Origin: Hyvinkää, Uusimaa, Finland 🇫🇮
Genre: Black Metal
Since 1995, Azaghal have dominated the Finnish black metal circuit through the release of more records than even some of the most prolific BM artists/bands out there, and they’ve made it look relatively easy. This holds true even considering the competition: Sargeist, Horna, Behexen, Archgoat, Beherit… Impaled Nazarene. Legend status achieved by all parties, but it’s a higher level of class that separates Azaghal from these other collectives. This character trait that cannot be taught has translated into their music through gems like 2002’s “Of Beasts and Vultures”, 2012’s “Nemesis” and now with “Alttarimme on Luista Tehty”, which was released in conspiracy with Immortal Frost Productions.
With “Alttarimme on Luista Tehty”, Azaghal flash avant-garde killing steel – a deathly implement of destruction that decimates on both familiar and contemporary fronts. World-beating, blast-dominated black metal enhanced by quality-first recording techniques and of course by groundbreaking album cuts like the titular track and “Kaaos”. The former a merciless onslaught powered by a Doedsvangr or Nordjevel level of sonic warmongering; warring guns revved up and spitting Hellfire riffing patterns not akin to the olde tremolo approach. The latter the record’s lead cut and probably the finest example of pure Azaghalian wrath you’ll ever experience – concussive grooves pounding you into submission. DM-worshipping Bolt Thrower vibes in other even more brutal crimes such as “Verivirta” and “El Valoa Tuonelassa” create a most oppressive atmosphere – the great differentiator between this album and its predecessor. And when it comes to the understanding of one’s musical identity and overall black metal IQ, it’s Azaghal who have once again proven to be the cream of the Finnish BM scene.
“Alttarimme on Luista Tehty” is the total package: heritage-honoring, traditional in some ways, modern in others, balanced and voluminous. 38 minutes worth of quality black metal rooted in the fundamentals and pulsating with unfiltered adversarial energy. A well-balanced and equally-proportioned experience where no one phase outshines another and all converge into an unpredictable, serpentine flow of pure expectations-exceeding BM. But it’s just business as usual for Azaghal and yet another album of the year contender.
Not a throwback to the early 90’s… Sorry, I know that’s what everyone wants right now, but that’s not what you’re getting with “Alttarimme on Luista Tehty”. Instead, you’ll take in pristine, dynamic and world-class black metal – compositions deserving of a higher standard of recording. Not a modern-day travesty either. No larger-than-life Dark Fortress or Imperium Dekadenz vibes, only a masterful balancing of the scales with equal parts Satanic wrath and Suomi pride. This is statement-making black metal; a reminder of how intangible the Finnish product can be and a best of luck to the aforementioned competition. Prepare to worship death upon an altar of bones…
9.5/10
Experience “Alttarimme on Luista Tehty” right here as presented by Immortal Frost:
