On their second album release, the Finnish melodic black metal band, Verilehto steps deeper into the shadows of their homeland’s folklore, crafting an album whose title Aarnihauta feels less like a metaphor and more like a destination.
The album opens with the track Surutta Tapettu, which starts with the soft whisper of wind, the crackle of a distant fire, and the haunting hoot of an owl. The fragile calm is shattered in an instant as the music erupts. The guitars carve out melodic yet aggressive patterns, while the vocals burst in like a wild, feral scream that is raw, unrestrained and mirrors something ancient, violent and alive.
Nälänhätä, the second track, emerges slowly, carried by heavy, elongated chords that hang in the air. A steady, rising cymbal builds toward a quiet tension, drawing the listener deeper into the album’s shadowed world. Beneath this slow burn, a twisting beat begins to coil and shift, giving the song an uneasy pulse. When the vocals enter, they’re dark and guttural as well as taunting, almost enticing as if something ancient is calling.
The third and title track of the album Aarnihauta unfolds like a clash of two melodies twisting around each other, duelling in a way that feels slightly out of sync yet strangely intentional. Their tension creates a haunting pull, as if the song is being torn different ways. The vocals rise from beneath this tangle in deep, raspy waves, carrying an imploring edge that feels almost desperate.
Kalman Sotajuokko, the fourth track on the album, opens with demented, spiraling drums that drive the song forward with a feverish pulse. Screeching guitars slice through the chaos, their tone sharp and icy, while the riffs themselves are surprisingly intricate. The vocals strike in deep, staccato growls, each one landing like a blow.
The fifth track, Tuhkaverho, drives forward on a heavy, syncopated rhythm that feels both forceful and hypnotic. The guitars lock into a tight, pulsing groove while the drums carve out a pattern that keeps shifting just enough to stay unpredictable. Two distinct vocal styles collide, one a deep, feral growl, the other a raspier, more melodic snarl. Their duelling presence creates a tension that feels almost ritualistic.
Syöjätär, the sixth track on the album, has frenzied drums that feel completely unrestrained, hammering forward. The rhythm never settles, constantly shifting and surging. Beneath this curated chaos, the vocals rise in dark, guttural waves.
The final track on the album is Virvatulet and it opens with enticing guitars that feel like they’re luring you deeper one final time. Beneath them, the drums pulse with a throbbing, insistent rhythm, while the cymbals rise in shimmering crescendos that keep tightening the tension. The instruments seem to battle and intertwine, ebbing and flowing. Over this swirling and chaotic backdrop, the vocals take on a grisly yet surprisingly melodic edge.
This second album by Verilehto feels like a journey deep into the myth soaked forests of Finland. The album is melodic, raw, and steeped in the eerie spirit of 90s black metal. Every track carries its own blend of aggression and atmosphere, weaving together folklore, haunting melodies, and feral energy into something both chilling and beautiful.
If you’re drawn to black metal that balances melody with menace, or if you simply want to lose yourself in a world of dark folklore and icy riffs, this album is absolutely worth stepping into.
Links : YouTube : https://youtu.be/9Nv0osRDyyg?si=kU18FZuq3lvcw7Bw
Line-up:
Janne Tuikkala - Guitar, Drums, Synths, songwriting
Janne Partanen - Vocals, lyrics
Markus Räipiö - Bass & backing vocals
Album artwork was made by talented Awinita Alm and single artworks made by the band. "Aarinahauta" video was filmed in 2024 and edited by Janne Tuikkala & Markus Räipiö. Lyrics video by Janne Partanen.
