It’s easy to stereotype about heavy metal. Sure, this can result in some very amusing things – if you haven’t roared with laughter at the mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, you either a) haven’t seen it or b) have no sense of humour. The reality is that for all those who scoff at metal and its multiple sub genres (an opportunity for people vastly more informed than I to write about), there are many people for whom it’s a way of life and a constant soundtrack. If your response is simply to dismiss it as show-off solos and pseudo Staanism, then you’re not really giving it a fair chance.
Kaunis Kuolematon is Finnish for ‘Beautiful Immortal.’ Much of the band’s music is in Finnish, but don’t let that put you off. Hailing from the town of Hamina, the band has maintained its original lineup from the very beginning – impressive for a band in any genre. Their profile has risen in Finland, though still cult enough that they don’t have a Wiki page in English.
I’ve often written about the sense of magnificent Scottish melancholia on this site (start with Mogwai and Arab Strap and see where it leads you). The press release states that Kaunis Kuolematon bring a uniquely Finnish sense of sorrow, beauty, and resilience. It may be something to do with the extreme winters which make the British Isles seem very mild by comparison, but whatever it is, I find it deeply satisfying. Alas, I had to use google translate for some parts of this album, but the reality is that I was enjoying it enough to not get sidetracked from an album that I’ve been coming back to quite a few times. Oh, and the album translates as ‘When The Light In Me Died.’
If you just see this type of metal as being growled vocals, or draw-dropping speed, you’re not seeing the whole picture. Sure, those vocals are here, but they are counter-balanced with clean vocals and while lot of atmosphere that’s as good as any as you might find on a post-punk or progressive rock album. It’s also very melodic and probably a whole lot easier to get to grips with than you might think. Personally, I was intrigued from the moment that the album’s first single ‘Merta‘ dropped into my already overcrowded inbox. Sure there’s outright metal moments, but the impressive thing is the way they are counterbalanced by moments that are almost like classical music. It doesn’t jar, rather it just shows the magic within…As for the highlights within, I don’t know, because I don’t think there’s a duff track within. ‘Maailman Ainut Ihminen‘ or ‘Rauniot’ are up there with the best of them.
The reality is that if you don’t care for metal, this won’t be for you. But if you’re willing to open your mind, this album will show you that there is more to the death and doom sub-genres than the lazy stereotypes, and that for all the darkness there is a lot of skill, creativity and, yes, beauty to be found within.
