Satanic North - Satanic North

Satanic North is a black metal band from Finland who formed in 2019.  In 2022, they released their “Four Demons” demo and have now finally let loose upon the world their full-length self-titled debut.

Two of the band members are from folk metal heroes Ensiferum.  Bassist IIT Caprae is actually the guitarist/harsh vocalist Petri Lindroos while the drummer, Abyssir, is Janne Parvianen.  That’s quite the pedigree but it has been a long time since I cared about Ensiferum so I wasn’t sure what to expect with two of the members trying out black metal.

Thankfully, my worries were worthless because this self-titled blast of unholy blackness is straight up, old school second wave black metal.  It isn’t going to win any awards for originality or reinvent the ever turning wheel of extremity but there is something to be said of taking a stripped down approach.  Over the decades, black metal has grown into one of the more diverse styles in metal.  There isn’t anything wrong with that (and truth be told, I quite like it that way)  but sometimes I don’t want epic acoustic passages, sweeping keys, or twenty minute blackened dirges.  Sometimes simple and straightforward is better and this album is a winning case for that argument. 

The album opens with the aptly titled “War.”  Forget anything flashy—this song goes for the throat.  Rapid fire but crisp drums accent a classic guitar tone and throaty screeches. After the 2:37 mark, the band slows it down slightly and injects groove to bridge the faster parts of the song together.

“Village,” lets the bass and drums do the talking as the guitars take a more refrained approach.  However, the band returns to full throttle very shortly in what can only be described as a maelstrom of hate.  The song’s middle segment is one of the highlights on the album, what with the screeching cadence of the vocals and the snare drum which compliment the riffs in a big way.

The lead guitar peppers the notes of “Four Demons,” like lighting striking brackish waters.  I like the last minute or so of the song a lot as the guitars take a more intricate route and opens up a bit.  Hopefully this is a sound they will explore more in future releases.

“Vultures,” is one of the darkest songs on the album and, perhaps, the most evil.  There is something decayed and sickening about its atmosphere.  The intro and outro are both more moody as well, adding a layer to the music while it book ends the faster paced, more brutal middle section.

The final song is their namesake.  Ending an album with “Satanic North” on the album “Satanic North” by the band Satanic North?  Amazing.  This is a short but sweet song that burns brightly at barely over the two and a half minute mark.  The rhythm is tight and focused and sets up a great moment for the blazing guitar solo to rip through. 

Ultimately, Satanic North and their debut album isn’t going to change anyone’s mind about black metal but if you know, you know.  And you’ll eat this right up.