Review: “As A Unit” by Hagalas

Recorded in an old cottage at the shore of Lake Päijänne with Samuli Raappana from Tuuliajo in charge of recording and mixing with mastering in Sweden by Tony Lindgren (Amorphis, Dark Tranquillity) from the iconic Fascination Street Studios Örebro, Sweden who was taught by Jens Bogren (At The Gates, Sepultura), “As A Unit” marks the sophomore EP of Jyväskylä, Finland based Melodic Death Metal act Hagalas. While those recordings took place in 2021, the record has lyrical themes that resonate with the current state of the World and the situation in the Ukraine with War, Refugeedom and the struggle of humanity at the heart of a quartet of cuts that comprise the record…

The original line up of the band released half an hour of power in “Crimson Tide” back in 2018 with a trio of singles in “Catalyst“, “Ascendant” and “Monochromatic” surpassing 30k of Spotify streams alone as line up changes now mean that the quintet feature two former members of Kea and two current members of SemiOK in their ranks with . Its also now  clear that there has been something of a change in influence on the new material with Insomnium, In Flames and Children Of Bodom now being referenced. So the anticipation is of rich and vibrant leads over powerful rhythms based on the Gothenburg Sound that inspired the 2003 Metalcore scene in the US and on that score Hagalas do not disappoint. Opening cut “Rampant” is a thinly veiled message to the powers that be the masses will break the chains of oppression in the search for freedom with former Vuolla vocalist Kalle Korhonen offering up a call to arms in larynx threatening fashion as he screams “Crush the enemy! They will taste fear! Crush the enemy! We will taste blood!” during the chorus. Thematically it’s more in tune with Sabaton and Power Metal but Halagas have far more grit and intensity about them, you can picture the quintet spilling blood in the mud while rhythmically there are some tight pre-breakdown riffs that dispense with the leads as new drummer Teemu Kankainen is given the opportunity to show off a little.

The narrative is continued into the melancholic and almost mournful lead guitars of “Animal Farm“, a sombre and sobering piece that depicts the population as slaves to provide taxes as if in Medieval times. Korhonen’s provides thought provoking lyrics and a spoken word that politicians should require as part of their basic training as the music offers a slow dance through Melodic Death Metal standards with crunchy modern production that elevates it. The consequences of sitting on your hands while society decays to dystopic totalitarianism are discussed in “Destination: Genocide” which continues the sonic flow nicely with punchy staccato riffs from Antti Huovila and other new man JM Helenius (who also happens to be the bassist in Lost Madison) to break up the sections between the leads. It’s the finest vocal performance on the record from Korhonen, who brings some longer more drawn out throat shredding roars, perhaps inspired by something more personal behind the lyrical narrative. A very well worked melodic break that introduces some buried icy keys adds to the texture as the drama is turned up by a whispered vocal before the final onslaught that is perfectly balanced. The finale “As A Unit” describes fighting and endless, faceless War as one nation with fists clenched, each person as an individual making a difference to the collective. Burning melodic guitars break into thunderous blast beats and rampaging guitars before dropping back to create something of smouldering intensity finishes what is actually a timeless Melodic Death Metal EP in the most fitting of ways [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Rampant
2. Animal Farm
3. Destination: Genocide
4. As A Unit

“As A Unit” by Hagalas is out now via Inverse Records and is available over at bandcamp