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Review: Havukruunu - Kuu Erkylän yllä
Havukruunu
www.facebook.com/havukruunu
Kuu Erkylän yllä

Label: Naturmacht Productions
Year released: 2021
Duration: 34:51
Tracks: 5
Genre: Black Metal

Rating:
4.5/5


Review online: January 14, 2024
Reviewed by: Micah.Ram
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Rated 4.33/5 (86.67%) (3 Votes)
Review

Kuu Erkylän Yllä is the most recent release from Finnish Pagan black metal outfit, Havukruunu, released back in October 2021. Being an EP, I had expected by now we might receive another release, but that has not yet happened. However, the band is still a busy act, touring and whatnot, so here's to hoping that there is more to come from this consistent powerhouse.

I do not think that the word I choose to describe the band's sound is necessarily what they were going for, but it is certainly hard to deny that the band has a particularly masculine sound. Even the use of chorus segments is performed in a way that does not soften the tone of the material, but rather boosts its masculinity. As for the material here on Kuu Erkylän Yllä, it certainly feels at times to be a continuation of the sound and overall approach that they were going for on 2020's full-length, Uinuos Syömein Sota, although I initially did not recognize it, as this EP starts off feeling a bit different. In fact, this release feels a bit more rooted in the traditional second wave of black metal than previous releases, marrying this with their more melodic and Pagan metal leanings for some very dynamic songwriting overall. The first track on the album may mislead with its start, appearing to be traditional black metal before taking a grand turn into the fun and chorus-decorated style found with the other recent material. The second and third tracks on the EP feel as if they could have been leftover (but not below the standard) tracks from the recording sessions of Uinuos Syömein Sota, as they share so much in common with those tracks. The third track in particular, "Routapanssari" is a highlight on the record, showcasing multiple facets of the band's musical style. Very cool is its majestic and cinematic gallop at the crux of the track, leading into a surprising pause before bursting with a contrasting flavor that sounds like a band jamming at a pub party.

The fourth track, "Mustan Merkin Enteen Alla" is my personal favorite track, and one of the most aggressive tracks the band have ever written and performed. It almost has a grindcore energy about it, evident from the very start with its blast beats and angular riffing. The energy from the moment the vocals enter is quite intense and is met with what sounds to be light narration or perhaps communication from a character that is implied (did not do the work to translate the text, so I am only describing the sounds here). There are multiple twists on this track overall, with tempo changes and small details to enjoy along the way, such as the sudden tremolo picked measure that happens past the 4-minute mark during this slower passage. The soundbites of horses racing and the accompanying music and rising intensity that follows this passage is met with a triumphant guitar solo with bluesy flavor before leading the song to a dramatic finish. The song finishes with a bit of ambient music, much like the way the last track of Uinuos Syömein Sota finished. Thankfully, this time it only lasted for about a minute as opposed to the four minutes that finished the closer on the 2020 full-length, which was probably the only negative I could say about the prior album.

While I currently have not found any evidence of new material to arrive, this EP certainly does its job of extending the interest of listeners in the meantime, and rewards listeners who give it multiple listens with its great attention to details. Perhaps this release does not quite hit the spot as much as the previous two full-lengths due to its length being a bit shorter, but the material present is just as strong and consistently has me pushing the play button repeatedly after it finishes.

See below for more reviews... ↓
More about Havukruunu...
Review: Kelle Surut Soi (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: Uinuos syömein sota (reviewed by Mjölnir)
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