Cicutoxin/Necroslurg - Split 7"

Labels: Ramekuukkeli-Levyt

Formats: Vinyl

Release Date: 07 May 2019

Tracklist:

1. Cicutoxin - Mental Fog

2. Cicutoxin - A Decent Scum

3. Necroslurg - Messiaaninen Kirous

4. Necroslurg - Lyijysivellin

It's Saturday morning and I'm in that weird state between feeling hungover and not feeling hungover, if that makes sense? Reason being, I visited a brewery taproom in my home town yesterday and had a good time. Anyway, the release that I'm reviewing this morning will either banish my hangover just like a hair-of-the-fog would or make it worse (in a good way). This is the latest split release to come from Finnish label Ramekuukkeli-Levyt and features two bands that have been included on this blog before, all round heavy quintet Cicutoxin and heavy punk metal (their words) label-mates Necroslurg. Both bands contribute two songs to this split and it was kindly sent to me by Ramekuukkeli head honcho Tuukka.

I’ve long since been an admirer of Finnish heavy music and I love Cicutoxin’s brand of sludge, It’s got a great punk edge to it and their opening song here, Metal Fog is no exception. It sounds great on vinyl too. A Decent Scum is the longer of their two songs and it’s slower in tempo as a result. Definitely leaning more towards their doom/sludge influences The vocals are low and vicious growls while the drums put forth a terrifyingly slow beat to match the guitar/bass riffs. In terms of comparisons (if I have to make any), I’d put them next to countrymen Profetus maybe, albeit a faster version though I'm probably way off here. Great stuff that proves that the portal to hell exists and that it’s grounded in Finland.

Necroslurg on the b-side of this split present as faster approach on Messiaaninen Kirous. Like the blackened punk of bands like Darkthrone and (earlier)Entombed, mixed with the audaciousness of Turbonegro is how I’d describe them here. Pure aggressive punk fuelled heavy metal with raging vox. Lyijysivellin is no different and the fact that Necroslurg, as with previous releases, sing entirely in their native tongue adds to the effectiveness of their music. Intense while not being overpowering, there’s a simplicity to it that makes it super catchy. 

This split is over in no time, which is both positive and negative. Positive because it’ll make you put it on repeat but negative because you’ll no doubt be yearning for more from both bands after hearing it. Once again, a short sharp showcase of the chaotic noise that Finland has to offer in 2019. Great job and long may both bands and Ramekuukkeli-Levyt continue to support and produce it.

You can stream both of Necroslurg's tracks via Youtube below:-

Cicutoxin - https://www.facebook.com/Cicutoxin

Necroslurg - https://www.facebook.com/Necroslurg/

You can buy copies via Ramekuukkeli-Levyt here - http://ramekuukkeli.nettisivu.org

Ramekuukkeli-Levyt - https://www.facebook.com/Rämekuukkeli-levyt

Cold Case 3-Way Tape - Pohjamuta/Cicutoxin/Rutsa

Labels: Ramekuukkeli-Levyt

Formats: Tape

Release Date: 27 Jan 2018

Tracklist:-

1. Pohjamuta - Uhrimiekka

2. Cicutoxin - The Fury

3. Cicutoxin - Junkies With Dogs

4. Rutsa - Raadonsyojat

I'm doing something tonight that I haven't done in a very long time...I'm reviewing a tape using a tape player! In an age when people (including myself, I'll be honest) are lazy and like to review things digitally, I decided to dust off the tape/cd combi I procured from my sister when I moved out and use it, secretly hoping that it doesn't chew up the first tape it sees. 

That first tape in question is the new 3-way tape from Finnish label Ramekuukkeli-Levyt and it features both Cicutoxin and Rutsa (who have been featured here before) and Pohjamuta (who haven't). All three bands play sludge metal but in their own ways. 

Pohjamuta takes up the whole of a-side of this tape with their song Uhrimiekka. They’re perfectly suited to the tape format as their sound is raw and noisy. Some people may not understand the format’s resurgence of late but it’s got a place in my heart nevertheless. Pohjamuta plays a crazed brand of sludge that features loads of up-tempo groove and a bizarre vocal delivery. It’s a lot of fun and will definitely frighten off anybody with a nervous disposition. At times is sounds more like black metal yet it never looses it’s sludgy backbone.

Cicutoxin is allowed two songs on the b-side and their first, The Fury, is distinctly more melodic though not necessarily clearer. Again, much like Pohjamuta on the a-side, they’re bleak in their own way. Their take on sludge is slower and more traditional with a very bass-heavy sound. The amusingly titled Junkies With Dogs is their second song and is instrumental for the most part. At times they sound like a slowed down (early version of) Mastodon instrumentation-wise and the vocals are screamed out in a sparing but vile fashion. 

Rutsa is a shock to the system with the grinding, fierce intensity of Raadonsyojat. It’s full of feedback and heavy riffs that are buried amongst a constant fuzz of white noise and snare crashes. When Rutsa eventually settles into a sludgy passage, they manage to sound even more violent. It’s a frenetic end to a tape that’s far from easy-listening. All three bands have their own originality and yet seem to fit together with ease here. If you like underground DIY music and don’t mind taking a risk then I would recommend this tape wholeheartedly.

There's no digital stream of the full tape but the participating bands are streaming their contributions below:-

Tape copies can be purchased from Ramekuukkeli-Levyt here - http://ramekuukkeli.nettisivu.org

Pohjamuta - https://www.facebook.com/Pohjamuta/

Cicutoxin - https://www.facebook.com/Cicutoxin

Rutsa - https://www.facebook.com/rutsaband/

Ramekuukkeli-Levyt - https://www.facebook.com/Rämekuukkeli-levyt