Review: “Spirit From The Void” by Kaamos Warriors
After a trio of well received albums since forming in 2018 with the reactivation of Dark The Suns there was a question in our minds at least as to if Finnish Dark Metal project Kaamos Warriors would go on some form of hiatus due to the demands on multi instrumentalist Mikko Ojala (vocals, guitars, drums, keyboards) for both bands. A fourth studio album to follow “Ikuisen Talven Sarastus“, “Shadows of Northern Chaos” and “Kirous” seemed unlikely so soon, however joined by Jani Moilanen (guitars, acoustic guitars, solo guitars) and Jyri Moilanen (bass), the warriors have returned…
Known for combining the melancholy of the North and coldness of winter in their music Kaamos Warriors have had a distinctive Black Metal aesthetic since they were conceived, with hooded cloaks and corpse paint perhaps showing some inspiration from bands like Behemoth but while there have been undeniable Black Metal elements, their sound has always been far more dynamic. “Spirit From The Void” sees the trio indulging more in Symphonic elements to bring darker swirling and often ice cold atmospheres with Gothic overtones, something which has always been a part of their sound but has been taken off the leash here to run through the fields under the cover of night. Ojala’s trademark gravel throated vocal style is very much integral to everything the band do (and there are moments on this record where he reaches hitherto unheard lows) but here extended instrumentals and odd spoken word elements give another dimension while the expansive nature of the music has becomes more spellbinding at the album plays out. Before the albums first single, footage of Jani Moilanen playing the solo from “Varjojen Vaeltaja” (or “Hiker of Shadows“) appeared on social media and the fact he was armed for the apocalypse with an eight string guitar that was something of a surprise but its put to good use with thunderous rhythms driving each of the songs forward through the darkness. The solos on cuts like “Tyhjyyden Kulkija” (or “The Wanderer of Emptiness“) and “Chamber of the Stars” are jaw dropping and head turning but the way that they have crafted songs the blend genres that encompass Death, Doom and Symphonic extremes in such a cohesive way is what really makes for an album of note even before the powerhouse of “Into Thy Light” drives down the darkness with Progressive Tech Metal leaning guitar work in gloriously Gothic Symphonic context. Each element has been carefully thought out and placed with precision so that they interweave with perfect balance between the guitars and the synths with neither overpowering the other while at the same time providing intricacies that pop out of the mix with each each repeated listen. Deviating from the left hand path for a fleeting moment, the cinematic “Catacombs of Existence” with its huge tribal drum patterns and vibrant tapping guitar passage is something completely unexpected in the context of the album but works incredibly well before the demonic vocals of Ojala cut against the angelic chorus of “Surun Mustat Siivet” (or “Black Wings of Sorrow“) to create a powerful and yet darkly melancholic finale [8/10]
Track listing
1. In Blood and Spirit
2. Vapaus
3. The Flames of the Dragon
4. Varjojen Vaeltaja
5. Tyhjyyden Kulkija
6. Into Thy Light
7. Chamber of the Stars
8. Catacombs of Existence
9. Surun Mustat Siivet
“Spirit From The Void” by Kaamos Warriors is out 8th April 2022 via Inverse Records and is available over at bandcamp.