Azaghal - Teraphim

October 2, 2009

Reviewer: Peter

Cold winters and harsh music go hand in hand when it comes to the metal music scene in Finland.  While the country is known as something of a melting pot in terms of musical styles, there is a strong contingent of black metal bands that originate from there.  Bands such as Horna and Wyrd come to mind, but one band is threatening to make a name for themselves in Azaghal.  Last year’s Omega was a coming out party of sorts for the band, so expectations are a little higher.  This year, the band looks to further their ascent within the black metal ranks with Teraphim and after the last song, it seems that the band is doing just that.

Azaghal’s vocals are primarily in Finnish, meaning that the emphasis is more towards the music and not the message.  Of course, there are translations of the song titles listed, which may help out those who wish to learn a little Finnish.  The opening track “Elilum - Suuri Tyhjyys” doesn’t waste time in getting things started, going full speed almost immediately.   The band doesn’t let up very often, as “XI Omega” keeps things going.  On that track, there is a hint of a distinct guitar melody, which can actually be considered progress in the black metal scene.  It isn’t much, so it doesn’t alter the black metal sound too dramatically.   “Hänen Musta Liekkinsä” is a little slower and shows the band’s atmospheric side of their sound, complete with a few seconds of their folk influence.  This should figure, since most of the band’s members are also in the black/folk metal band Wyrd.  The vocals remain remarkably consistent for a band whose primary calling is black metal.  However, the drumming isn’t quite as powerful as it should be, but the guitars more than make up for this with an unmerciful attack on the aural senses.  The two longest tracks “Hänen Musta Liekkinsä” and “Pimeyden Kutsu” are the best examples of what the band can do on either end of their music spectrum, as the former showcases the best of Wyrd while the latter shows instances of bands such as Emperor and Horna.  As with most of today’s black metal bands, Azaghal doesn’t show much in the way of originality, but the things they do are done better than what most bands do.

Azaghal is one of those bands that seems to have only been in the metal scene for a few years, if only for the fact that most haven’t heard of the band until last year with the release of Omega.  With that album and Teraphim, the band is more than making up for it and while they maintain the fanbase that they do have, they’re also winning over new fans, as well.  An uncompromising approach to black metal with just enough quiet parts to keep things interesting, Teraphim is a solid black metal album that will satisfy those who have longed for the days when bands such as Emperor, Mayhem, and Dissection ruled the black metal scene.

Release Date: September 28, 2009
Label: Moribund Records

TRACK LISTING

1. Elilum – Suuri Tyhjyys
     (Elilum – The Great Emptiness)
2. XI Omega
3. Filosofi (The Philosopher)
4. Teraphim – Puhdistava Tuli
     (Teraphim – The Cleansing Fire)
5. Hänen Musta Liekkinsä
     (His Black Flame)
6. Helvetin Ikuisessa Loistossa
     (In the Eternal Grandeur of Hell)
7. Uhrattu (Sacrificed)
8. Pimeyden Kutsu
     (The Call of the Dark)
9. Samaelin Kuiskaus
     (Samael’s Whisper)
10. Kyy (Viper)

Total playing time: 47:29

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