Review by Adam M on March 3, 2015.

East of the Wall is a band that is difficult to categorize because they combine post metal, progressive metal and metalcore into one big melting pot. There is an energetic combination of all of the above at all times and it leads to a constantly varied and exciting mixture. There are plenty of contrasts in heaviness levels and shifts in momentum to be found here.

This band has had plenty of practice from previous albums as well as from the excellent Terraforming album by The Postman Syndrome. This album is also highly comparable to that top-notch release and perhaps even something like Thrice in its use of vocals. Hardcore shouts mix with gentle singing in the most seamless of fashions. Though they may take some time to adapt to, the vocals are certainly a strong point on the album. No matter what tangent the band embarks upon, the musicians are able to match each moment with the appropriate mood. The use of atmosphere can be seen on the diverse Third-Person Camera. This type of music is a breath of fresh air because there isn’t a lot of metal or rock music that sounds exactly like it. East of the Wall crafts music that is always fresh and exciting. The problems with the disc become apparent when compared directly to The Postman Syndrome’s opus. This album is neither as focused or as memorable as that album, so there is definitely room for improvement here. A little bit of work might be required to make some of the sections gel more. There are a few moments that feel out of place here and there.

Still, since East of the Wall perform such a unique form of music overall, this is only nit picking. Mostly compelling and ambitious, Redaction Artifacts represents a strong effort of genre mixing.

8 out of 10

Review by Felix on November 25, 2023.

"Sudentaival", the third full-length by the long-lived authority known as Horna, dispenses with a preface. Drums, guitars and bass immediately burst out of the speakers with elemental force and it takes less than five seconds for the lead singer to scream his first hate-filled messages into the microphone. His ardent performance in combination with the infernal guitar leads, well executed tempo shifts, mega-heavy mid-tempo parts and a basic violence form an uncompromising opener. The only thing that surprises me is that no blood drips from the speakers. Guess they are broken.

Of course, there is not just one way how black metal can be performed. But the uttermost ferocious form to which Horna have dedicated themselves reflects a lot of the genre’s pure essence. And the more Horna walks the straightest path, the more their music starts to enlighten the cold Finnish nights. A fantastic killer like “Haudanusva” shows that merciless hammering of the drums and minimally melodic guitars can liaise in a very exciting way, but the sinister mid-paced segments of the track also work. The singer's vomit orgy at the end is equally stunning. But this is just a hint for those of you who cannot live without the delicate details.

The following “Skaldiriimu” is a little downer, because it illustrates that even the most unscrupulous bullies need a break from time to time. I don’t say that mega-atrocious is good and less furious is bad per se, but “Skaldiriimu” does not succeed in captivating me. All the more reason for me to welcome the fact that things are back to normal with “Kun synkkä ikuisuus avautuu“, even though it holds some pretty crude background vocals. But such details aside, it is ovious that the compositions of Horna convey the spirit of the genre in an authentic manner.

Okay, „Sudentaival“ is surely not the most atmospheric black metal album ever. Buit this is only logical, because its focus is definitely set on hateful aggression. Nevertheless, in rare moments melancholy and sadness flare up. The same goes for expressive riffs. Sometimes the generally apocalyptic approach almost suffocates the guitars, but the beginning of “Noidanloitsu” gives room to striking guitar lines. Of course, the density and violence of the quite raw production takes its toll and some nuances are falling by the wayside. Either way, after all there can be no doubt that “Sudentaival” is not perfect, but very good. Check out the title track, which is divided in two parts, a fatalistic slow-paced beginning with broad, flattening guitars and a typical murderous massacre after a short break. If you like this track, you will certainly enjoy the entire album as well. No doubt, Horna are one of the most famous of the five million Finnish black metal bands for a reason.

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

Review by Felix on November 25, 2023.

"Sudentaival", the third full-length by the long-lived authority known as Horna, dispenses with a preface. Drums, guitars and bass immediately burst out of the speakers with elemental force and it takes less than five seconds for the lead singer to scream his first hate-filled messages into the microphone. His ardent performance in combination with the infernal guitar leads, well executed tempo shifts, mega-heavy mid-tempo parts and a basic violence form an uncompromising opener. The only thing that surprises me is that no blood drips from the speakers. Guess they are broken.

Of course, there is not just one way how black metal can be performed. But the uttermost ferocious form to which Horna have dedicated themselves reflects a lot of the genre’s pure essence. And the more Horna walks the straightest path, the more their music starts to enlighten the cold Finnish nights. A fantastic killer like “Haudanusva” shows that merciless hammering of the drums and minimally melodic guitars can liaise in a very exciting way, but the sinister mid-paced segments of the track also work. The singer's vomit orgy at the end is equally stunning. But this is just a hint for those of you who cannot live without the delicate details.

The following “Skaldiriimu” is a little downer, because it illustrates that even the most unscrupulous bullies need a break from time to time. I don’t say that mega-atrocious is good and less furious is bad per se, but “Skaldiriimu” does not succeed in captivating me. All the more reason for me to welcome the fact that things are back to normal with “Kun synkkä ikuisuus avautuu“, even though it holds some pretty crude background vocals. But such details aside, it is ovious that the compositions of Horna convey the spirit of the genre in an authentic manner.

Okay, „Sudentaival“ is surely not the most atmospheric black metal album ever. Buit this is only logical, because its focus is definitely set on hateful aggression. Nevertheless, in rare moments melancholy and sadness flare up. The same goes for expressive riffs. Sometimes the generally apocalyptic approach almost suffocates the guitars, but the beginning of “Noidanloitsu” gives room to striking guitar lines. Of course, the density and violence of the quite raw production takes its toll and some nuances are falling by the wayside. Either way, after all there can be no doubt that “Sudentaival” is not perfect, but very good. Check out the title track, which is divided in two parts, a fatalistic slow-paced beginning with broad, flattening guitars and a typical murderous massacre after a short break. If you like this track, you will certainly enjoy the entire album as well. No doubt, Horna are one of the most famous of the five million Finnish black metal bands for a reason.

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

Review by Anna on June 16, 2009.

Though Misery has been around since 91, I can't say I've listened to them before. I suppose I have more... ahem, 'Black Metal' perspective on metal, which for those of you who dig this stuff may frown or cringe upon. Though this does not mean I'm not privy to or unable to appreciate what I, to myself, classify as "warm" or "hot" metal (as opposed to the "cold" sounds of black or otherwise 'depressive' metal. Perhaps this imagery will help: imagine the soundtrack of Satan reigning the underworld amidst fiery red/orange/yellow flames, versus the symphonies that accompany that iconic "cold" metal artwork where misty blacks, greys, purples, and blues dominate).

Now that this disclaimer has been made, if I had to describe Misery's sound in a few words, I would say something like: relatively catchy, even "groovy", blasphemous Death Metal, not of the technical, clicky sort, though well arranged and executed, complete with an undeniably apocalyptic, doomy soul. Neutral in feeling with a clean, mildly pleasant aftertaste. I would recommend "On Demon Wings" for likewise neutral activities such as household cleaning, cooking, or for relaxation and everyday activities in general. This stuff doesn't tend to stir the emotion in the slightest, where you find yourself biologically reacting, lightly bracing yourself in the form of a grimace or deeper than usual breathing, but it does stimulates the brain on a slightly more than superficial level. Lacking in eerie undertones, it can be enjoyed without overstimulation to the brain (where it starts to hurt a little, i.e. math metal. come on guys, I can't be the only one... feedback welcome) and none at all to the guts. If you're looking for a departure from Technical Death Metal with a slightly more "human" soul, an easy, perhaps more pleasant listen, Misery is a good choice. This album is also an excellent vacation for those of you who frequent the melancholy that underlies much of today's extreme metal. The heavy, full-sound is still there without being... miserable, as the band name implies.

Taken with a bar of chocolate and some excercise this formula should take some of the edge off of one's misery. The combined music and collaged visual imagery of the CD booklet gives me warm fuzzy feelings reminiscent of your chummy, perhaps unpretentious, laid-back local metal band, the sort you used to go to high school with, played with, or sat in on their practice drinking beer, making useless commentary in between songs, beer in hand. A heart-warming reminder that true metal still exists without the ego, attention to fashion, and VIP passes. Misery is not the show-offy, Guiness-book of world records sort in speed and technical skill, but that is not to say they are not precise or capable. They've got a bit more than a mechanical soul is all.

To summarize, "On Demon Wings" is down-to-earth, down-under Doomy Death Metal with excellent tone and variations in speed, and some scant guitar wails thrown in to jazz it up. With a good number of head-nodding riffs throughout, I can't say I was ever bored with this album at any point. I can see most people digging this on some level.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 7
Originality: 8
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.6 out of 10