Horna
Kuoleman Kirjo

One thing that is truly surprising about Metal and allows all fans to have a deeper insight into the music is the national set of characteristics that a Metal genre can have. There are features that are truly particular to a country and cannot be heard anywhere else in the world (except when someone is emulating things). And when it comes to Black Metal, this set of features can be noticed even more by listeners. There are certain characteristics in Finnish Black Metal that, once heard, you will know it is a Finnish band playing, as is the case with the quintet HORNA, as can be heard in 'Kuoleman Kirjo', their latest release. It is a brutal and aggressive form of traditional Finnish black metal that is shared by names like AZAGHAL, BARATHRUM, and others: the quintet has a consolidated personality due to the many years on the scene (the band has been active since 1994). But the morbid and dark charm of their songs is fascinating for Black Metal fans, with an incredible raw energy flowing through their songs. So it can be said that 'Kuoleman Kirjo' maintains their level. The sound quality of the album is what the quintet has offered since its inception: a raw and rough approach to make their songs as unpleasant and brutal as possible. They are an Old School Black Metal band, so there is nothing wrong with that. But they have learned over the years to record in such a way that listeners can understand what they are playing and expressing in their songs. It's really very good. When they listen to the album, many will understand why the name HORNA is praised by many Black Metal fans. And songs like 'Saatanan Viha' (brutal and fast, but with very good arrangements, especially on bass and drums), 'Elegia' (a song with many rhythm contrasts, creating a great set of environments, and the raw guitar riffs are really good), 'Sydänkuoro' (a roaring and unpleasant song, full of a dark and raw feeling at the moderate speed of the tempos and the sensible Hardcore influence), 'Elävänä, Kuolleena' (the slow and bitter speed of this song shows the value of the vocals and guitars, and some suggestive melodies can be heard), 'Haudattujen Tähtien Yönä' (this shows agonizing clean vocal melodies in some parts, along with the funeral atmosphere that slow rhythms can bring), 'Rakas Kuu' (brutal and oppressive, there are excellent rhythmic contrasts and excellent guitar riffs), 'Mustat Vuodet' (another set of excellent guitar parts with subjective melodies, even with these fast parts) and 'Veriuhri' (some good technical parts on the rhythms are really very good) Are examples that the quintet can offer to Black Metal fans. HORNA has the same Finnish Black Metal DNA that all their compatriots have, but they also have a personality. Listen to 'Kuoleman Kirjo' and enjoy without moderation.