Horna / Musta Surma - Vihan Vuodet (2005)

This split release between Finnish black metal bands Horna and Musta Surma is a bit interesting since everything on it was previously released in an alternate form earlier. Originally in 2000 a 7" vinyl (lim. 500) split with two songs each was released while in 2002 a 12" vinyl (lim. 350) containing re-recordings of both bands demos appeared. Essentially this third split between these two bands is a collection of these earlier splits made available by American label Moribund Records.

The first two songs from Horna are from that early 7" and these songs are fairly standard mid-paced raw black metal Horna songs, somewhat catchy but ultimately not anything to get so wild about, while the next four songs are re-recordings from Horna's, 'Varjoissa' demo tape, which originally appeared in '95. I've never heard the original demo, but these re-recordings hardly sound new as the production is still ugly, filthy and about as raw as black metal usually gets without being intolerable to listen too. Again these songs are mostly mid-paced, repetitive, hypnotic, fuzzy, evil and totally black metal all the way, though the vocals are, well, just odd sounding. I guess I think of troll's when I hear them and normally I don't mind things getting a little troll-ish here and and there, but these vocals suck and that's really all that can said.

If truth should be told I actually bought this split for the Musta Surma songs, which back in 2005 a friend had strongly recommended the band to me based off of their appearance on the, 'Crushing the Holy Trinity' compilation, which I didn't pick up, stupidly... these here will have to do for now. Anyway, Musta Surma's first two songs are again taking from that 7" and although their style of mid-paced to speedier, sometimes slow and repetitive raw black metal is similar I'd have to say these guys greatly triumph over Horna this time. MS songs are fairly riff driven black metal compositions with typically raspy vocals as well as audible bass work and a good flow to each of these first two songs. Their last four songs from the 12" then are not really different at all, in fact the production is similar, although the guitar tone has a bit more reverb and harshness on the ear, but the same tempos and malevolent feeling remains.

This split is by no means a must hear, in fact its completely forgettable, but at the time of purchase (a few months ago) I was really feeling it for the rawer side of black metal and Horna in particular, and as always because both bands are Finnish too (and I need to hear more Finnish black metal). It serves as a decent look into Horna's past (which apparently sucks) where as this is the only release of Musta Surma's (which is quite good) that's readily available as I'm sure all the other EP's and compilations have long sold out (they never released any albums).