Havukruunu – Tavastland
Havukruunu – Tavastland
Svart Records
Release Date: 28/02/2025
Review by Oli Gonzalez
8.5/10
It’s January 9th, 2025 here in the UK. It’s 6:47am, it’s pitch black dark and -5°c, with the land engulfed by a layer of unwelcome frost. Seems like a perfect opportunity to listen to a bit of Finnish Black Metal, right? Luckily, I have Havukruunu’s soon to be released album “Tavastland” to match this unforgiving and cold environment (though I’m sure this is a mild summer’s day in Finland). The third release for the band, this promises to be a more mature release as Havukuruunu have now ‘found’ themselves and their place in this complex Extreme Metal landscape. How will they set themselves apart in this fiercely competitive scene? Let’s see.
So, first thoughts. Not quite what I expected. But in a very good way! Forget the ferocious blast beats and KVLT shrieks you normally associate with this genre. No, there’s definitely a more solid Power Metal groove and evidence of deceptively complex textures throughout the opening stages of the album. Vocally, whilst we’re introduced to some rather fierce mid-range growls, there’s still some clarity and diction to the words (even if I can’t understand a word of the vocalist’s native language). The introduction of cleaner, more smoothing ethereal style vocals is smart too.
The press release promised some stellar guitar work. That’s exactly what we’re seeing with both guitarists shredding hard in an impressive dual attack provided by Henkka and Stefa. Honestly, check out some of those piercing leads on ‘Havukruunu ja Talvenvarjo’ and you’ll see why I’m liking this so much. The introduction of acoustic instruments also adds that much welcomed Folk flavour, especially during ‘Kuoleman Oma’, which further bolsters Havukuruunu’s identity.
The faster atmospheric qualities you’d expect from a Black Metal album make a much appreciated appearance. Especially during ‘Yönsynty’. The primitive yet polished soundscapes invoke mental images of a frosty wilderness in my mind’s eye (or I can just look outside my window for a similar view, whichever way).
So, a solid introduction to the band no doubt. The language barrier is my only real criticism, as it’s hard to build a connection to the lyrics. This may be a ‘me’ problem, although I’m sure many others who don’t speak Finnish may agree with me. Then again, Google Translate exists, plus it may be a problem without a solution.
Overall, it’s clear how and where Havukuruunu sit in the Black Metal ecosystem and “Tavastland” with a unique offering to the genre that will command instant respect come release day.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Kuolematon Laulunhenki
02. Yönsynty
03. Havukruunu ja Talvenvarjo
04. Tavastland
05. Kuoleman Oma
06. Unissakävijä
07. Kun veri sekoittuu lumeen
08. De Miseriis Fennorum
LINKS:
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