Valonkantaja – Valonkantaja

Band: Valonkantaja
Album: Valonkantaja
Release date: October 24th, 2024
Label: Independent
Country: Finland
Format reviewed: High-quality digital recording

A band that popped up for the first time this year, Valonkantaja have put out their self titled EP, and even from here one can notice how promising their music is. Consisting of Tyranni on drums and vocals, along with Dark Divinator on guitar, bass, and synth, the band seems to be headed towards a fruitful future, evident from the previously mentioned EP. Although it contains only 4 tracks and spanning a little over 10 minutes, its energy is truly infectious from the first couple of notes. However, let’s dive into the songs for now.

“L​ä​pi Kahden Todellisuuden” opens up the EP, with fast paced, melodic riff, that exudes energy from the first seconds of the song. The punkish drumming compliments this energy perfectly, making the song equally atmospheric and exciting. The vocals are comprised of high screeches, reminiscent of other Finnish acts such as Sielunvihollinen. There is also a more traditional black metal section towards the end of the song, that shifts the mood towards darker territories. Despite being only 3 minutes long, “L​ä​pi Kahden Todellisuuden” does a great job setting the tone for the record, and undoubtedly left me wanting more.

Coming up next there is “Laskematon Loputtomuus”, an equally powerful piece, carrying on the punk drumming, but this time leaning closer to the traditional black metal sound. The atmosphere, although energetic, also has that trademark sensation of hatred and misanthropy attached to it, creating a paradox that somehow seems to work. I also enjoy the use of bass on this track, as a complementary element to the drums, adding more depth to the song. The wild card that “Laskematon Loputtomuus” brings along is a doomy section, that strips the composition of its intensity, allowing the listener to dwell into the atmosphere, before storming off once again into an explosive finale.

“Aamunkoi” is slightly shorter than its predecessors, but makes great use of the time by turning the intensity up to a hundred. It is a hateful anthem, to put it simply, you feel the power in your bones when you hear it. The combination of blast beats and mid paced moments helps keep everything fresh, while the vocals take on a more dramatic performance that comes off as if the vocalist were spewing venom at someone. It is the kind of song that one would listen to in the morning when wanting to feel ready to conquer the world. I could not recommend it enough. If you don’t feel like listening to the whole EP, at least check this song out, I guarantee you will not regret it.

The EP closes of with “Kun P​ä​ä​ttyy Aika Ihmisen”. This is what I would normally consider an outro track, but considering the given circumstances, and the fact that it has a flawless atmosphere. It is an acoustic track underneath which you can hear a faint layer of synth. When I first heard the EP I was genuinely surprised to hear something like this, coming as a complete opposite of all the previous material. It vaguely remembers something one may hear on an Agalloch album.

All in all, this was one of the most promising releases I’ve heard this year so far, The band is currently working on a new album, and I have high hopes for it, given the quality of the music they’ve put out on what is their debut release. Go listen to it, and you will notice it too! 9/10 by #Ioana

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