Metal history is marked by the fusions between the features of the original core of the genre created back in the 70's with other musical ways. Today, it's hard to trace the origins by the year, and the fusions between Metal genres became a way for many to create different works, to be noted by fans avid for new things. Although the blend used by the Dutch quartet INTO THE ARCANE isn't new, the result heard on "Sleepless We Lie, Thoughtless We Cry" is really very good.

They music they create is a fine blend between Doom Death Metal with influences from Black Metal, spawning a brutal and slow form of Metal with creeping melodies. The technical level is not exaggerated, because the band's efforts are to create something bitter and climatic, with the right doses of musical aggressiveness. But their insight is different, and the final result is truly good. The sound quality of "Sleepless We Lie, Thoughtless We Cry" tries to balance the right amounts of aggressiveness, weight and clarity, but always keeping the depressive feeling. The instrumental tunes were chosen to be clean and defined, but with bitterness enough to keep the music sinister.

The album has good songs, and the catchy rhythm of "Sleepless We Lie, Thoughtless We Cry" (the guitar riffs are simple, but very good), the good tempo changes and darkened ambience of "My Other Self" and of "Reptilian Masquerade", the brutal and introspective "Thoughts on Breathing" (the contrast between aggressive moments and calm ones is very good), and the catchy guitars and vocals of "21, When I Died" are the best moments on the album.

They still have a way to go, but "Sleepless We Lie, Thoughtless We Cry" points that INTO THE ARCANE will be great.