Frogskin/Lahdon Aika - Split 7"

Finland and doom are two words that fit together like Cheese and Toast. They're just meant to be! Both Frogskin and Lahdon Aika are completely new to me, but when an e-mail appeared in my inbox with a promo for this split attached, I was a little more than curious. I've been enjoying a lot of Svart/Ektro Records releases of late (when I've found the time to just sit and listen to stuff) and so was more than ready for this two-track record.

Frogskin started releasing music in 2005 and are nearly at the ten-year mark, as are Lahdon Aika, who released their first self-titled CD a year earlier. This split was released by three unknown (to me anyway) labels - Ramekuukkeli, 82-Records and Rusto-Osiris. Anyway, less talk and more doom!

Tracklisting:-

1. Frogskin - ITSE
2. Lahdon Aika - Hiljaisuus Kaikkialla

Begin with Frogskin and you’re greeted with some of the slowest/heaviest doom/sludge this side of Profetus! ITSE is a sprawling eight-minute slab of slithering, crawling noise that features deep riffs and hellish growls. Even the occasional flourishes of trebly guitar and organ can’t drag Frogskin up from their deep-water grave!

Lahdon Aika are not as suffocating as Frogskin and their contribution, Hiljaisuus Kaikkialla is more mid-paced. There’s stoner groove and a punk backbone to the song, while the lyrics are in Finnish. When they do break out the doom, they do so in a subtle way. It reminds me a little bit of fellow Finns Terveyskeskus (punk/hc) at times.

Both bands are portray their own ideas of doom/sludge in a unique way. Both bands are well worth hunting down and checking out if you like heavy music with character. Good stuff!

You can stream Lahdon Aika's side of the split via their bandcamp page here:-




You can buy the 7" in physical or digital form from the above page as well.

Also available from the labels via the links below:-

Rusto-Osiris - http://rusto-osiris.com/records
Ramekuukkeli - http://ramekuukkeli.nettisivu.org

Lahdon Aika Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lahdonaika
Frogskin Metal Archives - http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Frogskin
Rusto-Osiris Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rustoosiris
Ramekuukkeli Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rämekuukkeli-levyt
82-records (under construction) - http://www.82records.net