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Speedtrap - "Powerdose"

TEKSTI-TV 666 - PIRITORILTA TAIVAASEEN

Recorded by Onni Töyrylä & Santtu Vainio
Mixed & mastered by Santtu Vainio

GAEA Records
2014

Piritorilta taivaaseen

Torchbearers of Finnish progressive rock Sammal return with a new single this week and a second album, to be released on May 15th via Svart Records. The eponymous debut album of these Finns, who sing in their native language, garnered widespread praise: Classic Rock called Sammal “an impressive, obsessive rendering of 45-year-old dynamics across a set of beguiling and timeless rock melodies” while Decibel called them “a rare prog band that knows when to say when.”

Last winter, Sammal entered the studio and laid down nine new tracks for their second album, Myrskyvaroitus ("Storm Warning"). Whereas the self-titled debut and the band's other early work had mostly been the work of two people - singer Janu Kiviniemi and guitarist Jura Salmi - with last year’s EP release No 2, Sammal closed the doors on its past.
 Myrskyvaroitus is very much an ensemble album, and the band worked on the material as a tight-knit unit. The album was mixed and mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano (Messenger, Hexvessel, Paradise Lost, Ulver) in London.
Says guitarist Salmi, “We decided to get rid of the comparisons to Black Sabbath and Uriah Heep and be just Sammal. As leading influences in the rehearsal room and studio, we had Vangelis, Moody Blues, Scandinavian jazz, and early Turkish progressive psychedelic rock. We are ready for our second coming."

Digital single “Aika on alkamassa” is available via all digital outlets on Friday, March 27th and can be heard in the meantime HERE. The album Myrskyvaroitus is out on May 15th, on CD, LP, and digital formats via Svart Records. The distinctive cover art is by singer Janu Kiviniemi, and all other album artwork by bassist Lasse Ilano.

Sammal: Aika on alkamassa

Kuolemanlaakso are back, unlike you’ve never heard them before! As the title aptly implies, “M. Laakso – Vol. 1: The Gothic Tapes” is the first solo album of Kuolemanlaakso mastermind Laakso. It showcases his songwriting catchier and more varied than ever.

“Kuolemanlaakso started out as my one-man solo project, which quickly escalated into a full-action monster with shows in the biggest clubs and metal festivals around Finland. As our singer Kotamäki will be occupied with Swallow the Sun’s touring duties for a long time, I finally had the opportunity to record an actual Kuolemanlaakso solo album”, Laakso rejoices.

Compared to the previous Kuolemanlaakso releases, a lot has changed and much has stayed the same. For starters, “M. Laakso – Vol. 1: The Gothic Tapes” is not a death doom album. While the trademark heaviness, gloominess and melancholy are still solidly present; the color palette is vastly wider. The album is a journey through a wide range of emotions steered by nyctophilia, love for the dark. Whereas “Uljas uusi maailma” (2012), Musta aurinko nousee (EP, 2013) and “Tulijoutsen” (2014) were compared to acts such as Celtic Frost, My Dying Bride and Ajattara, one might hear echoes of Sisters of Mercy, Tiamat, Paradise Lost and Amorphis on this release. What’s also different is the language, and using Laakso as the lead vocalist.

“I chose to do these songs in English as they demanded a more musical language than Finnish. However, Finnish will always remain the only official language of the non-solo Kuolemanlaakso albums,” Laakso promises.

The album was recorded, mixed and mastered at Woodshed Studio, Germany, by V. Santura, with whom Kuolemanlaakso have worked with since the very beginning of their recording career. Santura also acts as a guitarist and backing vocalist of this special lineup, consisting of him, and Kuolemanlaakso members Laakso (vocals, guitar, keys), Tiera (drums) and Usva (bass). The album also features guest performances by Mikko Kotamäki (Kuolemanlaakso, Swallow the Sun), Helena Haaparanta (Crimfall, Valo) and Jaani Peuhu (Iconcrash).

Kuolemanlaakso’s latest album “Tulijoutsen” debuted at #10 on Finland’s Official Album Chart. It made notable appearances on the Album of the Year lists in Finland’s leading music publications, including Inferno, Soundi, Imperiumi.net and Kaaoszine.fi. UK’s Soundscape Magazine chose it as the Top #1 Album of 2014.

Svart Records will release “M. Laakso – Vol. 1: The Gothic Tapes” on red and black vinyl (limited to 200 and 300 pieces), digital download, mini-gatefold CD and limited edition art book CD (500 pieces) on August 26, 2016. The art book includes an exclusive bonus track and a 24-page booklet with handwritten lyrics, photographic art and exclusive liner notes for each song, all crafted by Laakso himself.

Lineup on this album:

Laakso ~ vocals, guitar, keys

Tiera ~ drums

Usva ~ bass

V. Santura ~ guitar, backing vocals

Kuolemanlaakso: Roll The Dice With The Devil

Svart Records

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