The Finnish black metal scene continues to spawn some the most abrasive bands out there, resisting the temptation to incorporate epic choirs, orchestras and keyboards, instead focussing on gnarly aggression.

Azaghal are one of that flourishing scene, and by my reckoning they have been around for 20 years (and a few before that under another moniker) with this being their eleventh full length alongside numerous EPs and splits. During this tenure they have consistently straddled the fine line between unhinged belligerence and melody, and their latest release ‘Valo Pohjoisesta’ continues this to great effect.

Opening with haunting melodic piece ‘VLE’ sets a fitting atmosphere for the onslaught to follow which begins with ‘Mato Joka Sinut Turmelee’. A slow opening soon builds to an uncompromising auditory offensive, and in the blink of an eye, three minutes have passed as the track fades out, leaving title track ‘Valo Pohjoisesta’ to pick up the baton with its no nonsense battery.

‘Ajaton’ wastes no time, going for the jugular from the outset, but as the track builds, its rhythmic pummelling becomes more structured building to an epic finale. The hostility continues with ‘Ruumistie’ before ‘Argenteum Astrum’ allows a little more melody to permeate the blitz. ‘AIWASS’ keeps the melody in prominence but is no less devastating before the pace slows a little for portions of the oppressive ‘Sielujen YîssÑ’. The album is brought to a close by the intransigent ‘Ylistys’ and ‘Taivaan Käärme Nielee Auringon’.

This is an uncompromising release of confrontational, hostile black metal but rather than simply being a wall of poorly produced blast beats and wails, the production is good and there is just the right amount of melody buried within.

‘Valo Pohjoisesta’ is an outstanding black metal release – It doesn’t break boundaries or re-invent things, but what it does do, it does really well! Azaghal will be on our shores later this year and I for one will be there. If you enjoy extreme metal, and aren’t familiar with Azaghal, I recommend you either check out this album or get yourself along to one of their shows. See you there!

(Unfortunately the shows have been cancelled but the band are promising to reschedule asap Ed)

(8.5/10 Andy Pountney)

https://www.facebook.com/AzaghalTerrorCult

https://digital.immortalfrostproductions.com/album/valo-pohjoisesta

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