![veitsi – rautaa & verta [ep]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Veitsi-Rautaa-Verta-cover.jpeg "Veitsi – Rautaa & Verta [EP]")
After having released three EPs in 2022, the first year of band’s existence, 2023 almost passed by without any new Veitsi releases. But salvation came on the 29th of December as the newest four track EP was released, initially in digital format but with a 7” vinyl version coming early 2024 through Escafismo Records.
As you may have guessed, Veitsi is a Finnish band and the name means Knife, something that is abundantly depicted in the band logo. The musical journey of this presumed solo project has led to a gradual refinement of the sound that on the first EP ‘Dignity & Honour’ started with an incredibly barren and clean sound. With unconventional rhythms and melodies and a strange contrast between Rocking music and raw vocals, the sound was rather alienating. ‘Archaic & Mighty’ took a heavier guitar sound closer towards conventional Black Metal territories, but the almost psychedelic infusion of Punk and rocking Black Metal remained upbeat, quirky and disorienting. With the last EP of 2022, ‘Palingenesis’, Veitsi showed most of its Black Metal roots, combining a Norwegian and Finnish approach with whammy effects, harmonious leads and a Rockabilly Punk groove. And now there’s the latest EP ‘Rautaa & Verta’, translating to ‘Iron & Blood’.
Compared to the earliest days, the newest EP is not nearly as odd and alienating. The production definitely leans closest to a traditional Black Metal sound, gritty with slightly distorted vocals and sharp melodies. But that Veitsi is far from a standard band remains clear. In ‘Journeys to Delusional isolationism’ we’re treated to a short and highly melodic instrumental track that combines the rawness of Black Metal with an entrancing 70’s Rock sound. This rocking groove continues in ‘The Progeny of Hate, Depression and Despair’, but the Punky drum beats and delightfully snarling vocals combined with a chaotic and not so tight arrangement make it distinctly crude. The leads are draped on the song such that they are almost too melodic, but the filth of the vocals provides enough contrast that it just feels just right. The title track follows a similar recipe, but shows minimal variation in song progression, creating a rather disorienting and hypnotizing track in which the commanding vocals play a crucial role. Final track ‘Slaves of JHVH’ is a culmination of all that came before, adding a few more memorable melodies and atypical rhythms to the mix.
Veitsi offers an interesting mix of Punk, Rock and Black Metal, that is chaotic, unhinged and unconventional. The quirkiest elements have slowly been toned down and the Black Metal sounds fiercer than before, leading to the strongest release thus far in ‘Rautaa & Verta’. Definitely one to pick up if you like Black Metal that ignores rules and boundaries.
Escafismo Records
- Country: Spain
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Youtube
