Review: “Marionettes” by Morbid Intent

Having a wealth of experience playing in bands such as Mors Subita, Electric Deathbeat, Swansong, and Se, Josta Ei Puhuta drummer Jimi Myöhänen, bassist Janne Karjalainen, guitarist duo Mikko Lavander and Juho Näppä alongside vocalist and keyboardist Juha Väyrynen joined forces in Morbid Intent. Their intention was to create something that stands apart from their other ventures by combining a mutual love of Melodic Death Metal from the Gothenburg scene with the aggression of Extreme Metal. The quintet who hail from Oulu in Finland have Eemeli Bodde (Mors Subita, Casted, Denominate) at EVB Audio to thank for the mix and master of their debut EP “Marionettes” as well as Nikos Stavridakis (Wolfheart, Before the Dawn, Across the Shade) for the cover artwork as they offer up an exploration of the effects of oppression, manipulation, hatred, and toxic communication on the human psyche…

Acoustic guitars, eerie background noises and some haunting piano set the scene like a classic horror movie opening sequence with “The Night Draws Near” having an almost cinematic air about it. It’s not so much the calm before the storm as a warning to run like hell from the haunted house you’ve accidentally walked into seeking shelter from the rain but by the time  “Ashen Veil” beings the door has slammed shut and its too god damn late. Blast beats and urgent riffage tear through the ear canals like drill in the hands of a psychopath, Väyrynen mixing a shriller harsh vocal with some demonic death growls to decimate the weak. The groove laden guitar work is executed with neck snapping precision, a blistering solo and some staccato riff breaks fuelling the fire of the lyrical narrative in style.

There is a blackened quality to the opening flourishes of “The Manipulation Doctrine” as the band push into Extreme Metal territory with the death growled vocal parts from the opening cut used as the main vocal in this one. They’ve made good use of vocal layering too, a melodic drop for a little acoustic passage that builds atmosphere perfectly executed with sublime musicianship so you get that balance between the heavy and melodic that is perfectly weighted. Some Thrash riffs and Melodic Death Metal leads rise to the surface which bring early Unearth to mind but Morbid Intent are an entirely different beast.

Title track “Marionettes” will have fans racing for a circle pit rather than swaying to the symphony of destruction because large open air festival stages is what this angry anthem is made for, the rampaging riffs and powerful percussion creating a tornado of souls to drag this world straight to hell. The breakdown is just as slick as the ripper of a solo making this one exactly what it should be, a complete firecracker of a tune. Last but by no means least “Vitriol Shards” throws fuel on the fire to turn the record into a towering inferno with classic old school Melodic Death Metal roots turned into razor sharp riffs. The poise, power and energy of this one stir the soul with some majestic moments pushing into the very heart of Extreme Metal territory. Bursts of blast beats and symphonic flourishes are simply glorious, the non stop riff attack a joy to behold and in all fairness the only problem with this record is that it’s too short [9/10]

Track Listing

1. The Night Draws Near
2. Ashen Veil
3. The Manipulation Doctrine
4. Marionettes
5. Vitriol Shards

“Marionettes” by Morbid Intent is out 16th October 2026 via Inverse Records and is available over at bandcamp