Review: “Kave” by Where’s My Bible

What better way to celebrate a decade of destruction than to release a highly anticipated sophomore album? After a hugely successful Latin American tour that saw them play stages in Brazil, Chile, Peru and Argentina off the back of critically acclaimed EP in 2022’s “Circle“, that is the left hand path that Finnish Blackened Melodic Death Metal heroes Where’s My Bible have chosen. Known for their lyrics which combine the struggles of the human mind and Nordic mythology as a metaphor, three singles have surfaced from “Kave” over the past 12 months, whetting the appetite for the album. Recorded and mixed in house by guitarist Pasi Löfgrén (Anonoument, ex-Mustan Kuun Lapset) at Inka Studio before being mastered once again by Juho Räihä (Swallow The Sun, Omnium Gatherum, Wolfheart) at Soundspiral audio, this time out the band are joined by new bassist Juho Jokimies (Night People, Thy Row) for his studio debut. Rounding the group are vocalist Jussi Matilainen (Anima Hereticae, ex-As the Sun Falls), guitarist Toni Hinkkala and drummer Teppo Ristola (Anima Hereticae, Lost in Grey, Paara)…

An aching piano introduction piece in “” (or “Night“) sends a chill down the spine as a delicately poised sombre and sobering moment of dark beauty before the powerful riffs and skull splitting vocals of “Màni” (or “Man“) smash the mirror in fear. A brutal assault on the senses that balances groove laden Deathcore in the chorus with Gothic overtones and Black Metal, it finds Matilainen sounding like he has a split personality. Demonstrating an incredible range from banshee like shriller moments to demonic death growls alongside intense and weighty music, he has the bands destiny within his hands. As the cliché goes, variety is the spice of life and in honing their sound Where’s My Bible have found a balance that deeply satisfying while not being afraid to take a risk. “Fenrir” sees the introduction of Orchestration and a melodic break with just a hint of Folk Metal influences as well as a delicate yet powerful clean sung passage which works stunningly well as they seek to broaden their horizons. A few years ago, they wouldn’t have dared but now anything is possible, such is the confidence flowing through the veins of these masterful musicians. “Suden hetki” (or “Wolf Moment“) has its roots in Gothenburg with In Flames or perhaps Dark Tranquillity an influence on the melodic chorus parts which stand out boldly against the brutal verses that are so damned heavy it would take a nation of millions to drag them out of the tar pit.

If you’re not screaming “tick, tick, tock!” along with Matilainen on the first listen to “Creator of Abyss” then you might want to consult a physician because the anthemic cut is so infectious with its Nu-Metal orientated powerhouse riff parts that resistance is futile. Fading into black from those riffs arise icy piano and spoken word as they showcase their song-writing skills before the orchestrated introduction of “Waves” takes hold. How the five piece blur the lines between sub-genres so well is mystifying but everything is so seamless it beggars belief. Capturing the Scandinavian melancholia perfectly between sections of chugging riffs, this one has a cinematic edge from synths as well as demonic vocals, balancing heavy and melodic guitars perfectly and even managing a sublime solo in the process. The half way point of this journey is marked by tribal interlude piece “Musta kuu” (or “Black Moon“) which takes a leaf out the Max Cavalera book of Soulfly and is perhaps a nod to those Latin American fans who have embraced them. Ushering in the age of blast beats “Kave” is as powerful and distinctive a title track as you’re likely to find anywhere, Where’s My Bible creating a track that is the very essence of what the album is about by combining all the elements into one easy to swallow pill. It’s so lethal that an interlude follows it in “Deyr sjalfr it sama” (or “Dies itself the same“) with a female vocal calling warriors home across an apocalyptic wasteland.

That cleanses the mind for “Ghost from the past” which has a savage opening verse of restless and relentless Black Metal blast beats before a Gothic style clean sung chorus with a Deathcore style unclean backing vocal. The contrast is immense as the band reach hitherto unheard territory in epic grandeur, an uncredited female vocalist giving a stunning final verse. As if that wasn’t enough “Rahko” then rises from the abyss, pushing the band deeper into Extreme Metal territory in pulsating fashion. This time around orchestrated moments add that sense of the epic with the savage harsh uncleans only breaking for a spoken word. The intensity of the track is second to none as the five piece take what was already a towering inferno and add fuel to the fire with the kind of verve and swagger that suggests they’re holding absolutely nothing back. Another perfectly placed interlude in “Runo” (or “Poem“) gives momentary respite before the final onslaught, only heightening the senses for the sublime “Sòl“. A powerful statement piece that resonates with a sense of impending self immolation, it takes the bands Deathcore rhythmic patterns and injects emotive, darkly negative clean sung passages of aching beauty. Soul stirring, its a moment that may find you questioning what you’ve just heard before the delicate “Aamu” (or “Morning“) finishes the collection with a moment to sooth the savage beast. Where’s My Bible have surpassed themselves this time and given us something of sublime quality… [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Yö
2. Màni
3. Fenrir
4. Suden hetki
5. Creator of Abyss
6. Waves
7. Musta kuu
8. Kave
9. Deyr sjalfr it sama
10. Ghost from the past
11. Rahko
12. Runo
13. Sòl
14. Aamu

Kave” by Where’s My Bible is out 11th September 2024 via Inverse Records

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