Review: “Liha” by K.Y.M.I.

The work of mastermind, multi instrumentalist and vocalist Kalle Ylönen, “Liha” is a debut record from K.Y.M.I. about everyday life during the busy adult years and the mid-life crisis. Naturally its is written cathartically in the medium of Deathgrind from Päijät-Häme in Finland with each track described as an emotionally charged outburst. Tuukka Ojansivu (One Morning Left, ARF, ex-In Process), a strong supporter of the project, is responsible for arranging the songs and recording the instruments, while vocal recording, mixing and mastering of the album was done by Pasi Löfgren (Craniumblast, ARF) at Inka Studios…

An 88 second introduction piece cunningly titled “Intro” has something of a mind cleansing effect as a melodic guitar plays an almost mournful melody with a spoken word before rising dramatically into “Piina” (or “Torment“) at which point the brutal vocals of Ylönen are unleashed. They cut against powerful percussion and Blackened riffs and the opening cut proper hits like a punch in the guts. In truth both tracks are like conjoined twins, never to be separated because one doesn’t function without the other. They share a bloodline in the main riff, the melodic stepping up into something more abrasive without going too far. “Raatelija” (or “A Predator“) is a story of a father suffering from a constant lack of sleep. The few mornings when it would be possible to sleep are repeatedly shattered by the relentless pet cat who wake its master in its hunger for food. Another savage assault on the senses with a few flat sounding cymbal hits suggesting that a drum machine has been brought to the studio like an IED, this one roars like a beast as Ylönen vents his spleen. The groove laden riff section on the back end is one that you don’t want to stop because its an absolute neck snapper. When it stops on a dime, it’s like the handbrake has been placed firmly on but that’s Death Grind and all she wrote. Fortunately the Groove Death riffs continue into title track “Liha” (or “Meat“) which hits like one of those bricks Macaulay Culkin throws in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York. All sugar, full fat and as caffeinated as Skull Crusher coffee, it’s the title track the record deserves even if it doesn’t have the flat line speed of some of its predecessors.

In a similar vein “Huuto” (or “Call“) finds Ylönen at his spitting, snarling and sneering finest vocally, roaring his lungs out over the powerhouse rhythms which leave no surrounding building standing. The rumbling bass and driving riffs feel like they’re the kind of thing Max Cavalera would put his name to on a side project, deceptively simple and yet deadly at the same time. Energy levels increase with the intensity of the savage two minute burst of “Pirut” (or “The Devils“), a couple of almost Slam vocal inspired passages the metaphorical equivalent of throwing fuel on an already towering inferno. Up to this point the damage inflicted upon the cranium by the riffs meant no need for any leads or solos however Ylönen proves he has that in his armoury with 30 seconds of flamboyance which could have been conducted by Marc Rizzo himself. It’s a special moment before the punch in the face of “Hemicrania“, a cut about what a massive headache attack would sound like musically. Migraines and other recurring attacks such as these are not only painful but also emotionally draining and the longest cut on the record is one soaked in Death Thrash attitude. What sounds like a ritualistic moment leading to the act of trephination to let the pain out of the hole is cleverly worked, giving that low budget horror film vibe while the non stop barrage of riffs and pummelling percussion hits from all angles. An album with which it pays to expect the unexpected is concluded with an eerie melodic piece in “Lohtu” (or “Comfort“), delicate vocals and an acoustic guitar bringing the curtain down as if playing over the radio in a nuclear fallout shelter after the apocalypse has taken place [7.5/10]

Track listing

1. Intro
2. Piina
3. Raatelija
4. Liha
5. Huuto
6. Pirut
7. Hemicrania
8. Lohtu

“Liha” by K.Y.M.I. is out 27th September 2024 via Inverse Records and is available over at bandcamp.