Finnish Metal

Baptism – V: The Devil’s Fire Review

By Grymm on July 19, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Black Metal, 6 comments

“We, as humans, tend to gravitate towards comfort. More often than not, we settle into a nice daily routine, indulge in the same foods, listen to the same bands over and over again, etc. Sure, we can sometimes venture out of our comfortable norms and find some new, exciting things to fawn over, but we have our own little bubbles and dang-nammit, we ain’t leavin’ them! One of those things that has grown comfortable as of late is the variety (or lack thereof) of black metal as a whole.” Bubbles? Bubbles?? I’m the Prince of fookin’ Darkness!

Sink – Ark of Contempt and Anger Review

By Madam X on June 20, 2016 in 2016, Drone, Finnish Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Svart Records, Drone, Non-metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Progressive Rock, 45 comments

“Just like death and taxes, you can count on Svart Records to artfully bestow the weird and the wonderful. Ark of Contempt and Anger’s promo blurb begins by saying that ‘Sink have once again created an oddly compelling and strangely enchanting album that is truly in a league of its own.’ Add to that, Sink promises rich and complex compositions woven with enigmatic lyrics, and I’ll admit I had a hard time resisting this.” Plus there’s a cute dog on the cover!

Vuolla – Blood. Stone. Sun. Down. Review

By Roquentin on June 2, 2016 in 2016, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, Post-Rock, Reviews, Schwarzdorn Production, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Melodic Metal, 25 comments

“In the case of Finnish five-piece Vuolla, nomen really est omen. Their name, which translates as “carve” or “whittle,” is an apt symbol of the group’s reductive and appropriating approach. As they chisel away at a body of work developed from various genres, from post-rock to death metal, it’s difficult to ignore that the essence of their sound is still based in a rehashed version of melancholic doom metal.” Turn loose the sads.

Sleep of Monsters – Poison Garden Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on May 28, 2016 in 2016, Finnish Metal, Gothic Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Svart Records, Gothic Metal, 17 comments

“Despite picking up plenty of positive press for their debut Produces Reason a couple of years ago (including a glowing review from yours truly), Sleep of Monsters don’t seem to have penetrated far into the metal public’s collective consciousness. Comprising former members of underrated Finnish goth rockers Babylon Whores, overrated Finnish goth rockers HIM, and a host of other decorated musicians, Sleep of Monsters go beyond the narrow confines inhabited by the aforementioned acts, incorporating all manner of different musical ideas into their remarkably coherent overall sound.” Don’t sleep on these monsters.

Lord Vicar – Gates of Flesh Review

By Steel Druhm on May 26, 2016 in 2016, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, The Church Within Records, Doom Metal, 19 comments

“Lord Vicar has been banging about for a while without a lot of press, which is strange considering they’re a doom super group of sorts. In their ranks you’ll find former members of Saint Vitus and Reverend Bizarre and they definitely know a thing or two about their chosen genre. 2011s Signs of Osiris was a sleeper that fell through the AMG cracks and didn’t get reviewed but should be heard as there’s much to admire in their earnest, throwback approach to the days of Witchfinder General, Pentagram and Black Sabbath.” Superdoom? Well call me McLovin!

Cardinals Folly – Holocaust of Ecstasy and Freedom Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on May 25, 2016 in 2016, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Shadow Kingdom Records, Doom Metal, 26 comments

“It seems like only yesterday I was writing clichés sitting on a balcony overlooking the idyllic Okinawan sea, sweat streaming down my balls, and Cardinals Folly’s second album blaring from my headphones as I tackled my first Angry Metal Guy review. But of course it wasn’t yesterday, it was nearly two years ago, and since then much has changed.” Not all of it for the better.

Behexen – The Poisonous Path Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 24, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Debemur Morti, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 14 comments

“Former AMG writer, Natalie Zed, described Behexen in her Nightside Emanations review as a second-wave black metal band. Nothing more, nothing less. And, in all honesty, that is exactly what they are. But, Behexen are not only innovators of the style, but are also damn good at it.” Innovation be damned.

Vainaja – Verenvalaja Review

By Grymm on May 17, 2016 in 2016, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Svart Records, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 76 comments

“In 2014, Finnish three-headed beast Vainaja dropped a megaton bomb in the form of Kadotetut, leveling the ears of those who bore witness to their hymns, and placing themselves in a comfortable 3rd place spot on my year-end list with their mix of Celtic Frosty atmospherics and Asphyxiating tremolo doom. The story of a long-lost book of desecrations, sacrificial rites, and other blasphemous acts set to a bone-crushing doom/death backdrop, was both addictive and effective. Two years later, another tome has been unearthed.” Books cause nothing but trouble.

Whispered – Metsutan: Songs of the Void Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on May 14, 2016 in 2016, Finnish Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Redhouse Finland Music Publishing, Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 38 comments

“Remember when Tom Cruise got cast as The Last Samurai in 2003? Some people on the Internet really do, and take time out of what must be a rich and fulfilling life to vomit up prose so salty it gives Dutch licorice a run for its money. Naturally it’s made into a sociopolitical issue, but I’m going to leave that alone because I’m not a fifth-rate hack who feels compelled to use the metal blog I write for as a soapbox to spew typo-laden opinions on contemporary politics and the like. Anyway, Mr. Cruise remained The Last Samurai for about a year, because in 2004 Finnish Samurai metal band Whispered came into existence.” Eat it, Tommy!

Teloch – Thus Darkness Spake Review

By Grymm on May 10, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Saturnal Records, Black Metal, 3 comments

“Progress can be a hard thing to accept. Whether you’re talking about laws being made, a review being worked on, or something just as simple as changing up your daily routine, throwing any type of wrench into the gears to liven things up a bit can be met with an unreasonable amount of resistance from certain people. Case in point? Finland’s Teloch.” Progress is for posers!