Verilehto – Aarnihauta
Verilehto – Aarnihauta
Inverse Records
Release Date: 28/11/2025
Review by Metalphysicist
8/10
Verilehto is a Finnish band that have just released their second album, “Aarnihauta”, influenced by 90’s Finish Black Metal that, (according to the press release) is “characterised by melodic and aggressive riffs, raw vocals, and an eerie overall tone. The Finnish folklore-inspired lyrics fit well with the band’s versatile riffs, and the songs vary from fast blast beats to slower storytelling elements.”
The only Black Metal Finnish band that I ever kept in touch with is Impaled Nazarene, who are pioneers of aggressive and intimidating Black Metal sonority, as heard on Impaled Nazarene’s first album “Ugra Karma” (1993), which was a big punch right to the face of the 90s Black Metal scene.
That kind of Impaled Nazarene’s brutal musical assault is the heritage received by Varilehto – which is well perceived on a couple of songs on “Aarnihauta”, such as the title track and ‘Kalman Sotajuokko’. The riffs are reminiscent of Slayer’s songs, especially the ones released in the eighties.
The thing on “Aarnihauta” is that the vocal lines on several songs (‘Tuhkaverho’) sound like Janne Partanen is performing a kind of epic poem (of course I didn’t understand the content of the lyrics), meanwhile the rhythm section provides a wider ambience full of empty soundscapes and cadenced tempo and simple guitar riffs. Maybe too many empty soundscapes?
“Aarnihauta” is an album that deserves some attention from Black Metal fans to get closer to Finland’s Black Metal music influenced by Finland’s ancient bands. It has grim, cold and epic moments.
TRACKLISING
01. Surutta Tapettu
02. Nälänhätä
03. Aarnihauta
04. Kalman Sotajuokko
05. Tuhkaverho
06. Syöjätär
07. Virvatulet
LINKS
https://www.facebook.com/verilehto
https://www.instagram.com/verilehto
https://verilehto.bandcamp.com
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