Richard HolmesHavukruunu – Tavastland (Svart Records)
By the time Havukruunu arrived at 2017’s Kelle Surut Soi, the Finns had started to turn heads. Their Bathory-invoking, sweeping blackened metal blazed across Europe. 2020’s Uinuos syömein sota and the follow-up EP, Kuu Erkylän yllä, solidified their reputation… and saw the band appear on those festival wishlists.
And now we have Tavastland to explore.
Recently signed to Svart Records, the quartet have reached a critical juncture. Could they build on the momentum or falter, just as their stock had risen?
Thankfully it’s the former.
Tavastland is certainly more digestible for mainstream metallers, with founder, guitarist and chief songwriter Stefan Sorghammer describing it as “very accessible and neat”, despite his efforts to create “uneasy listening”. There are more mid-paced moments here, more emphasis on streamlined songwriting. The storm winds aren’t quite as strong.
Kuoleman Oma is a case in point, with a steady, muscular groove anchoring the track before it goes supernova; Yönsynty is another mid-pacer, and Sorghammer lets fly with some glorious leadwork that’s a long, long way from any black metal straightjacket fans have foisted on Havukruunu. Indeed, there are moments on this record that hint of latter day Enslaved, with all the classic, 70s flourishes that suggests. You get the feeling that the band just wanted to rock our a little.
But, as befits an opus inspired by a 13th century revolt against the Catholic Church, Tavastland’s core is formed from ancient iron… and the choral vocals, blast-beat driven melodies and steely riffery that are Havukruunu’s trademark remain.
More often than not, the results are breathtaking.
The goosebumps you felt when Bathory’s Shores In Flames, or Satyricon’s Mother North, first hit? They’ll be back as soon as opener Kuolematon Laulunhenki (translated, fittingly, as ‘immortal spirit of song’) rises. Indeed, to describe songs like the mountainous Kun veri sekoittuu lumeen as evocative would be a cruel understatement. You’re right there, gazing across a blood-soaked battlefield, an icy wind stinging the flesh.
Indeed, when Sorghammer says he is “in a trance” when creating this music, you believe him. It’s elemental, inspiring and utterly spellbinding. It’s what Havukruunu have been doing for years. But now, the world is taking notice.
Havukruunu photo by Heidi Kosenius.