Review: “Kaarnaköydet​” by Kouta

A year ago around the release of their debut EP “Aarnihauta” we interviewed Finnish Folk inspired Black Metal act Kouta only to discover that they had a long term plan in place and had already recorded a full length album in follow up to release in 2023. Titled “Kaarnakoydet” or “Dark Experiments” and recorded and mixed by Pekka Posio (Marrasmieli, October Falls, Seraphiel) before mastering by Svante Forsbäck (Delain, Rammstein, Amorphis) at Chartmakers, that album has finally completed something of a hibernation period and is ready for release. At its heart lies is an interweaving narrative, a gripping tale centred around the tragic story of two brothers the band exploring the complex and often tumultuous emotions of shame, guilt, and catharsis, inviting the listener to join them on a powerful and emotional journey of aesthetically peripheral discovery…

Unlike a lot of debut albums in the modern age “Kaarnaköydet​” is completely fresh and new, nothing has been brought across from the debut EP “Kaarnaköydet​” in any way shape or form, which is great because it doesn’t invalidate that first outing a year on. Instead we are treated to the sombre and sobering acoustic guitars and mother tongue of vocalist Antti Mäki with opening “Äitimaan Laulu” (or “Song Of The Motherland“) which has a traditional folk song air to it. Warm and inviting, it feels like a cautionary tale with almost tribal drum patterns from Ville Vitikka giving it a lift in the mid section and making for a peaceful introduction. That illusion is shattered by the second wave of Black Metal onslaught of the opening of “Turjan Takaa” (or “Behind Turja“) that smashes the mirror with a brick of blast beats. Then things get a little weird as the band dial in some Black ‘n Roll style theatrics that change the entire dynamic of the record, taking it in more of an avant-garde direction. That may be perceived by some as a risk but once you get your head around the style shift within the song, it becomes obvious that it works incredibly well with slick and bouncy guitars offering something fun and distinctive. Imagine if bands like The Bronx did Black Metal and you get the picture. On the other side of the coin entirely “Häpeä” (or “Shame“) sounds like a Soulfly or Ektomorf demo with thunderous percussive battery and sinister guitar work accompanied by throat grating uncleans from Mäki. How those two styles manage to sit side by side without the album sounding like a train wreck being the intriguing thing. Somehow the band have found balance on a knife edge, creating borders and boundaries with the limitations of the instruments they use and by sticking with the same guitar tones rather than imposing ones relating to style.

The extremes continue to push out with “Veriaura” (or “Blood Plow“) following a similar course to Korpiklaani, ploughing a furrow between the styles of the previous two cuts in majestic fashion, the court Jester sounds of the final moments cracking a smile with traditional instrumentation and harshly whispered vocals. Dialling up the aggression “Kurja Raakile” (or “Poor Raaki“) sounds like a rampaging bull with some incredible Black Metal drum fills from Vitikka making it one of the albums stand out cuts. Neck snapping as well as being menacing and sinister, it has a razor sharp edge which sets it apart from the pack in blood and thunder fashion. Tearing the fabric of space and time “Sukujyrkkämä” (or “Family Steep“) maintains the aggressive tendencies with an eerie lead part giving it a synth like false ending before bringing things back for a triumphant final chorus. That two cut consistency is a warning of an experiment to come with “Kylmä Kalvaa” (or “Cold Kalvaa“) which plays on the emotive side. Rising from dark melodies and intertwining male and female vocals into the powerful Black Metal register before dropping back it represents a power that few are able to harness as creatively as Kouta. There is risk and reward within the confines of these dark experiments and as a result this is one that is best served in its entirety, the thrill of this epic tragedy only realised over the full duration [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Äitimaan Laulu
2. Turjan Takaa
3. Häpeä
4. Veriaura
5. Kurja Raakile
6. Sukujyrkkämä
7. Kylmä Kalvaa

“Kaarnaköydet​” by Kouta is out 21st April 2023 and maybe available over at bandcamp.