![geatkihaukr / veitsi – geatkihaukr / veitsi [split]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Geatkihaukr-Veitsi-Split-cover.jpg "Geatkihaukr / Veitsi – Geatkihaukr / Veitsi [Split]")
Info
- Band(s): Geatkihaukr, Veitsi
- Label(s): River Valley Cult
- Release Format(s): Cassette, Split
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: February 28, 2025
- Author(s): FelixS
This split tape brings together two of Finland’s finest when it comes to crude-sounding Black Metal, both marching under the flag of River Valley Cult. A collective of bands that do not only share the same geological ancestry, but most importantly: they all seem to share the same sort of penchant for harsh and primal sound. This tape is a perfect reflection of what this little niche scene in Finland has to offer.
First up is Geatkihaukr with two new and rather lengthy tracks, both clocking well over 7 minutes, that follow up the Out Of The Dungeon-released ‘Tuokoon Tuulet Pohjoisen’ 7” EP. Just like that EP and previous work, Geatkihaukr sounds just as minimalist and bare boned here. Again, with the strong Punk aesthetic and the raw sound, a parallel with a band like Ildjarn easily drawn. The rawness of the guitars, the maniacal vocals and those delightfully simple drums add so much to the atmosphere of ultimate primitivism. A textbook example of enchanting beauty through total savagery.
On Veitsi’s previous release, the 2023 self-released ‘Rautaa & Verta’ EP (which will get a physical treatment through Escafismo Records on a 7” EP), the band offered a convincing mixture of Black Metal with a distinct Punk-attitude and some Rock-structured elegance. The result was an EP that offered intriguing and unconventional Black Metal, that held some of the most interesting 80’s Post Punk/Wave melodies. Much of that musical DNA is also to be found on the six rather short tracks on this split cassette tape. That great sharpness of the guitars is still here, but somehow the music as a whole sounds a bit warmer – and a tad rawer too. The result is set of songs that display a band that is getting increasingly stronger at their craft. A term like “musically mature” sounds a bit odd in the context of raw and punk-driven Black Metal, but in fact it covers quite a bit of what Veitsi is presenting us on this split release.
While both bands obviously share a lot of musical ingredients, this split cassette is a prime example of two bands using the same starting point but with distinctly different outcomes. The alluring roughness of Geatkihaukr goes extraordinary well with the unmistakably more sophisticated and creative take on the stripped-down sort of Black Metal of Veitsi. Not sure how many copies were made, but for those who like Finnish Black Metal and also like to look a bit further than just Horna and Satanic Warmaster’s latest record, this is a very nice release indeed.
