Ihsahn, norveška black metal legenda i frontman jednog od najutjecajnijih black metal bendova ikada, Emperora, daleko je dogurao u svojoj solo karijeri. Nakon zadnja dva EP-a, evo nam i novog koji se sastoji od tri pjesme u prepoznatljivom Ihsahnovom miksu black metala i to njegove progresivnije verzije, kao i prog metala, rocka i odličnih klavijaturskih pasaža, kao što je i ovdje slučaj u pjesmi ‘Contorted Monuments’ koja je moj osobni favorit uz udarničku catchy ‘The Observer’ koja odlično miješa Ihsahnove black metal vokale sa clean odličnim glasom gosta Øysteina Heide Aadlanda. Ako se netko nadao da je Ihsahn stao ili počeo izdavati nekakvu mekanu glazbu vara se, ovo je ekstremni progresivni metal par excellence, sa ponekim elektroničkim izletom i catchy melodijom kao što je zarazna ‘Dom Andra’. Dakle, opet je riječ o odličnom EP-u, ali mislim da bi bilo već vrijeme za full length opus kojeg Ihsahn nije izdao od 2018. Siguran sam da će biti odličan, kao što su i zadnja tri EP-a.
Finnish scene is thriving with great releases and Kuoleman Galleria just released their fourth full length opus with Inverse Records. This new opus contains nine songs. Music of this band can be described as black metal, but more into black n roll side of things. The lyrics are in Finnish so I don’t understand what is being sung about, but let the music do the talking. The title song reminded me a bit of Einherjer’s Dragons of the north era, in rhythm and tempo, also in vibe. Kolmas has that wicked guitar melody that is at the same time sad and melancholic but also aggressive song structure. Vocals vary from black metal screaming, but pretty understandable in emphasizing words, to spoken word and even horror movie like whispering at some times. I put some song titles into translator, so I am sure there is a lot of self irony, dark humor and sarcasm present in the lyrics like in some other Finnish bands, with Sentenced coming to mind immediately. although there is no likeness in music whatsoever. This is fine piece of black n roll music from the North and I love and enjoy every single second of it.
Finnish cult band Mustan Kuun Lapset celebrates thirty years of existence and what better way to celebrate it than with new EP. This new opus contains three new songs and one rendition of old classic, one of the best known in their existence called ‘Morfiinisiivet ‘. This EP provides guest performances by for example, French professional cellistAxel Salmona, guitarist of the Norwegian metal band In the Woods... Kåre André Sletteberg, and Voice of Finland finalist and Before the Dawn vocalistPaavo Laapotti. Cello. piano and violin give richness and sweetness to dark music and darkness provided by this band. ‘Kirstunkantaja’ is a kind of instrumental intro, but ‘Muistoa kunnioittaen’ is a lesson in dark metal that only this band can do, mixture of perfect extreme black and death metal with melody and melancholy. Clean vocals interplay perfectly with growls and melodic heavy metal influenced hooks and passages, yet retaining enough darkness in the music. ‘On suruaika täytetty’ is for me the best song on this little opus, Paavo Laapotti delivering such great vocal performance as guest on this song, also violin and cello made goosebumps on my skin listening to this haunting melody and song as a whole. The new rendition of ‘Morfiinisiivet’ gave new vision and life to this anthem, thus finishing this celebratory EP. Great and best wishes!
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 