Following up their 2012 début album ‘Uljas Uusi Maailma’ with the 4 track EP ‘Musta Aurinko Nousee’, Finnish quintet Kuolemanlaakso (Finnish for “Death Valley”) comprising of founder and guitarist/keyboardist and main songwriter Laakso (Chaosweaver), vocalist Kotamäki (Swallow the Sun, Barren Earth), guitarist Kouta (Chaosweaver, ex-Verjnuarmu), bassist Usva (Elenium, The Nibiruan), and drummer Tiera (Discard, Cult of Endtime), show they are a great addition to the Finnish doom-death scene.
First song “Me vaellamme yössä” has a very Therion feel to it with orchestral elements in the background, deep chunky guitars, a throaty roar and steady beat. This nearly 5 minute version of the song appears to be an edited version of the one on their début and while I can’t say it’s lacking in any way I certainly wouldn’t have an issue with it being twice as long as it is here.
“Tulenväki” is a far more ambient black affair with raspy vocals, loads of keyboards for atmosphere but plenty of drum blasting to keep the measured guitar from becoming monotonous as they churn out their slow riffs.
The death metal track on the EP is “Kalmoskooppi” with its more conventional death vocals, fast guitar riffs and steady drum pounding over the quick footwork. After the bass bridge in the middle of the track it all slows down to become much darker and doomier but with a rather allegro keyboard to rouse the guitars back into a happier tone as it fades out.
Title track “Musta aurinko nousee” is a cover version of Finnish artist Juice Leskinen’s. Their version is a slowed down, down-tuned and exceedingly heavier version than the original, but beyond that all the guitar and keyboard are all there, along with a buzzy bass to make speakers rumble and deep clean vocals that would impress Pete Steele.
A great 20 minutes of music which I’m sure shall whet many an appetite for their next full length, even if you can’t understand a word of Finnish.
(7/10 – Marco Gaminara)
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