Ajattara - Noitumaa

OK, right from the get go I need to make it expressedly clear that I am highly biased
when it comes to Ajattara. Being a fan of Amorphis and Pasi's vocals, I was already on board before I even heard them. So, from their very first album I have been a dedicated fan of their unique sound. With that said, I will now attempt to give a fair and balanced review of the new effort, "Noitumaa".

It seems with this kind of music, black/folk metal, you either have an intense passion for it or against it.There is really no middle ground. Of course, some readers right now are probably formulating an argument against what I just said but for the most part it is true. So when I first got Ajattara's new disc to review it felt as if a war was already waging before it even was put into the cd player.

First of all, this is an acoustic black/folk metal album. Egads and ods bodkins! I know what you are probably thinking and believe me, I felt the same upon hearing that it was as such before getting the disc. But yep, no denying it. It's acoustic..not one single electric instrument throughout the entire album. Instead, they have created some of the darkest sounds ever recorded upon traditional acoustic instruments. The outcome is an extremely dark, tribal like sound that conjures up images of ancient pagan ceremonies to summon up dark ancient gods for nefarious deeds. So, all in all....it is a brilliant piece of progression in the black metal genre.





The instruments are extremely downtuned and this adds to the overall heaviness of the sound. This is a brilliant example of why Ajattara is such a good band. They utilize so many different sounds and efforts on this album to bring forth a true acoustic feel to it wihtout losing the overall intensity. On top of the traditional guitars and bass, they are using a Jew's Harp(mouth harp), pump organ, an accordian, cello and violin, and tribal drums that sound as if they are being beaten upon with bones.

"What about the vocals?", I am sure some of the readers are now wondering. No worries there, they are true to Pasi's black metal style and have not been hindered whatsoever. At times he even presents some darkly beautiful melodies while maintaining his demon spawned growl.



"Noitumaa" is likely one of the most interesting acoustic albums I have ever heard and with good reason. It is very odd and unreasonably charming. The production is spectacular and the performance is top notch. In fact, if you can find an acoustic album out there with greater clarity, I would be surprised. In the sea of acoustic releases over the past decade, it is really nice to encounter such a standout album. It may not be for everyone and some of the fans of this bands heavy albums may actually despise it. Who knows? If you love Black Metal and acoustic performances then you will certainly appreciate and enjoy this release. Personally, I think if you are a fan of black metal and don't love it..there is something wrong with you.


Band: Ajattara
Album: Noitumaa
Label: Ranka Records(Finland)
genre: Black/Folk Metal/Experimental
Rating: 5/5
Rapidshare: Here
Torrent: Here

By Bez

Thirst - Blacklight

A solid period of fifteen years the Polish duo Thirst has under its belt. Curiously, or let’s better say tragically nobody seemed to give a damn about them in yon space of time, maybe except for some patriots. Admittedly, one definitely wasn’t suchlike conspicuous in the past. Indeed, two full albums, three demos and one split are a firm balance. But among this there’s nothing which raised a kind of real attention.

So, for the jubilee one comes up with a full-lengther, which at least technically dwarfs all the former stuff of the band. Obviously, one attaches great importance to a powerful and unutterable massive sound. Though, musicians, especially in this genre, first of all with this make a glaring mistake. Because, only a few things are more horrible for a listener than having to endure what one for himself wishes to relish in a mostly rawer sound-garb. “Blacklight” after some cycles of listening embodies exactly this wish. Viewed musically, throughout effective riff-leadings are expressed, which, though, not necessarily emerge in frequency, but in their certain moments, be it those of evilness, melancholy or coldness, without doubt show force.

Otherwise this force steadily decreases rapidly when yon winks are strangulated in form of unexpectedly annoying breaks and this absolute massiveness. One has to imagine that like following: The throughout high tempo by dint of the clearly overproduced and artificial drums builds up a bass-dominated wall, which only after some time fills the listener with antipathy. Additionally, the anywhere polished sounding guitars squeeze into the arrangement and by virtue of their baggy character develop a kind of warm aura, what in the end also for the appearance of many riffs is everything else than conducive. Finally, one adds some chant as well as a bass-guitar-layer and some symphonic keyboard-elements, and already this can become too much. To pile it on one would say for that. And de facto the arguably well meant overdose of sound-quality displaces everything what this music without question was able to rear up: atmosphere.

This would –while taking the Emperor-sound from `94 - whirr around in gloomy fields of magic, of black magic; would sound infernal and occult, soothed by some latent kept moments of light.It's not the best Black metal disc I have ever heard...but it is definitely better than the horrible ones I have had to endure over the last couple of years. Too bad they decided to go for a more polished sound instead of paying tribute to the Gods of youre like Emperor and Bathory's first couple of discs. Sometimes raw IS better.


Download here

Artist: Thirst
Album: Blacklight
Genre: Progressive/Melodic Black Metal
Website: www.myspace.com/thirstbm
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

By Bez