Horna
Askel Lähempänä
Saatanaa
10 Track Album
W.T.C Productions
Released 1st March
2013
Blackest Metal from Horna
Written for www.Brutalism.com
Horna – Tampere, Finland
Links:
Genre: Black Metal
In the bands
own words:
“Legion Horna was born in the year of 1993
through the diabolic union of Shatraug and Moredhel. In 1994 Horna was joined by drummer Gorthaur
and first demo “Varjoissa” was created in 1995. After two more or less
successful live appearances during spring 1996 Nazgul joined the congregation
on vocals leading the way to recording of “Hiidentorni” which eventually became
Horna’s debut album. Following
albums “Kohti Yhdeksän Nousua”, “Haudankylmyyden Mailla”, “Perimä Vihassa ja
Verikostossa” and “Sudentaival” were made with the same line-up, not to forget
E.P releases of the same years, until Nazgul left the band through transition
to become Satanic Warmaster.
In 2002 Horna was joined by new vocalist Corvus
who remained one of the leading forces of the band for nearly a decade, being
part of all the albums through the years along with Shatraug, when some of the
more permanent members were not part of all recording sessions. Since 2002 Horna also became a dominant force with
live desecrations all over the world, having raided the continents with
European and North-American tours. Despite many lineup changes Horna has always remained strong under
the guidance of the only remaining original member Shatraug.
Through-out the
years the lyrics of Horna ventured
from harsh anti-Christian hatred and paganism to devoted exaltations of the
occult, the mysteries of the dark side of mankind and Satanism from youthful
outbursts of anger to ever more maturing Inner enlightenment.
In 2010 the
ever-changing line-up had another turmoil with Corvus leaving the band and the
previously joined session vocalist Spellgoth took over. Middle of 2012 Qraken
who had been playing bass live since 2008 decided to concentrate on his main bands and he was replaced
by Hex Inferi. Through the years nothing has stopped us and there is no end to
predict yet either”
On pressing
‘play’ I noticed the air turn considerably colder, a shrill dark and striking
ambience filled the room and the sound of a dominant scornful voice flooded my
ears, through the malevolent evil of Satanistic rhythms.
The atmospheric
turmoil of dark ambient tones, added to the epic themes of strong, powerful and
indeed mesmerising performances of five accomplished musicians, who believe
100% in delivering what epitomises hell, evil and all that flourishes and yet
decays from its gnarly bones.
Black metal
mayhem is upon us. I have noticed that
the Finnish Black Metal bands are unyielding, uncompromising and compelling,
they deliver more than what is required and with so much professionalism - Horna are one such band.
There is a lot
of beefed up rhythms, thickening blast beats, mood changes inciting plenty of
scope and all executed to perfection. Horna
never lose sight on the grim and nasty and what is contained within the
album is necessary to keep the listener focused and what’s more they have
managed to unlock a potential gold mine of menacing, resilience that will no
doubt stand the test of time as they have indeed come this far on their 20
years hellish journey.
There is not
anything on this album that has not been done before, but the mere fact remains,
the band have captured the element of sinister and delivered a high calibre
album that harbours menacing intent and done so to perfection and that has to
gain them some credibility surely?? There is no short change from this album,
which does strongly deliver, despite me not understanding the titles although I
have tried to translate a few, there is no getting away from the daunting
ferocity contained within its very black core and it probably is not too
difficult to understand that Horna have
embraced anti-Christian tracks through to Paganism and finally come out the
other side waving the occult flag.
My only
negative aspect was that after a while the tracks do tend to sound quite
similar so it may be worth the band trying to add to their sound and
incorporate more rhythms of doom laden beats into a more up tempo beat which
will add more flavour to their blackened tomb, but other than that the album
has no flaws for sentiment and is harsh and unworldly.
Horna give a new meaning to ‘The Dark Arts’
and will pluck the eyes from the disbelievers, without giving a second thought
– a highly intense listen, but did you expect anything less from a Finnish
Black metal band? I should think not!
4/5
Tracklist:
Alku – Start/Intro
Askel Lähempänä Saatanaa – A Step closer to Satan
Kunnia Herralle, Kuninkaalle – Glory to the Lord
Kuolema Kuoleman Jälkeen – After the Death of Death
Yhdeksäs Portti – The Ninth Gate
Ei Aikaa Kyyneleille – No time for tears
Kärsimyksin Vuoltu Hänen Valittuna Äänenään – His suffering
Aamutähden Pyhimys – Morning Star Saints
Pala Tai Palvele -
Ota Omaksesi, Luoksesi -
Members:
Spellgoth - Vocals 2009
Shatraug - Guitar, Vocals 1993
Infection – Guitar, Vocals 2003
Hex Inferi - Bass 2012
Vainaja - Drums 2006
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