AZAGHAL - Madon sanat (2015)

One vital thing to understand about (modern) Finnish black metal is that it's a very “cookie cutter” style of music. Variations from the established model are rare, and as a result, so are variations in quality. However, unlike say, Sargeist's latest album, this new Azaghal album is worth discussing and contemplating.

Taking a percussive and death metal-influenced approach, Azaghal have crafted an album that bares a different set of teeth than their contemporaries. Beginning with an ambient piano intro that births the central motif of the first song, Madon sanat eases you into the pummeling of power chords and vicious melodies. This is an album rudimentary in its effectiveness, not unlike Watain's first two albums. Authoritative and meaty power chords tend to precede much more thoughtful melodic development. The song structures seem to communicate an aggression followed by solemn emotional contemplation, like trying to make peace with a tragedy but being stifled with inner conflict. 

Azaghal succeeds in constructing an album that while simple in style, manages to bear a spirit that is unfortunately unparalleled by most contemporary black metal.

You can purchase Madon sanat from Kvlt records.