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Album Review – Battle Beast / Steelbound (2025)

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Finland’s own Heavy Metal powerhouse storms forward with unrelenting force armed with their seventh studio album, moving fluently between classic metal, superpowered synthesizers, and symphonic realms.

Three years after the critically acclaimed Circus of Doom, Finnish Heavy/Power Metal/Hard Rock powerhouse Battle Beast storms forward with unrelenting force, dropping their electrifying, highly anticipated seventh studio album, entitled Steelbound. Produced and mixed by Janne Björkroth at JKB Studios, and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios, the new opus by the indomitable frontwoman Noora Louhimo, guitarists Joona Björkroth and Juuso Soinio, bassist Eero Sipilä, keyboardist Janne Björkroth, and drummer Pyry Vikki moves fluently between classic metal, superpowered synthesizers, and symphonic realms, even embracing ’80s-tinged Hard Rock, resulting in a musical palette that’s powerful, engaging, and, above all, extremely fun.

Those talented and unstoppable Finnish rockers kick off another thrilling metal party with The Burning Within, offering their incendiary blend of Heavy Metal with 80’s Hard rock always boosted by Noora’s undisputed soaring vocals, followed by Here We Are, one of the singles previously released by the band which sees Janne kicking ass as usual on keys, giving the song the band’s trademark dancing vibe; whereas the title-track Steelbound sounds absolutely upbeat, with Joona and Juuso’s riffs walking hand in hand with the whimsical keys by Janne. Twilight Cabaret is another song that reeks of Battle Beast, with Noora melting our faces as usual with her hypnotic vocals supported by Pyry’s classic beats; and let’s say Battle Beast are one of the very few bands that can make happy music sound so badass like Last Goodbye thanks to Noora’s powerful vocals, while their guitars sound as electrified as they can be supported by Eero’s thunderous bass.

The second half of the album begins with the cinematic interlude The Long Road, setting the stage for the band to crush us all with Blood Of Heroes, as epic as it is imposing, bringing elements from Viking and Power Metal to their core sound, with all background vocals supporting the battle-like screams by Noora in great fashion. Joona and Juuso rev up the band’s metal engine in Angel Of Midnight, also fully inspired by 80’s rock and metal music, a radio-friendly tune that will surely please all fans of the band; and let’s keep jumping up and down and dancing with Battle Beast in Riders Of The Storm, absolutely futuristic and fun, like if it was taken from an afternoon adventure movie from the 80’s. Finally, the band closes the album on a high note with Watch The Sky Fall, a strong contender to make it to their live performances, where their guitar solos and striking keys bring an extra headbanging touch to the music.

In a nutshell, with Steelbound the band opens an exciting new chapter that offers some very heavy tracks, flirts with pop, unapologetic party anthems, and the empowering title song, or in other words, it is a thunderous monument of defiance and resilience, an earnest battle cry for all who have ever been dismissed, diminished, or silenced and also a big slab of positivity and joy. Hence, you can stay in touch with those marvelous Finnish warriors via Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their striking music on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of Steelbound by clicking HERE, throwing your worries into the next trash can during the album’s 38 minutes of duration, and sing, dance, headbang, or do whatever feels right to the sound of their undisputed heavy music.

Best moments of the album: The Burning Within, Last Goodbye and Watch The Sky Fall.

Worst moments of the album: Here We Are.

Released in 2025 Nuclear Blast Records

Track listing
1. The Burning Within 3:58
2. Here We Are 3:03
3. Steelbound 4:30
4. Twilight Cabaret 3:56
5. Last Goodbye 3:34
6. The Long Road 2:12
7. Blood Of Heroes 4:06
8. Angel Of Midnight 3:27
9. Riders Of The Storm 3:51
10. Watch The Sky Fall 4:31

Band members
Noora Louhimo – vocals
Joona Björkroth – guitars, backing vocals
Juuso Soinio – rhythm guitars
Eero Sipilä – bass, backing vocals
Janne Björkroth – keyboards, orchestrations, backing vocals
Pyry Vikki – drums

Album Review – Enragement / Extinguish All Existence (2025)

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Playing their own blend of Technical and Brutal Death Metal, this Finnish entity will extinguish all existence to the sound of their invigorating and powerful new album.

Playing their own blend of Technical and Brutal Death Metal that’s insanely heavy and yet incredibly varied, Helsinki, Finland-based entity Enragement returns with their fourth full-length beast, an invigorating, powerful expression that ticks all the boxes entitled Extinguish All Existence. Following up on their 2022 album Atrocities, and showcasing a sinister artwork by Daemorph Art, the new album by Atte Ojanne and Tuomas Iivanainen on vocals and guitars, Juhana Korkka Heinonen on vocals and bass, and Lasse Sannikka on drums is a striking depiction of the band’s raw power, aggression and versatility, cementing their name not only in the local Finnish scene, but also everywhere else in the world where the fusion of violence and dexterity is truly appreciated.

Lasse shows no mercy for our souls and begins blasting his drums in Vorarephilia, a demented onrush of Technical Death Metal boosted by the band’s deranged growls and screeches, and things get even more serious and intricate in Abyssal Hellscapes, with the strident guitar lines by Atte and Tuomas bringing an extra dosage of violence to the band’s already demonic sounds. Then a Doom Metal-infused intro morphs into another killer attack by Enragement titled Pathogenesis, where their sulfurous vociferations match perfectly with the finesse and rage flowing from their riffs and solos; whereas the quartet keeps smashing our frail bodies with their blend of Death Metal in Parasitic Ingress, with Lasse once again sounding inhumane behind his drums, followed by Harbingers of Degradation, one of the heaviest, most infuriated songs of the album while also presenting extremely detailed and complex lines, with Lasse stealing the spotlight with his ruthless drumming.

Vesuvius is perhaps the “weakest” of all songs, although it’s still a pulverizing display of the band’s core Technical Death Metal, and it’s pedal to the metal in the technical yet venomous Hypercarnivorous, with the guitar duel by Atte and Tuomas exhaling heaviness and intricacy in an overdose of sonic madness by those talented Finnish metallers. After that, an infuriated attack of harsh growls, blast beats and razor-edged riffs will penetrate deep inside your soul in Insectiferous Abomination, living up to the legacy of complex and violent extreme music, and it’s time to break our necks headbanging to the utterly heavy Natural Mass Asphyxiation, with Juhana and Lasse making sure the earth trembles to the sound of their vicious kitchen. Then we have the title-track Extinguish All Existence closing the album on the most demented note you can think of, where the entire band sounds infernally awesome and with Atte, Tuomas and Juhana bursting their lungs screaming in the name of Death Metal.

In a nutshell, Enragement have struck the right balance with Extinguish All Existence, making their album satisfying, interesting, and also hugely enjoyable, in special for admirers of the bestial music crafted by Cutterred Flesh, Devourment, Abominable Putridity, Blood Red Throne, Katalepsy, Benighted, and Aborted, just to name a few. You can find more details about such an amazing Finnish band on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their awesome music on Spotify, and above all that, show them your utmost support by purchasing their new album from their BandCamp or from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store. It’s time to extinguish all existence, and the music found in the new album by Enragement will most definitely work as a great soundtrack for the cleansing of our putrid and decaying world.

Best moments of the album: Abyssal Hellscapes, Harbingers of Degradation and Extinguish All Existence.

Worst moments of the album: Vesuvius.

Released in 2025 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. Vorarephilia 3:49
2. Abyssal Hellscapes 3:58
3. Pathogenesis 4:15
4. Parasitic Ingress 3:42
5. Harbingers of Degradation 3:37
6. Vesuvius 4:06
7. Hypercarnivorous 3:46
8. Insectiferous Abomination 3:49
9. Natural Mass Asphyxiation 3:34
10. Extinguish All Existence 5:22

Band members
Atte Ojanne – vocals, guitar
Tuomas Iivanainen – vocals, guitar
Juhana Korkka Heinonen – vocals, bass
Lasse Sannikka – drums

Album Review – Amorphis / Borderland (2025)

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Finland’s own Melodic Heavy Metal and Rock masters stand on the cusp of a compelling new chapter, fully embracing their melodic sensibilities while venturing into fresh, uncharted sonic landscapes.

A groundbreaking and genre-defying metal band still featuring its original lineup (with a few exceptionally talented additions) and only growing stronger with time, Helsinki, Finland’s own Melodic Heavy Metal/Rock masters Amorphis stand on the cusp of a compelling new chapter, the captivating Borderland, the impressive fifteenth studio album in their unrelenting 35-year journey. Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen at  Hansen Studios, and displaying a classy artwork by Marald van Haasteren, the new album by frontman Tomi Joutsen, guitarists Esa Holopainen and Tomi Koivusaari, bassist Olli-Pekka “Oppu” Laine, keyboardist Santeri Kallio, and drummer Jan Rechberger sees the band fully embracing their melodic sensibilities while venturing into fresh, uncharted sonic landscapes.

The band wastes no time and begins embellishing the airwaves with their blend of rock and metal in The Circle, with the guitars by Esa and Tomi transpiring melody, accompanied by the classic bass by Oppu; whereas the cinematic keys by Santeri are exactly what Tomi Joutsen needs to shine with both his clean vocals and deep guttural in Bones, a lecture in Progressive Metal by those veterans, followed by Dancing Shadow, another blast of classy metal music sounding modern yet deeply rooted in their own core essence, with Jan hammering his drums just the way we like it. Amorphis have mastered the art of mixing truly heavy sounds with ethereal, mesmerizing passages, which is the case in Fog to Fog, and their darkened feast goes on with The Strange, a mix of Gothic and Melodic Death Metal that sounds a bit generic if compared to the rest of the album.

The second half of the album begins with the also melodic and enfolding Tempest, with their acoustic guitars walking hand in hand with Santeri’s whimsical keys in a beautiful ballad by the boys. Light and Shadow is a song that perfectly depicts the present and future of Amorphis, with Tomi Joutsen once again leading his henchmen with his classic vocals and growls while the music remains as inspiring as it can be; and Esa and Tomi Koivusaari continue to fire their stylish riffs in The Lantern, sounding even atmospheric at times thanks to the beautiful keys by Santeri. The title-track Borderland brings forward the perfect fusion of all rock and metal styles found in their music, with Oppu and Jan making sure the ambience feels thunderous and groovy until the very last second, while lastly, they let their Melodic Doom Metal vein arise in the closing song Despair, with Tomi Joutsen stealing the show with a fantastic vocal performance.

With deep respect for the past and eyes firmly on the future, and with extensive touring ahead, Amorphis continue to shape the landscape of Heavy Metal with grace, finesse and integrity in Borderland. “After three and a half decades, we still follow our instincts,” commented guitarist Tomi Koivusaari. “And honestly, Borderland might be the most Amorphis-sounding album we’ve ever made. After such a long and successful career, that feels pretty damn great!” Those undisputed rock and metal veterans are waiting for you with more of their music, news and tour dates on Facebook and on Instagram, as well as on YouTube and on Spotify, and you can obviously put your damned hands on Borderland by clicking HERE, letting the melodious yet visceral sounds blasted by one of the most important bands to ever arise from the Nordic countries penetrate deep inside your metallic heart.

Best moments of the album: Bones, Light and Shadow and Borderland.

Worst moments of the album: The Strange.

Released in 2025 Reigning Phoenix Music

Track listing
1. The Circle 4:34
2. Bones 4:55
3. Dancing Shadow 4:58
4. Fog to Fog 5:28
5. The Strange 4:18
6. Tempest 5:20
7. Light and Shadow 4:17
8. The Lantern 4:59
9. Borderland 5:30
10. Despair 5:19

Band members
Tomi Joutsen – vocals
Esa Holopainen – guitars
Tomi Koivusaari – guitars
Olli-Pekka “Oppu” Laine – bass
Santeri Kallio – keyboards
Jan Rechberger – drums, percussion

Guest musician
Francesco Ferrini – orchestral arrangements, MIDI programming

Album Review – Deathgoat / Dragged Into Realms Below (2025)

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Regurgitated into existence in the 666th year of the goat, this Finnish horde strikes back with a rampaging beast spawned from the rotten womb of early Nordic Death Metal.

Regurgitated into existence in the 666th year of the goat (2015 in human years) to spread the lost ancient art of Death Metal, Hyvinkää, Uusimaa, Finland-based horde Deathgoat is back in action four years after their debut Regurgitated Into Existence with their sophomore offering, entitled Dragged Into Realms Below. Adorned in the masterful artwork of Bram Bruyneel (Officium Triste, Hideous Divinity), the new opus by vocalist Putrid Worm, guitarists Vicar Miggoat and Nihilist, bassist L.F. Molestor, and drummer Chope666 is a rampaging beast spawned from the rotten womb of early Nordic death, being highly recommended for fans of the putrid sounds blasted by Dismember, Entombed, Vomitory, and Chaos Breed, just to name a few.

Like a demonic entity arising from the pits of hell, the quintet delivers a Doom Metal-inspired intro in Alkulima, a beyond devilish, sluggish and grim warmup for Pestilent Retribution, a no shenanigans, infernal slab of Death Metal made in Finland where Putrid Worm lives up to his own moniker through his vile, gory guttural. Vicar Miggoat and Nihilist continue to extract pure evil from their stringed axes in Congregation of Disease, inviting us all to dive into the mosh pit manically, followed by Dying to Be Dead, and a name like that deserved the most destructive form of Death Metal imaginable, which is what Deathgoat offer us all from start to finish, with Chope666 blasting his drums in the name of violence and hatred.

Compulsive Cannibalism is another song displaying a charming and peaceful name, with Putrid Worm once again leading his demonic crew with his deep, rabid vociferations, whereas Monoxcide sounds even more demented and ruthless than its predecessors, with Chope666 stealing the spotlight with an infernal performance behind his drums. Then it’s total anarchy and destruction in Flashback Psychosis, one of the fastest and heaviest of all songs, with the Death Metal riff attack by Vicar Miggoat and Nihilist sounding and feeling absolutely brutal. The metallic, evil bass by L.F. Molestor will smash your cranial skull in Clinically Undead before his bandmates come ripping in another demolishing exhibit of death and violence, whereas lastly let’s raise our horns one final time with Deathgoat to the title-track Dragged into Realms Below, bringing forward an avalanche of evil riffs and demented blast beats.

When the out of control hearse by Deathgoat comes careering out of the night this summer, be prepared for total annihilation, proving why the band is fast becoming a byword for brilliance when it comes to supreme old school Death Metal. Hence, if you want to become part of their more-than-special horde of headbanging bastards, you can start following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their wicked music on Spotify, and of course purchase a copy of Dragged Into Realms Below from the Xtreem Music’s BandCamp. Deathgoat do not carry their name in vain, as those Finnish death metallers are always ready to crush our damned skulls with their infuriated blend of Death Metal just like what they have to offer in their incendiary new album, and of course, always in the name of the goat.

Best moments of the album: Pestilent Retribution, Dying to Be Dead and Flashback Psychosis.

Worst moments of the album: Clinically Undead.

Released in 2025 Xtreem Music

Track listing
1. Alkulima 3:31
2. Pestilent Retribution 3:18
3. Congregation of Disease 4:24
4. Dying to Be Dead 3:50
5. Compulsive Cannibalism 4:33
6. Monoxcide 3:22
7. Flashback Psychosis 2:54
8. Clinically Undead 4:39
9. Dragged into Realms Below 5:01

Band members
Putrid Worm – vocals
Vicar Miggoat – guitars
Nihilist – guitars, backing vocals
L.F. Molestor – bass
Chope666 – drums

Album Review – Exhalus / Inexorable Decay EP (2025)

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An unpredictable Drone and Doom Metal entity from Finland returns with a beyond unique EP, featuring the raw, repetitive structures that have always been its core while also pushing into a more progressive direction.

Hailing from Lohja, a town in Finland located in the southern interior of the country (and home of a statue of the world’s saddest miner), Experimental/Progressive Drone/Doom Metal project Exhalus, the brainchild of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mircea Purdea, will darken your minds with its newborn EP, entitled Inexorable Decay, the follow-up to the 2022 album Failed Rituals to Ascend. Featuring the raw, repetitive structures that have been the core of Exhalus music throughout its 19 years of existence while also pushing into a more progressive direction, the EP is perhaps the project’s most experimental one yet. Furthermore, while it’s not the first one to use synthesized clean vocals, it’s the first that uses them this extensively, giving an extra touch of uniqueness to the whole album when compared to all of its previous releases.

The opening track Erosion sounds utterly sluggish, vile and disturbing from the very first second, with its deep gnarls and sharp riffage working as the soundtrack to a grim horror movie, followed by Vortex, offering a weird, unique fusion of metallic and groovy guitars and bass with eerie vocalizations, or in other words, it’s the epitome of Experimental Drone and Doom Metal. Mircea keeps hammering his guitar and bass in Grinder, again blending the past, present and future of experimental music while also presenting massive beats that add an extra dosage of heaviness to the overall result. Surrender continues from where the previous song ended, bringing to our avid ears wicked guitar lines and a complete sense of lunacy and despair during its three instrumental minutes; and last but not least, the EP ends with Faded, setting a serene mood to the sound of the piano that remains until the very end.

In the end, while at its core the music still had the approach of Drone Metal and the misery of Doom Metal, the structure became more and more progressive, with most songs on the EP not even being considered metal (if there’s a limit to what metal can be). Hence, if you want to know more about this uncanny entity from the land of ice and snow, you can find Exhalus on Facebook, stream more of its music on Spotify, and purchase a copy of Inexorable Decay from BandCamp (keeping in mind the CD digipak version of the album is limited to 50 copies only). No one knows what’s next for Exhalus, and I dare to say not even Mircea Purdea, keeping the project as fresh and vibrant as it’s mysterious and unpredictable, exactly how the fusion of Drone and Doom Metal shall always be.

Best moments of the album: Erosion and Grinder.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. Erosion 2:43
2. Vortex 2:24
3. Grinder 3:26
4. Surrender 3:18
5. Faded 2:31

Band members
Mircea Purdea – vocals, all instruments

Guest musicians
Topias Jokipii – vocals on “Erosion”
Chris Kembry – guitars on “Faded”

Album Review – Putrid Defecation / Tales from the Toilet (2025)

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The debut album by these Finnish Brutal Death Metal newcomers delivers seven tracks that embody the unapologetically brutal themes and aggressive soundscapes characteristic of the toilet slam genre.

Originally envisioned as a one-man project in 2019, Espoo, Finland’s own Brutal Death Metal/Deathslam newcomers Putrid Defecation are set to unleash upon humanity their debut opus, titled Tales from the Toilet, showcasing the band’s raw intensity, moving beyond the programmed drums of earlier works to feature a complete recording lineup. Mixed by Atte Karm, mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege, and with a perverse, gory artwork by Lucker Riquelme, the album delivers seven tracks that embody the unapologetically brutal themes and aggressive soundscapes characteristic of the toilet slam genre, all carefully crafted by vocalist Joona Pätsikkä (who unfortunately left the band in November 2024), guitarists Peter Halin and Petteri Sillanpää, bassist Johnny Grinds and drummer Alpo Laitinen, being therefore recommended for fans of Cumbeast, Torsofuck, Cerebral Incubation, and Monumental Discharge.

Introduction to Constipation is a brutal slab of Death Metal overflowing gore and madness from Joona’s deep gutturals, whereas the guitars by Peter and Petteri will inspire you for some sick slamming in Airborne Backdoor Evacuation, supported by the ruthless drums by Alpo, followed by Whirlwind of Excrement, another three minute onrush of putrid sounds led by the gruesome gnarls by Joona. Then a weird intro evolves into more of their trademark Brutal Death Metal in Unremitting Hematochezia, with the sound of their guitars exhaling violence yet feeling very melodious.

Not only the title-track Tales from the Toilet is the longest of all songs, but it’s also the most dynamic, with the pounding drums by Alpo inspiring us all to slam like true bastards, followed by Impending Anal Leakage, a one minute demented assault with the guest vocals by Jori Kemppi of Discreant and Aleksi Kiianlehto of What Awaits Us being absolutely demented; and of course the album ends with more brutality and gore in Erfurt Latrine Disaster, with Johnny blasting his bass manically while Joona keeps vomiting the song’s depraved words.

As gory and putrid as it is technical and vibrant, Tales from the Toilet is definitely an album not recommended for the lighthearted, bringing to our ears an overdose of violence crafted with endless fury and blood by those talented Finnish rockers. If you want to get your hands dirty with the music by Putrid Defecation, you can stream their wicked creations on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course purchase their new album from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. Don’t forget to also give them a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, but you better be warned that once you’re caught in a mosh of toilet slam, your soul will become so grimy and smelly you will never be able to leave their cesspool of filth.

Best moments of the album: Airborne Backdoor Evacuation and Tales from the Toilet.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Stadin Rec

Track listing
1. Introduction to Constipation 1:29
2. Airborne Backdoor Evacuation 3:05
3. Whirlwind of Excrement 2:58
4. Unremitting Hematochezia 3:03
5. Tales from the Toilet 3:55
6. Impending Anal Leakage 0:56
7. Erfurt Latrine Disaster 3:11

Band members
Joona Pätsikkä – vocals
Peter Halin – guitar
Petteri Sillanpää – guitar
Johnny Grinds – bass
Alpo Laitinen – drums, vocals

Guest musicians
Jori Kemppi – vocals on “Impending Anal Leakage”
Aleksi Kiianlehto – vocals on “Impending Anal Leakage”

Album Review – Barathrum / Überkill (2024)

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Behold this beast of an album by one of Finland’s very first Black Metal bands that proves why they are eternal.

Formed in the distant year of 1991 in the land of ice and snow, Helsinki, Finland-based Black/Doom Metal horde Barathrum needs no introduction, remaining as one of Finland’s very first Black Metal bands and, more importantly, one of the longest-running. Now seven years after the release of their 2017 beast Fanatiko, the band comprised of Demonos Sova on vocals, Ruttokieli on lead guitars, Nuklear Tormentörr on bass, and Vendetta on drums returns in full force with their tenth studio album, the highly anticipated metal attack titled Überkill. A no shenanigans, in-your-face blast of extreme music, Überkill proves that the Finns are, above all, a very great Heavy Metal band, just one that’s jet-black, ass-kicking, and bass-driven as fuck. Simple-yet-sublime pleasures, now and forever. Again, Barathrum are eternal!

Death by Steel is absolutely dark and evil from the very first second, with the dirty riffs by Ruttokieli infesting the atmosphere before Demonos Sova attacks with his demonic gnarls; and blending the obscurity of Black Metal with Hardcore and Rock N’ Roll, the band offers the headbanging Mountain of Bones, led by the classic drumming by Vendetta, whereas a wicked intro gradually morphs into the harsh, metallic feast titled Spark Plugs of Purgatory, again with Demonos Sova crushing our damned souls with his goblin-like vociferations. More of their infernal Punk Rock-infused riffs will penetrate deep inside your dirty mind in Black Magick Rites, while Nuklear Tormentörr and Vendetta craft a rumbling base with their respective bass and drums, and investing in a much darker sound we have Ritual Murder, with Nuklear Tormentörr hammering his bass manically until the music evolves into an absolute chaotic vibe perfect for slamming into the pit.

White Red Black and Pale is another rock and metal extravaganza by those Finnish blasphemers led by the venomous gnarls by Demonos Sova, sounding slow, steady and evil from start to finish, followed by Denial of God, a beautiful name for another impious tune by Barathrum, offering our putrid ears an overdose of harsh sounds while Vendetta pounds his drums in the name of old school Black and Thrash Metal. It’s then time for seven minutes of sheer obscurity and blasphemy in the form of Dark Sorceress, where the cryptic, ritualistic vocals by Demonos Sova match flawlessly with the Doom Metal-inspired sounds blasted by his bandmates, and closing the album we’re treated to the venomous sounds of the title-track Überkill, oozing Barathrum from the very first second, with Ruttokieli stealing the spotlight armed with his wicked, scorching riffs.

Evil has many forms as people like to say, and after listening to Überkill you’ll quickly realize Barathrum are definitely one of the manifestations of everything that’s immoral, sinful and blasphemous. That means they more than nailed it with Überkill, and if you want to join one of the most important hordes in the history of Finnish Black Metal you can start following the band on Facebook, stream their hellish creations on Spotify or any other streaming service, and above all that, purchase their incendiary new spawn from their own BandCamp page or from the KVLT shop. Überkill is the perfect example as to why Barathrum are still alive and kicking (and therefore haunting our damned souls) after so many decades, and I bet those devilish creatures will keep on decimating us all with their undisputed extreme music for many years to come with amazing albums like their newborn beast.

Best moments of the album: Spark Plugs of Purgatory, Ritual Murder and Überkill.

Worst moments of the album: White Red Black and Pale.

Released in 2024 Hammer of Hate

Track listing
1. Death by Steel 4:32
2. Mountain of Bones 4:33
3. Spark Plugs of Purgatory 4:00
4. Black Magick Rites 3:22
5. Ritual Murder 3:44
6. White Red Black and Pale 4:24
7. Denial of God 3:45
8. Dark Sorceress 7:06
9. Überkill 4:59

Band members
Demonos Sova – vocals
Ruttokieli – lead guitars, backing vocals
Nuklear Tormentörr – bass
Vendetta – drums

Guest musicians
Grimharm – bass, backing vocals (live)
Naz – guitars (live)

Album Review – The Last Prophecy / Hate Is My Mentor EP (2023)

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A young, rising Melodic Death/Thrash Metal band from Finland will kick you in the head to the sound of their new EP, sounding faster, heavier and more ferocious than ever.

A young, rising Melodic Death/Thrash Metal band formed in early 2021 in Espoo, Finland, the four-piece act known as The Last Prophecy has been connecting the best bits of Thrash Metal and Melodeath since their inception, crafting their own sound while also honoring their main influences including In Flames and Children Of Bodom. Now in 2023 the quartet formed of Joakim Haahtela on vocals and guitars, Petteri Karinen also on the guitars, Saku Kivirinne on bass, and Henri Toropainen on drums unleashed upon us a 25-minute EP titled Hate Is My Mentor, sounding faster, heavier and more ferocious than ever, with the mixing and mastering by the band’s own Petteri and Henri and the artwork by @dodolokstrom bringing an extra touch of insanity to the album, therefore positioning the band as one of the must-see new names of the current Finnish scene.

The guitars by Joakim and Petteri bring the noise to the opening tune Deranged, slashing our ears in great fashion in the name of Melodic Death Metal supported by the pounding drums by Henri; whereas Dead Forever is even groovier and heavier thanks to the rumbling kitchen blasted by Saku and Henri, or in other words, it’s an amazing option to slam into the pit while Joakim vociferates rabidly. Then drinking from the same fountain as Scandinavian giants the likes of Soilwork, In Flames and Arch Enemy (while also adding their own Death Metal twist to the overall result), we have Dark Sky of the Dawn, where another amazing guitar job by Joakim and Petteri keeps the song’s energy level truly high; followed by the title-track Hate Is My Mentor, which beings in a serene manner before evolving into another classy Melodic Death Metal feast, showcasing dark lyrics (“Restless soul in darkness / Waiting for salvation / World’s turning its back / Sing the song of death / While holding your breath / Aid is never here / It’s a one-way path / Light has passed away / This is the last day”) amidst a neck-breaking sonority. Finally, closing the EP the quartet offers us all Course of War, again delivering their usual incendiary riffage while Henri dictates the pace with his intricate and hammering drums.

Such fun and vibrant EP is available in its entirety on Youtube and on Spotify, and of course if you want to show the guys from The Last Prophecy how much you enjoy their music you can give them a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, and purchase a copy of Hate Is My Mentor from Apple Music or by clicking HERE. The EP already gives the listener a very good idea of how exciting the music by The Last Prophecy is, and now those Finnish metallers have the mission of delivering an even bolder, faster and heavier full-length album in the near future. Well, I’m sure they’ll get there even if it’s hard to beat the quality of the songs from Hate Is My Mentor, don’t you agree?

Best moments of the album: Dead Forever and Dark Sky of the Dawn.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Independent

Track listing
1. Deranged 3:52
2. Dead Forever 5:56
3. Dark Sky of the Dawn 3:42
4. Hate Is My Mentor 6:13
5. Course of War 5:34

Band members
Joakim Haahtela – vocals, guitars
Petteri Karinen – guitars
Saku Kivirinne – bass
Henri Toropainen – drums

Album Review – BloodBlind / False Light EP (2021)

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Light, darkness and ass-kicking metal music. That’s exactly what this Finnish band has to offer us all in their new EP.

3.0rating

bloodblind-false-light-ep-2021Recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered by Niila Perkkiö at Sniper Sounds, the fast and melodic False Light, the brand new EP by Helsinki, Finland-based Heavy/Groove Metal unity BloodBlind, picks up where they left after going on a two-year hiatus shortly after the release of their 2017 self-titled debut EP, while at the same time offering us fans a fresher and more dynamic sound thanks to the excellent job done by Tommi Kokko on vocals, Joni Halmetoja (Rottendawn, Legacy) and Marko Lundahl (Six Inch, Korpsesoturi) on the guitars, Janne Saksola on bass and backing vocals, and Frank Fagerström on drums. In other words, if you enjoy the heavy, groovy and melodic metal music made not only Finland, but also from the entire Scandinavia, you must take a listen at the new EP brought forth by those skillful musicians from the land of ice and snow.

The whimsical keys, violin and cello by guests Kelly Walsh, Oona Yliperttula and Suvi Lehtimäki, respectively, in the intro Lucem Ac Tenebras (or “light and darkness” from Latin) will put you in a trance before BloodBlind begin their wicked metal feast in [Redacted], where the headbanging, visceral riffs by Joni and Marko are effectively accompanied by the pounding drums by Frank, blending the fury and groove of bands the likes of At The Gates and Lamb Of God. Then the sick bass jabs by Janne will invite you to slam into the circle pit to the Punk Metal-infused tune Hits and Blood, with Tommi roaring and screaming nonstop like a demented creature. Furthermore, this metallic composition is thrilling and electrifying from start to finish, also showcasing classic guitar solos and, of course, bringing rage to our damned hearts. Lastly, leaning towards the trademark sound from countless Finnish Melodic Death Metal acts, the title-track False Light keeps the EP moving forward at full speed, with the heavy beats by Frank dictating the pace while supporting Tommi with his vocal attack until the very last second.

bloodblind-2021If heavy music is your business (and business is good), you can enjoy False Light in its entirety on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course the best way to support underground metal is by purchasing your favorite format of the EP by clicking HERE. Also, don’t forget to show the guys from BloodBlind your love and tell them how much you like their music by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, and also to subscribe to their YouTube channel for more of their high-octane music. The term “false light” might mean an untrue or misleading portrayal, but that’s not what BloodBlind have to offer us in their new EP; quite the contrary, it’s ass-kicking metal music with no filters nor any artificial elements, staying true to their roots and, consequently, pointing to a bright future ahead of those unrelenting musicians.

Best moments of the album: Hits and Blood.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2021 Independent

Track listing 
1. Lucem Ac Tenebras 1:22
2. [Redacted] 4:42
3. Hits and Blood 2:08
4. False Light 4:46

Band members
Tommi Kokko – vocals
Joni Halmetoja – guitar
Marko Lundahl – guitar
Janne Saksola – bass, vocals
Frank Fagerström – drums

Guest musicians
Kelly Walsh – piano and synths on “Lucem Ac Tenebras”
Oona Yliperttula – violin on “Lucem Ac Tenebras”
Suvi Lehtimäki – cello on “Lucem Ac Tenebras”

Album Review – Lord Of Pagathorn / Age Of Curse (2021)

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This unrelenting horde is ready to strike again with their newborn spawn of vicious, death-reaping Finnish Black Metal.

3.5rating

lord-of-pagathorn-age-of-curse-2021Hailing from Finland’s capital Helsinki, the unrelenting Black Metal horde that goes by the name of Lord Of Pagathorn is ready to strike again with their newborn spawn, entitled Age Of Curse, bringing to our ears eight original songs of death-reaping Finnish Black Metal crafted by vocalist and guitarist Corpselord, guitarist Skrubb, bassist Ronitor and drummer Skalder. Recorded by the band’s own Ronitor, who was also responsible for the album’s sick artwork, and mixed and mastered by Trollhorn (aka Henri Sorvali) at Trollhouse Audio, Age Of Curse is Lord Of Pagathorn’s most detailed and cohesive opus since the band’s inception in the distant year of 1992 in the city of Rovaniemi, showing those black metallers still have a lot of fire to burn in their path of evil and darkness.

A cryptic, sinister intro titled Burning Ominous Words sets the stage for the Finnish quartet to kill in Baneful Curse To Destroy Them All, with Corpselord and Skrubb delivering old school Black Metal riffs while Skalder hammers his drums nonstop. Put differently, it couldn’t have sounded rawer, more devilish nor more traditional than this, and continuing their feast of pure malignancy, Corpselord leads his infernal horde with his wicked gnarls while Ronitor and Skalder will make your head tremble with their hellish kitchen in Conqueror of Im-Kharasak. Then slowing things down a bit and adding a visceral dosage of Doom Metal to their core madness, the band fires the headbanging Insatiability of Man, with Ronitor’s bass jabs supporting the strident guitars by Corpselord and Skrubb; whereas their Black Magic-infused riffage will pierce our souls mercilessly in Over Throned, while Skalder dictates the pace through his intricate yet bestial beats in an awesome display of pure Black Metal.

The title-track Age of Curse is a lecture in old school, unfiltered Black Metal by Lord Of Pagathorn, with the band’s guitar duo being in total (and infernal) sync with Skalder’s drums, not to mention how vile the screeches and roars by Corpselord are, and more of their spine-chilling sounds permeate the air in the venomous Crush The Holy Spirit, a nonstop hurricane of Black Metal riffs, beats and growls that will please all fans of classics the likes of Mayhem, Immortal and Marduk. There’s no time to breathe as the band’s Stygian onrush of sounds goes on in Prophecy of Androgyne Being, bringing to our avid ears more of Corpselord’s demonic screams amidst a pulverizing and melodic sonority. And last but not least, the gates of hell are wide open to the sound of the sluggish and grim Dragging in the Dust, another wicked Black Metal extravaganza spearheaded by the neck-breaking beats by Skalder, all spiced up by Doom Metal elements carefully inserted into the band’s trademark sound.

lord-of-pagathorn-2021You can easily join the Black Metal cult led by Lord Of Pagathorn by following the band on Facebook, but of course if you want to prove to the entire world you’re a true servant of darkness you should purchase Age Of Curse (which is by the way available for a full listen on YouTube) from the Woodcut Records’ BandCamp page or webstore, as well as from Record Shop X or from Discogs. Lord Of Pagathorn are one of those bands that will always be loyal to the foundations of Black Metal, having followed the dark path since their very first demo released in 1993, and based on the sulfur and obscurity flowing from their excellent new opus I’m pretty sure the Black Metal scene in their homeland Finland will stand strong for decades to come.

Best moments of the album: Baneful Curse To Destroy Them All, Age of Curse and Crush The Holy Spirit.

Worst moments of the album: Insatiability of Man.

Released in 2021 Woodcut Records

Track listing   
1. Intro – Burning Ominous Words 1:36
2. Baneful Curse To Destroy Them All 3:15
3. Conqueror of Im-Kharasak 5:29
4. Insatiability of Man 5:06
5. Over Throned 6:23
6. Age of Curse 5:26
7. Crush The Holy Spirit 4:41
8. Prophecy of Androgyne Being 6:01
9. Dragging in the Dust 7:56

Band members
Corpselord – vocals, guitar
Skrubb – guitar
Ronitor – bass
Skalder – drums