Artist: Forgjord 
   Title: Sielunvihollinen
   Label:
Hammer Of Fate Records

This is the third full-length album for these black metallers from Finland.  After a four year hiatus, these guys are back and ready to burst onto the European death metal scene once more.  The spirit of Finland is pushed in the Finnish lyrics declaring hatred, anti-Christianity, lycanthropy, death, and the spirit of proud Finnish nationality.  'Sielunvihollinen' translates as "Soul Nemesis" and introduces their fourth album full of inventive melodies and raw soundscape.

The album break open with an instrumental that lulls the listener into a false sense of security as the subsequent songs burst into life with screamy, screechy vocals that are sometimes deeper and more emotive, with the crash of guitar and the low but steady beat of the drum that permeates through every song.  The instrumental rawness is felt in each instrument used, as the guitars and drums fit around the vocals instead of the other way round.

Unless you’re Finnish, you have pretty much no hope of understanding any of the lyrics ripped apart by this death metal duo, however, the dark and hopeless landscape of this album is transmitted sublimely by the guitar and drums working together to create a depressive, yet expressive soundscape unlike any other out at the moment.  The slight deadening of the drum sound only adds to this highly expressive make-up, as does focusing on the vocals instead of what lies beneath, creating depth and richness within the album.

Review by: Kerry H

Tracklisting:

1. Suokaste (intro)
2. Ei Kuoleman Arvoinen
3. Musta Lintu
4. Niin Lihassa kuin Veressa
5. Tulilahti 1959
6. Sudeksi Syntynyt
7. Sielunvihollinen
8. Viimeinen Myrsky

                  

 

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