Backengrillen - Backengrillen (2026)

I have mixed feelings about this one. Backengrillen has Dennis Lyxzén on vocals, two other ex-Refused members, Magnus Flagge on bass and David Sandström on drums and Mats Gustafsson on sax, and is released by Svart Records. So I had big expectations. It turns out I think it's a good album and I enjoy listening to it, but for the most part it sounds like doom metal with sax and Lyxzén singing, which is fine, but I expected something more exciting. Also, maybe it sounds a bit too much like long improvisations than songs, which it kinda is since the album has been done in three days. Anyway, the faster and more rocking, with a somewhat stoogian vibe, song in the middle of the album is great, and the songs all have some great sax playing, more melodic/lyrical than I expected from Gustafsson, but why not, when it's good it's good... 

The BC page.

 

Bygone - Bygone (2025)

Bygone is an excellent first self-titled album, merging synth propelled space rock and hard rock/heavy metal. It reminds at time Deep Purple and more often Hawkwind, but with also a touch of more recent stoner sound. Epic and catchy songs with great vocals. A strong start, recommended!

 

The BC page. 

 

Shannon Rowley - The King Departs (2022)

You can always count on Svart Records for delivering something unusual, and of quality. The first album from Shannon Rowley, released in 2022 and called The King Departs could be described as an unusual take on dark americana, but it's also rocking, there's a haunted intensity and epicness that evokes heavy metal (there's a Hallowed Be Thy Name something in the first track, Says The Dead Sailor). I suppose Son House covering Birthday Party and Iron Maiden would have produced a similar vibe.  Yes, it's that good. 

The BC page.

 

JAAW - Supercluster (2023)

Supercluster, the first album from JAAW (with Andy Cairns from Therapy?, Jason Stoll, Adam Betts and Wayne Adams), is both a strange beats and a good surprise (not very surprised it's released by Svart Records). I could describe it has the heaviness of stoner/doom, the raw abrasion of noise rock, and an industrial element that really sounds influenced by Godflesh. Interesting and enjoyable, with a Bjork cover (Army of Me) providing a nice finishing touch. Recommended .

The BC page.

 

 

Sammal - Aika laulaa (2022)

Aika laulaa is the fouth album from Finnish progressive rockers Sammal, this time as a quartet after one member left. The arrangements and songwriting feel less polished than it used to and I wouldn't say it's my favourite Sammal album. But it's also the most rocking, with maybe even a somewhat proto-heavy metal feel. Why not. At least it's a bit different and they kept their identity with a typical Finnish melodic touch in the vocals and guitars and keys parts. All in all it's another very nice and enjoyable album from Sammal. Still a great band.

The BC page.

 

Pekko Käppi & K:H:H:L - Matilda (2017)

Pekko Käppi is a jouhikko player (a jouhikko is a Finnish string instrument) and an ethnomusicologist, and joined with his band K:H:H:L he produces a music hard to describe, that's why, despite liking it instantly (the opening track is really awesome with its screaming riff à la Hendrix, somewhat), it took me four years to review their second album Matilda. They play some psychedelic folk rock rooted in Finnish traditional music (and sung in Finnish) but with also hard rock elements and even bits of funk. Very "exotic" and also enjoyable. Interesting and cool stuff. Not surprisingly it  (like their more recent album from 2019) is released by the excellent Svart records, specialized in all kinds of weird Finnish music.

The Bandcamp page.

Sammal - Suuliekki (2018)

With their previous threes releases Sammal established themselves as one of the best recent psych/prog rock bands so expectations were very high for this new one Suuliekki (still with Svart Records). While maybe not as strong and immersive as myrskyvaroitus, Suuliekki maintain the top quality we are used to with Sammal, with their exellent typically Finnish melodies and excellency for crafting atmosphere and moods. Here the moods are a bit more varied and globally lighter, while the melancholy is never very far (they are Finnish, mind you!). Another awesome and unique album from Sammal. They stay one of my favourite bands. A must listen if you're into this kind of music. Well, anyone should give it a try actually...

The Svart page for the album.

The Bandcamp page of the band.

Atomikylä - Keräily (2016)

Atomikylä is a side project of Oranssi Pazuzu singer associated with members of Dark Buddha Rising. No big surprise we find in Atomikylä elements from the music of these bands. We could describe their second album Keräily, released this year on Svart records, as some "dark psychedelic krautdoom" somewhere between the bands already mentionned and bands like Nibiru or Aluk Todolo. Keräily is three songs for 34 minutes.
The first song is the longest one, with the most aggressive part between some more trippy intro and outro. The second one is the more psychedelic, with some sax being a nice addition, the third song is more like the first but condensed, with the psychedelic elements more restrained in a normal rock song structure. I'm left with a slight feeling that they can do best, but it's already an interesting and enjoyable listen, a lot better than most of the millions doom bands existing nowadays.

The Bandcamp page.

Seremonia - Pahuuden äänet (2016)

Among the psychedelic rock bands inspired by the 70' Seremonia is easily one of the best and one of the most original. Pahuuden äänet their new album, following the excellent Kristalliarkki (read my review HERE and the interview THERE) is another proof. You have the now usual sabbathian flavour but also some proto-punk driven by some MC5 like flame. But also 13th Floor Elevators like psychedelic weirdness and, more obscure, some vintage scandinavian prog / psych' / folk / fusion jazz influences. Add the female vocals in Finnish, top notch and inspired songwriting and musicianship and you have a very special and tasty mix. One you won't find anywhere else. Maybe after Kristalliarkki some surprise effect is lost but the quality remains. I'd say maybe on this one the trip is getting darker and has fewer free / prog rock experimentating. Go for it anyway!

The Soundcloud page.

Chestburster - Slime and guilt (2016)

Chestburster is a new Svart records finding from Finland. Their first album Slime and guilt sounds like a nice and dirty mix of bands like Turbonegro, Danzig and Unsane, somewhere between hard rock, punk rock and noise rock. And they'll also surprise you with some blast beats and sax parts thrown here and there. Definitely cool and surprising stuff. The ballad in the middle of the album is a bit too long, but otherwise everything is really good, the album managing to create a special atmosphere of raw, dark and sleazy rock'nroll, not afraid to venture into noisier and more radical territory.  Recommended!

The Svart page for the album

Oranssi pazuzu - Värähtelijä (2016)

Värähtelijä is Oranssi pazuzu fourth album (again on Svart records), and is coming after the excellent Valionelu (read HERE my review of it ). Värähtelijä has everything I love about Oranssi pazuzu (kraut-prog rock meets black metal in short) and at the same time it's again a different beast. Darker, more abstract and repetitive, less dynamic maybe, not less rocking but rocking on a more kraut beat, more ambient, less "prog' rock" but more dark psychedelia. It's harder to get into it, but also it's good to have them back to a more weird and nightmarish feel after a more colourful Valionelu. They still are really different and special. I had great expectations for this album (Oranssi pazuzu is one of my favourite band) and it does not disappoint me. Really trippy and powerfull in its unique way.

The Bandcamp page

Pombagira - Flesh Throne Press (2015)

The contrast on the cover between the dark figure and the trippy band logo fits well with the music. Flesh throne press is Pombagira sixth album, a double album, and probably the best of the londonian duo. it's been released by Svart records (which is really doing well in 2015). This is doom with a focus on the dark, smokey and psychedelic atmosphere more than on heaviness. I'd say it's sounds a bit like a mix of Bong and The 13th floor elevators (with a 60' weird and psychedelic rock feel). I like it's ethereal vocal melodies and the basslines perfect for the quiet hazy mood of the album. One hour and a half of music that needs many listens to be fully appreciated but is really rewarding. In an saturated doom scene this is good to hear something different and Pombagira demonstrate having their own style on this really enjoyable album.

The Bandcamp page.

Abyssion - Luonnon harmonia ja vihreä liekki (2015)

Abyssion is a duo featuring members from Dark budha rising and Oranssi pazuzu,  Luonnon harmonia ja vihreä liekki which means in finnish “Harmony of Nature and The Green Flame” is their second album, which is released by Svart record. What they play could maybe be called "space black metal", the main component is traditionnal black metal, quite primitive and somewhat punkish, reminding old Darkthrone, not the more modern, brutal or technical kind of black metal. The other component brings the "space" thing : trippy keyboards parts. And maybe also some krautock something in the rythms, or is it just the repetitive element you often find in black metal? The album sounds a bit like you could imagine would sound Darkthrone jamming with he keyboardist of Acid mothers temple (that would be cool!). Of course it is sung in finnish, english would be so common...
Actualy I would have liked the experimentation going further in the black metal meets space / prog / kraut music direction (but one of the guys is already doing that, and it's awesome, with Oranssi pazuzu so...). But old school black metal with some twists of weird space synth parts is an intersting and enjoyable listening experience as well. Best than just another raw black metal band (they are actually quite good at doing the raw black metal thing, but the experimental additions makes it more interesting).
recommended if you're into black metal and more spacey / experimental stuff.

Their FB page

Seremonia - Kristalliarkki (2015)

Listening to the first Seremonia records I thought they were ok ( I should have paid more attention, because they already showed the band had a good potential...). But with Kristalliarkki (released with Svart records who are really doing an outstanding year!) Seremonia really took it to a higher level, gaining another dimension. With Kristalliarkki they really get better on everything, from the production (which is now great), to the cover art, but of course most importantly with the songs itselves. Their music is still based on a kind of proto-hard rock / sixties garage rock with some psychedelic touches and keyboards parts. But they added more diversity and displays on this album a greater level of creativity. Seremonia is now without question a really unique band. The album starts with an intro with some free jazz like drumming / percussions and choir like vocals and a bit of sax. And the album ends with a wild garage outro! and in between you have some hard rocking songs with a psychedelic flavour, some psychedelic doom with saxophone, some finnish folk / prog... imagine a jam with The Doors, the Stooges, Hawkwind, Black sabbath, Sun ra and Deep purple, with a girl singing in finnish (the vocals are great and add to the originality of their sound). The songs, even the less complex, more hard rock based ones, are filled with twists and suprises, with the keybords parts, the vocals lines, the guitar riffing and leads, the rocking but subtle drumming, a bit of flute, or some saxophone... The album culminating with the title track, an awesome 60' psych' doom 14 minutes song.
The album sounds very fresh and suprising, I already listen to it many many times and do it with an always renewed pleasure, it's so well crafted, full of nice details, and at the same time sounding spontaneous and lively (it's often really rocking, with a wild garage feel).

I really recommend you do yourself the pleasure of trying it. A highely exiting and enjoyable album, bursting with inventivity.

The Bandcamp page

ps : oh, and don't fail to listen to the single called "Hasiskulti" they released with the album (but the two songs does not feature on the album!), those two songs are also great, especially hasiskulti!

Sammal : the interview

With Myrskyvaroitus, the finnish band Sammal released (with the excellent Svart records) the album that I listened to the more often this year up to now, and I'm sure I'll listen to it many times again. It has what I love in 70' psych / prog' rock, plus something else, because their not just a good retro band, they're not even a retro band in fact, they really have a strong personnality. their melodies, their sound, their songs are unique. well, I'm not gonna review it a second time, HERE is the review I did, but this post is about posting the answers to the questions I sent them by mail. Jura Salmi (guitars / keys), is the one who answered it and I thank him for that!

read the interview below :

-to start with, can you tell us how did you formed Sammal? what was the project as the start?

We had played in a band with Jan-Erik Kiviniemi almost 10 years prior to starting making songs in Finnish. We were just doing it for fun, recording songs with 8-track recorder, nothing ambitious in mind. Just making songs we enjoyed ourselves, after making music with the previous band in English. But even that band Resident 43 was started by the two of us back in 96. So that band kinda slowed down, and withered away, and at the same time we became more interested in all kinds of more obscure and mostly older music.

-what about Myrskyvaroitus? I think you managed to introduced more diversity of sound and mood in your music with this album, do you agree and if so was it something you especially tried to achieve when writing the songs?

I think it came naturally, because we´ve been a tight unit for last 3 years playing gigs, and recording our debut, and one EP. We made these songs as a unit too, experimenting more with keyboards and band chemistry that had developed, allowed us to jam and use our greatest asset, rhythm more.

-what is the typical writing process for Sammal?

It can start from a jam, but mostly on this record it was either me, or keyboardist Juhani Laine, coming up with the main parts for each song. But finally putting them together with the whole band. Normally music and vocal melodies come before Jan-Erik writes the lyrics.

-I think you manage to sound at the same time really influenced by the music created in the seventies and at the same time very unique. do you think it has something to do with the finnish kind of melodies you bring in?

Definitely, being born and raised here, we have that weird mixture of really having slavic melodies that have always been a part of Finnish music, but on the other hand, strong Swedish folk&jazz influences too in even mainstream music in Finland. Add to that US, UK, German, French musical impact etc. I think we´re not restricted to anything really. Finland in a way really is between east and west.

-which band influenced you the most?

I´ve normally mentioned Camel, Trettiåariga Kriget, but personally I would say that even nineties bands like Soundgarden, Faith No More, have had a strong impact on the way I personally see how music can be done. Not the style, but the freedom of creating space for our musical world. Keep in mind this is just my opinion. All of the guys in the band have a long list of favourites. Some stuff most of us like are stuff like the first Journey album, Kebnekajse, early Wishbone Ash, Finnish Topi Sorsakoski & Agents, Rauli Badding Somerjoki, Colosseum, Australian band Buffalo, Birth Control, Kingston Wall, all kinds of hip-hop, soul, blues.....the list could literally be endless.

-what about the lyrics?

Sorry really can´t say as the deadline of the interview is now. I would need our singer answering that. But I think it´s mostly really honest, about his life, about how he sees the world. He´s never mentioned anyone to be his influence on writing his lyrics.

-can you choose a song you especially like in the new album and comment on how it was written and about the lyrics?

I like the opener Storm Varning at the moment. The lyrics are in Swedish as an homage to Jan-Erik´s Swedish speaking side of the family. All of have strong ties to the Swedish speaking side of Finland as we are from the west coast and have family from the islands, or have worked in those parts. Musically too, it´s closer to Scandinavian jazz than maybe most our songs, and right now it really is the song I´m most fond of.

-psychedelia is often associated with, metaphorically speaking, opening gates and discovering new paths and territories, and as a musical movement coincided with questionning the dominant values and experimentating new ways of living. how do you relates to that and what does psychedelia means to you personnaly?

It means being open minded, and challenging the so called "truth" about how humans are and should be. It´s about trusting my own instincts and valuing my opinions just as much as any other person´s opinion. Think for yourself and try to see the world with other people´s eyes too. The world wouldn´t have to be such a mess. But we´re letting it be that way. I like that quote that keeps circulating on the internet all the time by Bertrand Russell: “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wise people so full of doubts.”

-if your music would be used as a movie soundtrack, what kind of movie would it be? do you like the idea?

It would be a dark melodrama with somewhat happy ending. It would be great to at least hear our music in some movie. And the idea of a soundtrack sounds intriguing....maybe in the future.

- Myrskyvaroitus being so good, have you any idea about how you could improve next time? are some new song already written?

We have some riffs and small parts in our back pocket. I don´t think it will be too difficult to improve. But I might be wrong, maybe this is our zenith! But time will tell. We´ll try our best I can assure you.

-do you think of something sound / interesting about Sammal or Myrskyvaroitus that is never mentionned in reviews or interviews?

On Herätkää! I play the opening keyboard with a crappy Roland synth. through my normal guitar pedals and amp&cabinet. And working with V.R. Studio owner Jussi Vuola isn´t mentioned enough. Great guy, and not sure if want to work with anyone else anymore. Absolutely fantastic working with him!!!

-how did you get in contact with Svart records at first?

There was an underground buzz going on about Sammal, and we already had recorded the debut. We approached them a few times but no reply. Then we already discussed with the Swedish Record Heaven that they could distribute our album, we were about to release it our self. But then people like Kimi Kärki and Mat McNerney said a good word for us, and suddenly Svart was ready to release it. Tomi Pulkki said something like, he must´ve had fever or been sick for having not paid attention to our music and emails earlier. If he had, he said they would´ve released it in a heartbeat!

-which evolution would you like to see for underground music in the future?

More expressive, not following trends, but doing what feels right to each individual artist or a band. And I love good melodies. I think it´s ok for UG bands too to have some catchy melodies

 

-what is planned for Sammal in the coming months?

This summer and fall playing quite a few gigs in Finland. So enjoying them and the Finnish short but beautiful summer.

-something to add?

Hoping to play some dates in rest of Europe in 2016, as Roadburn and Netherlands was so cool. But we´ll see...

-Jura Salmi/Sammal guitars, keys.

Domovoyd - st (2015)

This self titled album from the finnish band Domovoyd is their second one, still on Svart records. Like Oh, sensibility was, this one is a grower, not revealing all it's mysteries and qualities at first. But the more glimpse you get of it the more you're attracted to it. This time their original psychedelic doom (more on the trippy side of it than on the sheer heaviness, closer to Blown out than to Electric wizard, with guitar works often closer to Hendrix than to Kirk Windstein) is getting more epic proportions (especially the two 16 and 17 minutes tracks) and more good ol' progressive vibes, while still being hypnotic, slow and heavy like all good doom albums. The first track is called Domovoyage with good reasons but it's the whole album that is definitely a trip.

The Bandcamp page

Sammal - Myrskyvaroitus (2015)

Last year I played many times Sammal's EP called No2 (read Here the review I wrote) and would have been happy if this new album, called Myrskyvaroitus (yes they're finnish!) would have been as good. But with this album they improved a lot and the result is absolutely marvelous. Myrskyvaroitus is an instant classic (and you like it more with each new listen) and it's probably the record released this year that left the biggest impression on me so far. Compared to No2 they widened their scope enriched their sound (that Moog / Farfisa kind of keyboard sound on the album is really awesome!), adding more diversity in style and mood. There are darker moments along with the brighter parts, it's based into progressive and psychedelic rock from the 70' but you can find also touches of jazz funk / rock / fusion (for exemple the second track can remind The Meters or Dr John but also Miles Davis Bitches brew or maybe even Herbie Hancock) and all that with their typical finnih melodic sense. sometimes it gets more trippy / meditative like the fifth track, and there's even the final track reminding at the start some sci-fi /horror synth based soundtrack and going on to evolve into very different phases (even something like Santana's like guitar parts and percussions...) during it's 10 minutes. or maybe you'll hear something completely different, but well, you get the idea, there's a real diversity in this album and it never caese to surprise you. The playing / singing (in finnish) and the production are as good as the production is and every detail is very finely crafted. This is released by Svart records, a finnish label confirming it's very high quality and originality release after release.
Very highly recommended!

Their Bandcamp

their website

Sonny Simmons & Moksha Samnyasin - Nomadic (2014)

This album is one of the recent jazz related release by the always audacious Svart records. Sonny Simmons is an experimented saxophonist (the guy played with Eric Dolphy and Charlie Mingus) playing in a lyrical free jazz vein (closer to late Coltrane than to Peter Brotzmann). But it's also related to rock, the band featuring guys from Abrahama and Blaak heat shujaa. On the acid heavy, repetitive and psychedelic side of rock , producing a very good associaiton with Simmons sax playing. the sitar adding a nice oriental touch. an original, nicely trippy combination, as colourfull as the cover art. excellent stuff!

The bandcamp page

Sammal - n°2 (EP 2014)

this EP from the finnish band Sammal (translates "wild moss", n°2 is their second record, released by Svart records) sounds at the same time familiar and unique. its warm tones and vintage keyboard reminds classic prog rock from the seventies, but at the same times the melodies (vocals in finnish, guitars and the keyboards that are really put forward in the songs) sounds very different (as only finnish melodies can!). very groovy and joyful, or softly melancholic at times, but not in a cheesy pop way,  it makes a very original, enjoyable and addictive listen. rarely bands inspired by 70' rock are sounding so fresh. just try it and you won't regret.

their website

Convulse - Evil prevails (2013)

Convulse rises from their 18 years (!) slumber to bring some more old school death metal. and indeed it sounds like it could have been done 18 years ago and even older. but it sounds really good so we can thanks the finnish band for doing it again!  simple and raw death metal with a vicious groove. it reminds me a bit of Cannibal corpse's Eaten back to life (yes, it's really old school!). the vocals and the bass sound maybe..
sometimes it's pleasing to hear another band showing that death metal don't need to be super fast and technical. it can also be all about some simple but cool riffing, the groove and a raw and organic sound. Evil prevails (released in november 2013 by Svart records) is just an enjoyable old school death metal record, and when it's as good and cool as this one, that's fine with me!

their FB page

their Svart record page