Horna (Finland): “Kuoleman Kirjo”

Tomorrow, on Immaculate Conception day, one of the most satanic bands around will release a new album. It is Finnish Horna, old glory of black metal active since 1993 (if we also consider the period as Shadowed), and now back with a full length five years after Hengen tulet. However, the band has not been inactive over this period, having released splits, EP's, compilations, and a live album. Not only that, but the Finnish band has also renewed the lineup, having recruited drummer LRH and bassist VnoM, who both make their first appearances on a Horna full length. The new lineup has certainly rejuvenated and reinvigorated the band's sound, which at the same time remains essentially genuine and faithful to the band's ideal, though. Well, the new album Kuoleman Kirjo may not have its strength in power, nor is it as harsh and furious as one might expect, but it is morbidly melodic, such as the opener “Saatanan Viha”. The strength of this album is instead in the much more compelling mid-tempos in songs like “Sydänkuoro”, “Rakas kuu”, and “Haudattujen tähtien yönä”. In particular, the latter combines the mid-tempo with a clean, slightly folk singing, which makes it very gripping also thanks to the backing guitar riff. The sound is, in my opinion, a little muffled; from a band like Horna I would have expected sharper and more aggressive guitars. Either way Kuoleman Kirjo is definitely a very good album and one of the best black metal releases in 2020.
 
Notes:
Release date of Kuoleman Kirjo: December 8, 2020 through World Terror Committee as CD, double vinyl, and digital release.
 
Personnel:
Shatraug - guitars
Infection - guitars
Spellgoth - vocals
LRH - drums
VnoM – Bass
 
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com