Review: “Sons of Alaheim” by Miehala

Inspired by the golden age of 80’s Thrash Metal with influences from both Death and Doom Metal, Finnish Thrash Metal outfit Miehala rose from the ashes of Carnage, Desmodus and Uncle Candy in 2021. In a twist on convention, drummer Elias Lepistö acts as the main vocalist with guitarist Tuomas Lepistö also performing the lead vocal parts in a few songs, their debut album “Gods Of Death” was written and recorded as a three piece. The arrival of second guitarist Mika Kähärä of Pieksämäki who makes his recording debut here serves to bolster the ranks and give more expansive opportunities…

Harking back to the aforementioned golden age of Thrash, as a record “Sons Of Alaheim” has that raw edged tape traded demo feel about it with opening cut “Torch The Children” very much sounding like an early Slayer demo dug out of the archives. A frenetic hive of activity that sounds like it was recorded live in a rehearsal space, Elias Lepistö’s venomous snarling vocals over razor sharp riffs are a throwback to sweaty claustrophobic clubs with crowd surfers who know no fear. The air raid sirens of “War” then plays on classic genre themes with Military cadence chant along passages giving it something unique as the percussive battery provides covering fire. An earworm main riff dives the bayonet through the heart of the enemy before “Into The Void” brings some classic early Metallica style to the warriors table. A mid track flamenco guitar instrumental is an unexpected moment of beauty sandwiched between two halves of mid-tempo old school aggression that proves that there is more to Miehala than meets the eye and they don’t need to limit themselves to genre clichés if they don’t want to. “Altar” then returns to the earlier Death Thrash infusions with staccato riff breaks galore and a punchy aggressive attitude. Virgin sacrifices on an altar of blood haven’t sounded this good since Morbid Angel did it and the only thing that’s missing is a Flying V fretboard lighting bolt of a solo to raise the hairs on the back of the neck. A rampage through nightmarish realms, “Vision Of Violent Death” is a blistering affair that exposes the storytelling capacity of Elias Lepistö as he screams of feeling Satan’s breath at his back. Sinister, menacing and a damn fine time, this one is one you’re going to be spinning on the Devil’s Jukebox time and time again in glorious nostalgia [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Torch The Children
2. War
3. Into The Void
4. Altar
5. Vision Of Violent Death

“Sons of Alaheim” by Miehala is out 15th March 2024 via Inverse Records with pre-orders available over at bandcamp