Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

For more than two decades, Hooded Menace have stood as the pillar between two realms of underground metal. The Finnish band are still transfixed by classic horror on their monumental new album. But Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration only goes to show that these stewards of death-doom remain far from stuck in their ways. 

Order the album here: https://orcd.co/hoodedmenacelachrymosemonumentsofobscuration

“…if Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration doesn’t match Tritonus [Bell], it reiterates the trio’s true north”, writes Decibel in an 8/10 review. “Four seven-minute tracks comprise the heart and guts of the album, keening boom/gloom workouts of hammer-and-anvil classicism”. 

“Lasse Pyykkö has once again infused the new album with a blend of their signature crushing heaviness and a daring sense of innovation”, hails New Noise.

Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration was released yesterday, Friday, October 3, and you can hear all seven earthshaking tracks by listening to the full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel:

The undead spirit that’s guided Hooded Menace since its 2007 conception still stands watch over Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration. Cover artist Wes Benscoter recreates the Blind Dead in all their glowingly ghoulish glory.  “Pale Masquerade” summons film director Amando de Ossorio’s flesh-eating muse with a fresh heap of founding member Lasse Pyykkö’s bone-crunching chugs.  But while the lasting influence of Candlemass and Paradise Lost hasn’t vanished without a ghostly trace, the band continue to break the mold that they set for death-doom. Neon keys beam through opener “Twilight Passages” as if firing up a time machine.

Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration hammers home the classic ‘80s heavy metal influence that Hooded Menace rung in on their last long-player The Tritonus Bell. As if from a trance, drums snap into a gallop amidst blistering leads dripped with neon. “Lugubrious Dance” twists between the hallucinogenic spires of Cathedral in conspiracy with King Diamond before cranking into a chorus that’s classic Hooded Menace. Even traditional death-doomers will scream with delight upon hearing the band cover Duran Duran’s “Save a Prayer” with their blood-soaked signature.  

MicroPitching and other effects aren’t the only tricks pulled out from under Hooded Menace’s cloak on Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration. What should appear from beneath Pekka Koskelo’s swirling double bass on lead single “Portrait Without a Face” but the deeply haunting moan of a cello. Like an echo from beyond the grave, the cry of strings reappears during the album’s grand finale. Former live bassist Antti Poutanen sorrowfully saws as the band marches, gallops then sinks back “Into Haunted Oblivion”.    

“Resonate in utter darkness“, Harri Kuokkanen beckons with growls that reek of the crypt. 

With Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration, Hooded Menace cast death-doom in a ghoulish new light.

Tracklist
1. Twilight Passages (1:04)
2. Pale Masquerade (7:50) [LISTEN]
3. Portrait Without a Face (7:15) [WATCH]
4. Daughters of Lingering Pain (7:25)
5. Lugubrious Dance (7:20)
6. Save a Prayer (6:12) [WATCH]
7. Into Haunted Oblivion (9:47)

For closing in on two decades, Hooded Menace have stood not as a bridge but the pillar between two underground realms. The band’s upcoming seventh album still paves the way for metal legions who prefer headbanging to more creepily, crushing tempos. However, while Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration is still rooted in a cultish obsession with the classics, these stewards of death-doom remain far from stuck in their ways.     

Starting as a teenager in the late ’80s, founding member Lasse Pyykkö got his start in Joensuu, Finland with the band Phlegethon. But the undead spirit that’s guided Hooded Menace since its 2007 conception first appeared back when he was just a young hesher. Dracula, Poltergeist, A Nightmare on Elm Street and other horrors piqued his morbid curiosity. Though later on, it was feasting on the cult classic Tombs of the Blind Dead that spawned the band’s accursed two-track demo.  

“It’s the dark element”, Lasse recalls when asked what Hooded Menace draws from its source material five albums removed from the band’s terrifying breakthrough Never Cross the Dead.  

The blind dead still stand watch over Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration. Returning cover artist Wes Benscoter recreates the Knights Templar in all their glowingly ghoulish glory. “Pale Masquerade” paints a familiar scene, summoning Amando de Ossorio’s flesh-eating muse with a fresh heap of Lasse’s bone-crunching chugs. “The dead army grows“, Harri Kuokkanen commands with growls that reek of the crypt. Lifelong converts will quickly fall in line behind steadfast drummer Pekka Koskelo, who dips “Daughters of Lingering Pain” into the same dripping vat of wax as the band’s 2010s effigies for Relapse Records. The lasting influence of Candlemass and Paradise Lost hasn’t vanished without a trace. But Hooded Menace continue to break the mold they helped set for death-doom right from the album’s opening jump scare. Neon keys beam through “Twilight Passages” as if firing up a time machine.   

Reinvention isn’t new to Hooded Menace. While a menacing vocalist in his own right, Lasse passed the proverbial mic torch to Kuokkanen for the gloomier melodies that haunted the band’s initial offering after signing with Season of Mist late in 2016. Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed was also pulled more from the shadows of their imagination as opposed to the silver screen. Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration trends further in that direction; the lyric sheet unfurls like a house of psychological horrors, where the hallways are hung with shattered mirrors and faceless portraits. Only this time around, the trio really hammered home the influence of ’80s heavy metal that was rung in by previous long-player The Tritonus Bell. “Lugubrious Dance” twists between the hallucinogenic spires of Cathedral in conspiracy with King Diamond before cranking into a chorus that’s classic Hooded Menace.  

MicroPitching and other effects aren’t the only tricks of the trade that are pulled out from under Hooded Menace’s cloak. Traditional death-doomers might have been pleasantly surprised by the band covering W.A.S.P., so imagine the delighted screams upon hearing a Top of the Pops’ gem like “Save a Prayer” splattered in their signature blood-soaked dread. Lasse’s riffs still cement the rock-solid foundation beneath Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration, but even he was surprised when sculpting its lead single. What should appear from the double bass swirling amidst “Portrait Without a Face” but the moan of a cello. Like an echo from beyond the grave, the cry of strings reappears during the album’s grand finale. Former live bassist Antti Poutanen sorrowfully saws as the band marches, gallops then sinks back “Into Haunted Oblivion”.  

On Lachyrmose Monuments of Obscuration, Hooded Menace cast death-doom in a ghostly new light. 

Line-up
Harri Kuokkanen — Vocals
Lasse Pyykkö — Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Pekka Koskelo — Drums

Guest Musicians
Antti Poutanen — Cello
John McNulty — Spoken Word

Production Credits
Recorded by Heikki Marttila at Guru Studio, Joensuu, Finland.
Mixed by Heikki Marttila.
Mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano at Orgone Studios, Portugal.

Cover Art
Wes Benscoter (https://www.wesbenscoter.com)

Photography
Pasi Nevalaita

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Bandcamp: https://hoodedmenace.bandcamp.com/music
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