Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Tracklist:

Sydänjuuret
Vastavirtaan
Ei kahta sanaa (ilman kolmatta)
Vääräleuka
Kristuksen ruumis ja pedon pää
Niin hyville kuin pahoille
Rautaa rinnoista
Älä anna sille nimeä
Kalmannäkijä
Hei hei heinäkuu
Turhuuksien turhuus

Playing time: 43:54

Mokoma has belonged to top class of Finnish metal for several years. “Sydänjuuret” is the band’s seventh album. Mokoma released a brilliant album called “Kuoleman laulukunnaat” in 2006, the next album “Luihin ja ytimiin” (2007) wasn’t such a success. Now my mission is to write a review of the latest album.

Album’s name track opens the album. The first riff almost makes me crap my pants. The aggressiveness of “Kuoleman laulukunnaat” is here again. After a few seconds rumbling settles down and the song turns to a pretty traditional Mokoma track. Thrash metal style riffs with some easier and more melodic parts with a few angrier parts. Not a bad start but not a killer either. The next track “Vastavirtaan” is built with the same elements but it’s a little more varied. “Kaksi sanaa (ilman kolmatta) takes a step to lighter expression and it’s the weakest part of the whole album.

“Vääräleuka” has a nice twisted ambience and it represents the stronger side of the album. “Kristuksen ruumis ja pedon pää” is the first slower song. Marko Annala isn’t one of the top 10 singers in Finland but this track is a good example how well Annala’s voice fits in Mokoma’s music. “Niin hyville kuin pahoille” returns to faster thrash metal beating but it’s a little bit boring track. “Rautaa rinnoista” starts with a folk style guitar riff. Later the same riff with vocals works as a marvelous chorus. This excellent song will be a real fist raiser on gigs.

“Älä anna sille nimeä” is not very traditional Mokoma song. It glides easily forward with serene tunes. Later it grows into a quite heavy and massive piece and it’s a great sample of Mokoma’s versatility. Mid-tempo “Kalmannäkijä” is a great live song. It includes even a little funny parts but they only increase the power of the song. “Hei hei heinäkuu” is a cheerful and hilarious listening experience but it fits surprisingly well in the album. The final track “Turhuuksien turhuus” flirts even with black metal and it continues with tight thrash metal riffs. Annala’s vocals are extreme and the guitarists play an insane solo. A strong end for the album.

“Sydänjuuret” is a very good album. Not the best from Mokoma but in top 3 anyway. All the musicians have done excellent work with their instruments and Annala has written fantastic lyrics once again. I can only admire his skills in using Finnish language. This album only strengthens Mokoma’s position in Finnish metal elite.

My final vote: 9 points