Review: “Surun Paino” by Hautajaisyö

Having mused on themes of death, melancholy, depression, suicide and failure for the past two decades (if you count their time as Redeye) things aren’t about to change any time soon for Finnish Death Metal lovers Hautajaisyö (or “Funeral Night“). Written between 2023 and 2025, the songs they’ve committed to tape for their fifth album “Surun Paino” (or “Weight of Sorrow“) have all been performed live, the band testing ideas on audiences with a desire to add more in the way of old school Death Metal while retaining their characteristic Thrash and Black Metal elements. Produced, recorded and mixed in house by guitarist Sami Lustig who is surrounded by the familiar figures of vocalist Janne Partanen, bassist Simo Pesonen and drummer Teemu Roth, it is reported that the band tried to make things sound live to give the album greater emotional impact. Mastered by Janne Tuikkala (Dawn of Everwinter, Verilehto, Muria) and wrapped in artwork by Minttu Koskinen (Unjoyful Play), let the sorrow begin…

Vocalist Janne Partanen comments: “‘Maan Nielemä’ is one of my favourite songs from the new album. It hits like a hammer on hot metal, and you can feel the darkness of the song. Making the video was damn fun. We had a rough idea of what we wanted to do, and we tried to keep the costs down. Then we just ‘hit our heads against the wall’ until we had the finished video.”

If you were expecting melancholy and the infinite sadness from Hautajaisyö then we can only assume you’re unindoctrinated in their ways, in which case the intense and bloodthirsty Death Thrash beast that is “Surun Paino” (or “Weight of Sorrow“) will soon open your mind in the worst possible way. A brute of a mid tempo track laced with buzzsaw riffs and old school drum patterns it has that sonic weight that is undeniable with Partanen’s throat shredding vocals as caustic as they come. They say that one good turn deserves another so it is no surprise that after the skull crushing title track “Maan Nielemä” (or “Swallowed by Dirt“) hits like a concrete slab to the face. Another powerhouse of a tune with anvil heavy groove sections and rampaging rhythmic battery, it’s a masterclass in old school sounds and it has to be said, if it ain’t broken don’t fix it.

By the time “Kuusi Kantajaa” (or “Six Bearers“) hits its clear that Hautajaisyö have managed to capture the energy of their live performances with the sinister lead guitars from Lustig and inventive drum fills from from Roth turning the embers into a towering inferno by the bitter end. Partanen’s vocals are particularly demonic on this one, their fierce nature ensuring that his presence is felt on each and every one of these brutal tracks. There is a little more Black Metal atmosphere to the tale of “Kasvoton Kuljettaja” (or “Faceless Driver“), the driving riffs and savage backing vocals adding to the thunderstorm of percussion and rumbling bass. Whats interesting about this one in particular is that there are moments where the band threaten to push into Extreme Metal territory and could easily have embellished this one with synths, programming or leads to make it sound more epic but instead they stick to what they know and that stripped back approach is one that serves them well.

Vocalist Janne Partanen comments: “‘Kuusi Kantajaa’ has been a hit with audiences from the moment it was first performed live. As the audience shouts along with the choir, the song is taken to a new level. This song has a similar feel to our older hit, ‘Revin Ihoni Rikki’, but only time will tell if it will be as popular.”

Just when you thought that the intensity couldn’t be increased that much more the four piece come out swinging with “Hetki Viimeinen” (or “The Last Moment“), a savage statement of intent with enough menacing groove laden riffs to sink a battleship. You just can’t help but crack a smile and bang your head despite the depravity of it all which is what makes it so fearfully addictive. Bursts of blast beats and Black Metal riffs between the potent Death Metal sections makes “Lyhyt Matka Hautaan” (or “Short Journey to the Grave“) an electrifying experience, the surprise being a few fleeting moments of Traditional Heavy Metal that raise an eyebrow but grow on you like a parasite with each repeated listen.

Partanen sounds like a wrathful Viking God throwing lightening bolts down on those who would cross his path on the monstrous “Eloton” (or “Lifeless“), the Finnish Death Metal quartet taking a leaf from the book of bands like God Syndrome or Cauldron Of Hate with this tumultuous offering. The riffs from Lustig are a non stop headbangers delight from start to finish on this record, the creative decision to keep the melodies nuanced in favour of a weighty, crushing sound something to be applauded. It works because its cohesive and not monotonous, having a restless and relentless quality that you simply can’t help but enjoy. Final cut “Haaskalinnut Minut Muistaa” (or “The Wasp Birds Remember Me“) demonstrates a love of the Swedish HM-2 sound with its raw distortion, the shriller but no less harsh backing vocals a nice contrast to the fierce death growls punch you full in the face as this one takes shape. A bit of lead in the final moments before the crows caw is as close to a grand finale as this band will ever reach and you’ve got to love them for that [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Surun Paino
2. Maan Nielemä
3. Kuusi Kantajaa
4. Kasvoton Kuljettaja
5. Hetki Viimeinen
6. Lyhyt Matka Hautaan
7. Eloton
8. Haaskalinnut Minut Muistaa

“Surun Paino” by Hautajaisyö is out 20th March 2026 via Inverse Records and is available over at bandcamp