Showing posts with label Ramekuukkeli-levyt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ramekuukkeli-levyt. Show all posts

Sunday, 12 April 2020

Fuck-Ushima/Fosforos - Split LP


Labels: Gate Of Deliria/Ramekuukkeli-Levyt
Formats: Vinyl/Digital
Release Date: 05 Jan 2020

Tracklist: 

1. Fuck-Ushima - We Are Doomed
2. Fuck-Ushima - Hervanta Acid Onslaught
3. Fuck-Ushima - Jazz Violence
4. Fuck-Ushima - Give Unto Suffering -
5. Fuck-Ushima - Merridew
6. Fosforos - Still Life
7. Fosforos - Welcome The Beast
8. Fosforos - Into The Horror
9. Fosforos - Let Go

At the same time as receiving the Frogskin/Taser LP that was released last October, Ramekuukkeli-Levyt was also kind enough to send me the 2020 split LP featuring Finnish PV band Fuck-Ushima and death/crust countrymen Fosforos. It's the first time I've come across either band, but you can pretty much put any Finnish heavy music in front of me and the chances are I'll dig it. This is the first vinyl release to feature Fuck-Ushima, as they've previously only released tapes after forming in 2012.  Fosforos formed a few years later in 2015 and prior to this they released a tape and a 7" EP. 

First up is Fuck-Ushima with five quick-fire ragers. ‘We Are Doomed’ is the most aptly titled song to kick things off with as it perfectly harnesses the helplessness and frustration that we’re all feeling right now. The music is crazy, feedback-laden PV/Sludge with growled dual-vocals. It’s all gloriously off-kilter and at times it could be considered anti-music but there’s lots to like about Fuck-Ushima’s racket. ‘Hervanta Acid Onslaught’ is a fast/slow beast that seems to run for longer than it’s actual playing time, as they put so much into it.

I was hoping that ‘Jazz Violence’ would be some really off the wall free-grind but alas it isn’t. It’s still great though and like the rest of the band’s music, it’s full of sludge that makes you feel anxious and occasionally nauseous, especially when the screaming guitar hits the front. You can tell it’s good when feedback is all that’s heard between songs, save for the very brief pauses. ‘Give Unto Suffering’ starts slow but then get’s fast, which is at odds with the rest of Fuck-Ushima’s songs so far. One thing’s for sure, this is intense especially this early in the day. Final song ‘Merridew’ is probably the grooviest, taking their sludge influence to further heights. The riffs are giant as is the overall atmosphere of it all. As first impressions go, these five tracks have left me floored. They’re not an easy listen by any means but that’s the fun of it. Nice one Fuck-Ushima!

Fosforos calls their side of this split The Horror Cycle, which is ominous. Their sound is more crusty and death metal influenced, genres with which Finland has a long and rich history. ’Still Life’ has the now recognisable crust-reverb applied to the deep growls, while the music is pretty melodic. ’Welcome The Beast” is more on the raw side, which is fine because crust was never supposed to over-produced and clean. There’s a lot of snotty punk attitude going on too, which adds to the energy of it. Fosforos slow’s everything down on the lumbering ‘Into The Horror’, which is more deathly and sludgy. It’s delivered in such a tortured way that it’s hard to feel energised when it’s playing, such is the crushing sense of dread that’s portrayed. 

Closing with ‘Let Go’, Fosforos demonstrates how they’re able to create varied songs with ease. It sounds almost funky at the beginning and it’s only the harsh vocals that remind you of what you’re listening to. It may sound like the vocalist is throwing up towards the end, but they’re not. It’s just annunciation and it fits perfectly. Again, first impressions are really good. Fosforos don’t seem to have a specific remit when it comes to their filthy noise, instead they just keep throwing different things into the mix. Great stuff for an unholy Sunday morning!

You can stream and purchase he Fuck-Ushima side of this split digitally below:-



The Fosforos side can be found here:-




Physical copies can be purchased from the labels below:-


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Monday, 10 February 2020

Frogskin/Taser - Split LP (Gate Of Deliria/Iron Coffin/Penny Whistles And Moon Pies/Ramekuukkeli-Levyt)


Labels: Gate Of Deliria/Iron Coffin/Penny Whistles And Moon Pies/Ramekuukkeli-Levyt
Formats: Vinyl/Digital
Release Date: 21 Oct 2019

Tracklist:

1. Frogskin - Settling For Leftovers
2. Taser - Shovel Face
3. Taser - Broken Christ

Yesterday ended up being a washout (literally, due to flooding and me having to help clear the mess from outside the flats that I reside in) and also because I wasn't able to write as many reviews as I had planned for the day. I did hint on social media though that I'd be focusing my writing efforts on Finnish bands this week and here we are. This split LP was one half of a package I received from Ramekuukkeli-Levyt. It split features Frogskin and Taser, both of whom are Finnish doom/sludge bands. It feels very apt to be writing about this release given what I had to endure over the weekend. Thanks go to Tuukka for sending this to me and I'm sorry for the delay with my review.

The artwork on both sides of this split is great. There’s just something about holding the physical release in my hands and pouring over it. It came with a lyric insert and has been pressed on nice thick black vinyl (there’s also a green variant too). Frogskin’s side of this split contains the song ‘Settling For Leftovers’ and it weighs in at nearly fifteen-minutes. With the wind blowing heavily outside my window, it seems only right to jam this now. An eerie spoken word sample plays atop of slow and bass-heavy doom/sludge. It’s not pretty and nor should it be. It’s feedback-laden passages ringing from the speakers as the growled vocals enter the fray. They sit perfectly nestled within the menacing recording. The further in you get, the slower Frogskin’s music seems to become, dragging you down into a blackhole of despair and claustrophobic fear. Towards the song’s conclusion, you’re left with a screeching noise passage that’s even more terrifying than the music that precedes it.

Taser’s side is more to the point and groovy. ‘Shovelface’ is a driving beast with rock n roll sensibilities and vocals that could pass for white-noise such is their high-pitched ferocity. Their approach is to batter whatever functioning faculties you have left with hard and heavy sludge. It works too. The brilliantly named ‘Broken Christ’ continues in the same way and with it’s earth-rumbling riffs, it takes no prisoners. While Frogskin’s contribution is one born of utter harshness and misery, Taser’s duo of songs are slightly more upbeat (if that’s at all possible). I’ve always been a fan of this form of sludge and doom but this split makes me realise why I hold it above all else. It really hits that spot in my brain that wants solitude and distance from humans. 

Both sides of this split are great and while I was already aware of Frogskin, Taser was a new name and I’m glad that Tuukka put them on my radar. They both show how twisted and heavy Finnish heavy music can be. I wholeheartedly recommend this split to anyone who likes the noisier and slower things in life. You won’t be disappointed.

You can stream and purchase the split digitally below, where I've included both the Frogskin and Taser sides for you two stream here via their respective bandcamp pages:-






Physical copies can also be purchased from the bands or from the links below:-



 Penny Whistles And Moon Pies is a label that belongs to Taser's guitarist. I don't have a link, but that have copies for sale via their bandcamp page above, as I've already mentioned.
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Sunday, 27 October 2019

Corroder - Instinct 7"


Labels: Ramekuukkeli-Levyt/Several Casualties Productions/Tuhkaa & Paskaa Esittaa Records
Formats: Vinyl
Release Date: 01 May 2019

Tracklist:

1. Join Us
2. Ecumence
3. Scum
4. Deathwish
5. A Long Day
6. Valid Argument

Back in August I wrote about Corroder's 7" "Doctrine" that forms one half of the double 7" release that also includes "Instinct". Released in May of this year, it's been the first music I've heard by this Finnish hardcore/sludge band and given their lack of Internet presence, that music does the talking. Unlike a lot of Finnish bands that I've featured here, their lyrics are in English. I'm not sure if I mentioned this in my earlier review or not.

As with “Doctrine”, “Instinct” is another short but heavy affair, with EP opener Join Us kicking off with no warning. Corroder’s crusty hardcore sound is overwhelming. Ecumence is even faster and there are subtle signs of sludge floating around the band’s feet, amid the blasting and noisy riffs. Scum follows up as the last song on the a-side in a more claustrophobic manner at first, before Corroder unleashes their frightening hardcore again. While slightly raw, it’s technically strong and enjoyable without being overcomplicated.

The b-side is exactly the same with raging, bass-heavy riffs and a bleak atmosphere on Deathwish. The mix once again of high and low pitched growls adding an edge of excitement. A Long Day brings the pace down with sludge again showing itself. It’s more of a minimalist effort this time, but no less teeth-rattling. It’s the longest song on this EP and it has a strange air of calmness towards the end. EP closer Valid Argument breaks that calm feeling with one final blast of Corroder at their wildest. 

As much as I still love the 7” format, it would be nice sometimes to be able to hear songs without the need to flip them over, which is definitely the case with both Corroder EPs, though I can understand them wanting to stick to the physical format. There’s only one song from “Instinct” available to stream and download via their bandcamp page, so go for it and support the band by picking up this double 7” as it’s certainly worth it.

As mentioned above, Ecumence is available to stream and grab as a name-your-price download via Corroder's bandcamp page below:-



You can buy physical copies by getting in touch with the labels below:-

Several Casualties Productions - https://www.facebook.com/severalcasualties/
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Saturday, 17 August 2019

Corroder - Doctrine 7"


Labels: Ramekuukkeli-Levyt/Several Casualties Productions/Tuhkaa & Paskaa Esittaa Records
Formats: Vinyl
Release Date: 01 May 2019

Tracklist:

1. Tightrope
2. Nothing
3. Constructive Criticism
4. Cacophony

"Doctrine" is the first of two 7"s that were released earlier this year by unknown Finnish hardcore/sludge band Corroder. I uses the term unknown because, apart from a bandcamp page containing just two songs, little is known about the band. This and second 7" "Instinct" were sent to me by Ramekuukkeli-Levyt and I must apologise for the time it's taken me to write this review. The double release was made possible with the help of Several Casualties Productions and Tuhkaa & Paskaa Esittaa Records.

This is incredibly bass-heavy sludge with touches of hardcore and crust sewn in. Opener Tightrope is as black (atmosphere-wise) as the vinyl it’s pressed onto. The vocals are made up of deep roars and higher-pitched shrieks, while the guitars assert themselves at the lower end of the register and the drums are gloriously analogue-sounding alongside them. Nothing is groovier in tempo and there’s more of a metal influence in it as well. I’m playing this on my turntable with the volume at a moderate level (as I live in a flat and don’t want to fall out with my neighbours) but the music still seems to shake the room.

The b-side carries on the upturn in pace, with the crusty monolith of Constructive Criticism. The guitar melodies are slightly more noticeable here, but it’s still murky and angry. The off-kilter delivery also knocks you for six. There’s a brief moment of calm and inner-reflection as quiet strings help the 7” transition to its final song Cacophony. Here, Corroder goes back in search of the suffocating sludge that greeted the listener at the start of this EP. This time though it’s instrumental for a larger proportion, with the vocals being used more sparingly. Angular riffs back up the screams and the percussion helps to bring things to a close. 

“Doctrine” is a no-frills EP from a fairly no-frills band. People tend to speak in derisory terms about the 7” format but it still works well, especially for Corroder. Their heavy, sludgy hardcore is perfectly suited to the format, even if it’s over all too quickly.


Several Casualties Productions - https://www.facebook.com/severalcasualties/
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Friday, 12 July 2019

Lähdön Aika - Alku


Labels: Self-Released/Bunkkeri Records/Ramekuukkeli-Levyt
Format: Vinyl/CD/Digital
Release Date: 17 May 2019

Tracklist:

1. Huomisen Toivo
2. Matkalla
3. Kuka Sina Olet
4. Rauha
5. Pelko
6. Ainoa Tie

Goddamn! The last couple of weeks have been pretty frustrating as I've not been able to get into a proper writing flow. Changes will be made soon to allow me to focus on it more regularly, I promise. This review is one I've had in the works for a couple of weeks and features Finnish hardcore/doom/sludge/crust/all-the-genres band Lähdön Aika.The last review I wrote featuring this band was about their 2014 split with Frogskin, so it's been a little while. They self-released their latest record on CD and digitally, while Bunkkeri Records and Ramekuukkeli-Levyt released it on vinyl. Thanks go to Tuukka for sending me a CD copy.

It’s suddenly become hot as hell here and while I should be outside with a cold beer, I’m barricading myself inside as I finally have the chance to sit and listen to this beast. Lähdön Aika really hits the spot and the opening song on “Alku”, Huomisen Toivo rages with a mix of atmospheric crust, hardcore and supreme Scandinavian doom. The native lyrics and the barked vocals are set against spacey and bass-laden instrumentation that is off-kilter but also a lot of fun. Acoustic guitar opens Matkalla with a subtle poignancy before the tower of riffs kick in. The verses are stripped down with the vocals sounding more like a battle cry. That’s okay though as they work perfectly in a song that thrives on repeating passages and droning textures. 

These are most definitely tracks for music fans that don’t just get their satisfaction from instant gratification and Kuka Sina Olet is the second longest at just over eight-minutes. It’s hypnotising with a tempo that seems to get faster, though this may be an illusion to these ears. Either way, it’s heavy, claustrophobic and extremely rhythmic, though I wouldn’t suggest rocking any young child to sleep while listening to this! It’s in the instrumental passages that Lähdön Aika truly comes to life and Rauha is a great example of this. Again, it’s subtly stripped down yet it retains the band’s signature heaviness and poise. The recording/production/mastering also helps in that department as it allows the music to sound clear, while not losing it’s extreme impact. 

Pelko appears without so much as a breath and the layered doom that Lähdön Aika is so good at really sounds as if it’s been perfected here. They’ve really hit their stride on this one and while it’s not super abrasive or slow, it doesn’t matter one jot. Musically this is spot on. Album closer Ainoa Tie is positively short compared to those that came before it and it’s (relative) urgency is the perfect way to close out “Alku”. The metallic guitar work and prominent drumming is right up there, as it has been throughout while the vocals sound like a call-to-arms but not in a cliche way. This is a great record. The way that the extremity of it is tempered by the melodic layers and the consistent tempos make it a really enjoyable and engaging listen. Get at it!

Stream and buy "Alku" on all formats below:-




Vinyl copies can also be purchased via the labels below:-

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Saturday, 18 May 2019

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:-




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

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Thursday, 27 September 2018

Necroslurg - Kuolonkierre


Labels: Ramekuukkeli-Levyt
Formats: Tape/Digital
Release Date: 01 Jun 2018

Tracklist:

1. Vakaa Tila
2. Vieraat Aanet
3. Kuolonkierre
4. Musta
5, Tuho, Ei Tuomio
6. Ajojahti
7. Kauhun Pyorteissa
8. Ekranoplan
9. Metsanpeittoon
10. Hyvaksy Kohtalosi

I felt it was time to re-visit the wonderful tones of Finnish heavy music again and found this nestling in my review pile. It's been a little while since Tuukka (Ramekuukkeli-Levyt) sent me this tape, so apologies to go out to him for the delay in posting this write-up. Necroslurg is a "heavy punk metal" trio from Helsinki and "Kuolonkierre" is their second album.They've been plying their trade for about two years now and releases their first album "Haudantaka" just over twelve months before this one. They recently played Svart Festival in the Finnish capital alongside the might Foreseen.

Necroslurg’s music is delivered with true Scandinavian ferocity and the vocals are entirely in their mother-tongue. Vakaa Tila is an angry opener that flows between up-tempo punk and groove-laden rock.It’s all about the riffs on Kuolonkierre, as Vieraat Aanet proves. They are at home alongside the frenzied screams that’s for sure, while the drums keep a restrained yer accurate beat behind. The other cool thing about Necroslurg’s sound and approach is that they play fast and leave no room for pondering. Kuolonkierre is filled to the brim with punk attitude, though it also does a good line is stoner doom fury too. So far this trio is living up to Finland’s reputation for producing great experimental bands.

They’re band to their raucous best on Musta, which shoots from the hip with it’s noise rock blueprint and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it running time. Thankfully, they slow things down on the sludgy Tuho, Ei Tuomio, which proves again that they can switch the mood effortlessly. Channelling the cold darkness that envelopes the country during Winter, they produce probably the heaviest song on the album. The shoutiness continues unabated on Ajojahti, which feature plenty of awesome musicianship as well. The volume levels that this trio reach are pretty incredible. The latter half of the album retains the same level of variation as the first and Kauhun Pyorteissa is a stomping noise rock song with more crisp lead work.

Not sticking to one formula or blueprint gives them an edge and Ekranoplan is subtly stripped down and minimalist to begin with, though it’s still layered with the kind of riffs and percussive atmosphere that makes you think of Black Sabbath and the like. The loud pedal is pressed to the floor again during penultimate song Metsanpeittoon, as Necroslurg force you to pump your fist and bang you head in joyous unison. Album closer Hyvaksy Kohtalosi is gives you one last opportunity to raise glass to this Finnish powerhouse in the making. Necroslurg are great and this album is well worth checking out and getting on tape.

If you can stomach the ads n between songs, you can stream "Kuolonkierre" in full via Necroslurg's Soundcloud page below:-



Tapes can be purchased here - http://ramekuukkeli.nettisivu.org

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Thursday, 12 July 2018

Ward - Downfalls


Labels: Ramekuukkeli-Levyt
Formats: Tape
Release Date - 19 Apr 2018

Tracklist:

1. Waves
2. Singularity
3. Dominion
4. Every Day The Hard Way
5. The Valued Things
6. New Problems

The sun may have nearly disappeared from our skies over Britain but the heat is no less oppressive, which makes it the perfect atmosphere for this recently released slab of heavy Finnish doom metal. It was released earlier this year via Ramekuukkeli-Levyt on limited tape. Ward is a quartet and they formed in 2005, before releasing two splits with Havitys and True Lords Of Vatican, in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Their full-length arrived just over a year later. There's not much else I can say about Ward, apart from that one of their members used to play in Sink and plays in Abbot.

Ward’s doom is thick and heavy. It sounds so at home on tape, with a warm fuzz to the recording. The tempo on Waves is slow and the vocals are delivered as a deep rasping growl with English lyrics. The further you get into this opening song’s 10+ minutes the easier it is to get lost within it’s strangely addictive melodies and humming, throbbing bass tones. It ends with alarming levels of droning feedback before Ward take a very short breather. Singularity comes into view soon after and it immediately picks up the tone from the tape’s opener. There are long passages without vocals and crushing riffs that have to be heard. Sometimes it’s more like funeral doom but other times there are post-metal textures and calmer doom elements flowing through it. It’s certainly not a straightforward listen though.

The b-side begins with Dominion, which straight away reveals more of the lovely analogue warmth that can only come from tapes. It’s raw in nature and the vocals here remind me of the heavier aspects of bands like Dark Tranquility and Hamferd in some ways (and yes, I appreciate that neither of those bands are from Finland). The song is more than just about those comparisons though, as it’s melody peers through the riffs to create something that’s extremely listenable. Ward takes on a thrashier form with Every Day The Hard Way, which could be mistaken for a youth crew hardcore song-title. It’s tempo and energy is surprising and adds a lot to the album. 

The previous song seems to break up the misery that is intertwined within the record and it’s not long before The Valued Things is dragging you back down again. It’s one of those songs that hammers itself into your head and leaves you paralysed to the spot. Closing song New Problems isn’t any better (in a good way) but it does contain some nice technical drumming. There’s also more in the way of technicality in the guitar work, which heads more into experimental stoner territory for brief moments in time. This record is perfect for the tape format and Ward plays doom music that’s sympathetic to the genre’s early days while still being heavy. Great stuff.

You can stream both Waves and Singularity via bandcamp below. Both songs are also available to purchase digitally too:-




Physical tapes can be purchased from Ramekuukkeli-Levyt here - http://ramekuukkeli.nettisivu.org/

 Ramekuukkeli-Levyt - https://www.facebook.com/Rämekuukkeli-levyt
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Friday, 16 March 2018

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

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Monday, 12 March 2018

Murder Hollow - The Adept


Labels: Self-Released/Ramekuukkeli-Levyt
Formats: Digital/Tape
Release Date: 16 Feb 2018

Tracklist:

1. The Lover
2. The Alchemist
3. The Adept

March has been a bit slower than I'd hoped up to this point, but I've been sent some cool new releases in tape form so I'm going to take the opportunity to write about them (and some other releases) over the next week, starting tonight with this new release from Finnish doom/death band Murder Hollow. "The Adept" is the Tampere quartet's third release since their formation in 2013. It feature three songs and released digitally by the band and on tape by Finnish label Ramekuukkeli-Levyt last month. 

Finland and doom/death, two familiar bedfellows to this blog. Murder Hollow though is a new band to these ears and the sub-genre tag above isn’t necessarily as accurate as you;d think. EP opener The Lover starts with a drawn-out sampled noise intro that gives way to incredibly groovy bass and drum work. Both provide a funky tempo that carries on throughout the heavy verses, where the harsh vocals and driving guitars take centre stage. It’s really hard to describe adequately but imaging if (the instrumental section of) Rage Against The Machine suddenly decided to play doom metal and you’re about there. 

The Alchemist takes things in a more traditional direction with some cracking riffs that conjure images of both Grand Magus and Reverend Bizarre jamming at the same time. It’s got that despondent yet catchy dynamic that stops the listener from switching off, while Heikki’s vocals are suitably deathly. Murder Hollow strikes me as a very adept (excuse the pun) band with excellent song-writing skill. They close out with the EP’s title-track and just like the previous two songs, they’ve managed to make it sound different. It’s got a stoner/psych feel to it and yet it still fits into the EP without any continuation worries. It’s a great song to end on and there’s no let up in musicality or momentum. This is definitely a release that’ll hit you from nowhere and grab you attention instantly. If you doom/death with a different then Murder Hollow is your band.

You can stream and download "The Adept" via Murder Hollow's bandcamp page below:-




Physical tapes can be purchased from Ramekuukkeli-Levyt here - http://ramekuukkeli.nettisivu.org

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