Sotajumala - Teloitus (2007)

Usually strange, random and crazy occurrences happen to absolutely every single person out there, except me. Blame it on where I live, being to sheltered, working the graveyard shift at work... who the fuck knows, man?

However by some strange course of events about a year and some months ago I came into contact with the drummer of Sotajumala's wife who curiously wasn't Finnish, but in fact from Wisconsin, my humble abode. From there some sort of friendship was established, which lead me to meeting both drummer Timo and his wife (I'll keep her name secret) at Tuska back in July and once again having them over at my place when they were visiting friends and family in the USA. Of course, I made sure to pick up a Sotajumala album while over in Finland, and I'm quite glad I choose this one too, because, 'Teloitus' fucking rules!

For those that don't know Sotajumala is a death metal band that was formed in the late 90's in Jyväskylä, Finland who nowadays have three albums plus a few singles and splits behind them. Musically its probably safe to say that Sotajumala plays fairly standard modern day death metal, though all lyrics from the start have been wrote and then growled in Finnish to make their origin easily known.

The riffing style of Kosti Orbinski and Pete Lapio seems to mostly draw from the Morbid Angel pool with an onslaught of pummeling and brutalizing riffs that have character, depth and technicality plus absolutely killer solos that will peel your skin off. Vocalist Mynni Luukkainen's guttural roar leads this death metal assault, but like any good front man his voice shifts in pitch from ultra low growls, to fairly standard growls and to even some high pitched shrieks. Meanwhile, Tomi Otsala's bass work is actually audible and drummer, Timo Häkkinen does an absolutely excellent job behind the drum kit, always sounding tight with plenty creative patterns, fills and just sounding plain and simply brutal.

As I said earlier, Sotajumala is modern death metal, but that's hardly a bad thing because this music has such energy and drive behind it that its hard to resist. It reminds me of bands like Ulcerate, Behemoth and Zyklon and if you know those bands then you know they barely break any new ground, but they know how to make catchy, energetic, tight and hard driven awesome death metal. And Sotajumala does the same. Maybe even better (Will see when I get my hands on the other releases).

In the end this is definitely and obviously by this point a superb modern death metal release. Not mandatory if your a casual death metal listener, but if you fancy all things death metal or are just looking for another great Finnish band, then you surely can't go wrong with these guys.

Helrunar - Frostnacht (2005)

Since its release back in 2005, Helrunar's debut album, 'Frostnacht' has remained a constant favorite of mine and in my own opinion a bit of modern day black metal classic.

While admittedly not the most original in overall sound, this German based band draws a great deal of influence from Norwegian black metal, specifically Ulver's monumental, 'Bergtatt' and Taake's, 'Nattestid Ser Porten Vid.' Throughout the album the riffing is absolutely stunning with a phenomenal sense of melody and atmosphere which is just not found on that many releases. The ferocity and true spirit of black metal is very much present in this bands work too, although it seems to have a greater degree of energy and drive behind it all. Plus the production is quite good for a black metal release.

The Ulver connection is made by the fact that there are several quick acoustic parts within these black metal songs, as well as two purely instrumental acoustic songs, 'Neun Nächte' especially is quite possibly one of the best neo folk songs I've ever heard. However besides these two acoustic songs and the intro there are seven full on black metal songs, which absolutely destroy everything in their path. I love the way these songs shift between blasting energetic parts to more calmer melodic and atmospheric sections, which at least for me makes the whole thing incredibly catchy and easily accessible regardless of my mood.

I can honestly say its a bit hard to pick favorites from this album since all of it is so good and just flows perfectly, but the catchiness of a song like, '...bis die Seele gefriert' is superb or the hard driven and awesome riffing and harmonies within, 'Der Trank des Gehängten' are breathtaking. Likewise I often go to, 'Dreifach Dorn' when I have some frustrations to work out, 'Mimis Brunnr (Grátr Önnor)' when I'm really, really in the mood for something Ulver influenced and definitely the aforementioned, 'Neun Nächte' when I feel melancholy.

With that said I absolutely recommend this album to anyway and everyone that enjoys acoustic infused melodic Pagan black metal with brilliant guitar work, gorgeous melodies and a nearly unmatchable atmosphere.

Helrunar created a classic with this one, and although the follow-up, 'Baldr ok Íss' is quite good too, it seemed to just lack that extra bit of specialness. Earlier this year the band released their third album, 'Sól,' which I haven't gotten my hands on yet, but I surely should soon enough. 'till then.

Pantheïst - O Solitude (2003)

Antwerp, Belgium based, Pantheïst formed back in the beginning of 2000 by keyboardist/vocalist Kostas Panagiotou and quickly the demo, '1000 Years' was released. In 2003 alongside band members, Nicolas Tambuyser (guitars), Frederic Caure (bass) and Oscar Strik (drums) the bands debut, 'O Solitude' appeared.

Pantheïst writes long funeral doom metal songs played in a typical very slow tempo with more than enough misery and emptiness to go around. Heavily distorted downtuned sluggish guitars characterize the album and while they are mostly played at slow speeds there are some speedier moments, drum blasting and even some solos present. Acoustic guitars also make their appearance on the song, 'Don't Mourn,' which to me is one of the albums finest songs (all 14 minutes of it). 'O Solitude' is also largely synth based with beautiful orchestral cathedral-ish atmospheric synths, organs and piano enrichment, which creates a very dreamy and melancholy mood. In fact the atmosphere of this record is perfect. Its just one of those albums that works entirely too well on cold, gray rainy Autumn days.

Kostas' vocal work is superb since it switches between low growled howls to spoken passages, whispers and even some semi-operatic-ish sounding parts that just work perfectly with this sort of music. On the song, 'Envy Us' guest singer, Stijn van Cauter (mastermind behind, 'Until Death Overtakes Me') makes an appearance using a much slower and guttural roar and towards the end of the song has a sort of growled duet with Kostas, which is just bad ass sounding.

Although just five songs long, the entire record runs for fifty seven minutes and as it sometimes goes with this sort of music it tends to feel like one super long song. However I find that, 'Don't Mourn,' 'Time' and 'Curse the Morning Light' are truly stunning pieces of funeral doom.

For whatever reason I never followed Pantheïst past this album, which is weird, especially since I played this one a lot back when it first came out. Since then the bands relocated to England, changed members, and released three additional albums, which may very well be just as stunning as this debut.

SIG:AR:TYR - Beyond the North Winds (2008)

It goes without saying that Bathory's viking era of albums are among some of the most influential records ever conceived. I think its safe to say that if albums like, 'Hammerheart' or 'Twilight of the Gods' had never been created then its fairly likely to say that some of my favorite bands, such as; Moonsorrow, Enslaved or Falkenbach would have never existed.

SIG:AR:TYR, which is lead by its sole member, Daemonskald from Ontario, Canada is another example of a band drawing a great deal of influence from those old Bathory records and even Quorthon's final two Nordland releases.

'Beyond the North Winds,' the bands second album is a journey through expansive heathen lands that exudes an incredible atmosphere that's both somber, dark, heroic and optimistic pretty much all at once. The keyboards remain as a backing instrument throughout the entire record, but it works fine as it keeps the atmosphere rich and constantly interesting, while tons of acoustic passages merge with epic rhythmic electric guitar parts as well as some stunning solos which just soar and take your soul to a whole new level of being. As well, Daemonskald sings with a powerful and majestic clean voice, that's similar to Quorthon's, but surely more refined. Additionally some whispers are used, which adds a sort of mysterious quality to the music and some raspy black-ish metal vocals make an appearance too.

The lyrics center around Heathenism and Norse Mythology, which to me is always interesting to hear regardless of how many bands are doing it these days. Other notable things to mention is that the songs may at times seem to drag a little or become a little repetitive, but the feeling of something grand is always there. The production is always crisp and allows everything that Daemonskald has to offer come through cleanly.

In the end the Bathory influence is clear, but I think SIG:AR:TYR also draws influence from acts like Primordial, Enslaved and Falkenbach to form something that is definitely his own. As such, 'Beyond the North Winds' is definitely recommend to all you Heathen metal warriors our there or at least those that just appreciate rich atmospheric metal music.

A bit slow

You've no doubt noticed that things have been a bit slow around here. Well, I just haven't really had the motivation for writing lately (an unpleasant residual of doing this for over a decade) as well my good 'ol hearing condition (tinnitus) has been running amuck for some time now and honestly the type of music I usually review here doesn't sound very pleasant when that's happening. Besides that I've also been working on some artwork for a band, which will hopefully be finished soon and approved by them for future use. And finally because its Autumn now and this is my one of my favorite months of the year and I've been out enjoying the weather when I can. I'm sure there will be some updates later this month or shortly there after once it starts getting cold and grim outside. That's it.