This is quite the surprise release by this relatively new Finnish seven piece. There's an immediate atmosphere here that's both unique and captivating -- a retro heavy rock psychedelia that doesn't sound quite like anyone else. That said, the Finns obviously pull their musical inspiration from the likes of Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy and Mercyful Fate as is evident on numerous occasions throughout the album. There's also a slight hint of early Metallica found here and there, although it must be stressed that this isn't a metal album by any stretch. Frontwoman Jess has a great sounding voice, although it seems to lack power in some areas, most likely a result of the vocals being slightly dimmed in the mix. There's a touch of a feminine Patrick Dubar in her voice who, for those of you who don't know, was the extremely underrated vocalist of '90s hard rock band Mindfunk. For the most part this album is upbeat, driving stuff, with incredible musicianship on display -- from the Maiden/Lizzy pummel of "Ghost riders" to the "People are strange" vibe of "Devil (in g minor)" and the subdued Opeth-prog of closer "Come crimson death" -- and almost perfect pacing throughout. It's an exciting body of work with a powerful production that hints at bigger and better to come from these occultists. - John Norby
I can think of no better to celebrate America's Independence Day than by listening to Cold War nostalgia as rendered by finnish apocalyptic deathrockers Beastmilk. For those of us who came of age in the 80s -- an era of nuclear prep drills and scaremongering movies such as "Red Dawn" -- we are all "Children of the Atom Bomb".
has announced that they will be releasing the next two albums from finnish ritual/dark ambient artists Arktau Eos this coming fall, the vinyl-only release "Unworeleds" and the CD "Ioh-Maera". Even better, the band will coming to the US for their debut performance at the Esoteric Book Conference in Seattle on September 15 to be followed by an appearance at the Stella Natura Festival in the Sierra on September 20-23. See you there?
has announced that they will be releasing the debut 7" EP from finnish power-pop/punk-rockers First Times this coming August; sample two of the four tunes above. The label will also be releasing The Phoenix Foundation's new album "Silence" this coming August which I believe will be the band's 5th album in their 10 years as a band.
I can't read finnish at all, but here's a new 3-page comic book involving a cyclops and vampires set to a soundtrack by Nightsatan: http://nyt.fi/20120617-kerno-luku-2-osa-1/
Following in the footsteps of Music Export Finland and the finnish Music Information Centre, it was announced today that Norway's Music Information Centre and Music Export Norway will be merging to form a new consolidated international music promotion group under the header Music Norway. Read the press release here (in Norwegian).
There's a new episode of finnish live music video program Off the Record and the guest is legendary hardcore act Radiopuhelimet: http://offtherecord.fi/radiopuhelimet/
Jess and the Ancient Ones