At almost 79 minutes, the music by these two Finnish Doom bands could've been released on separate 40-minute CD's!
First up is AARNI presenting 6 songs of strange and downright creepy dirges with a strong progressive atmosphere juxtaposing plodding Metal rhythm-section with classical-based acoustic instrumentation! There's even some all-out Noise! Overall, quite incomparable to any single band, but fleeting comparisons can be made to: SKEPTICISM, UNHOLY, AGALLOCH, SWANS (and you thought only PARADISE LOST or MY DYING BRIDE have been listening to Michael Gira?), DECORYAH, and FLESHPRESS! The vocals veer from utterly scary and monstrous, to Gira-ish (sung in Latin?!?!?), and also "alien" with a bit of puzzling electronic tweaking. Check out their "thank you for the inspiration" list: C.G.Jung, F.Nietzsche, Richard C. Hoagland (what the fuck???), E.A.Poe, H.P.Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Tolkien, Salvador Dali, H.R.Giger, David Lynch, Monty Python, MDB, Black Sabbath, Hawkwind, Opeth, Shape of Despair, and more! That should give you an idea of the eclectism that AARNI purvey to articulate a unique and wonderous form of Doom beyond boundaries!
UMBRA NIHIL present a more orthodox (albeit slightly "progressive" in spots) approach to their melancholy funereal Finnish Doom that is a brave match to the more uniquely adventurous AARNI. Fans of THERGOTHON, ESOTERIC, DISEMBOWELMENT, as well as SKEPTICISM, MY DYING BRIDE, and UNHOLY, will be impressed by these last 5 songs of this thoroughly essential split-album! BOTH bands are highly recommended! *(Reviewed by Elden M.)
Import CD from Finland!
Info from the label:
Aarni's biggest record yet, and their first released not by themselves but by a record label; that being the splendid Firebox records of Finland. At that time however, despite sharing strong connections and friendship with the label, the band were not actually part of the Firebox roster, and neither were Umbra Nihil. Though that would change only two months later...
Aarni are responsible for the first six tracks, three of which were remixed versions of songs from previous releases; 'Myrrys' from both 'Demo 2001' and 'Promo 2002', and 'Transcend Humanity' and 'Reaching Azathoth', both of which taken from 'Promo 2002'. The other three tracks; 'Ubbo-Sathla', 'Liber Umbrarum vel Coniunctio' and 'Anima' were all completely new, and until now, unheard songs. All three kept to the now traditional Aarni sound, whilst weaving new and innovative forms of musical brilliance.
Meanwhile, tracks seven to eleven were all courtesy of popular fellow Finnish avantgarde-doomsters (that Master Warjomaa is now a full member of) Umbra Nihil. A band bearing only slim similarities with Aarni, but still reeking with quality, talent and musical excellence, Umbra Nihil play very heavy and catatonic, yet very mellow and atmospheric unconventional and experimental doom-metal. All of Umbra Nihil's songs on this Split CD were partially re-recorded and completely remastered versions of those that first appeared on their 'Enough, or too much' demo.
So, not only featuring Aarni but another fabulous band, and receiving full support, funding and release from a record label, this Split may well be the best we have seen of Aarni yet, and has been immensely popular with both fans and critics, receiving highly praising reviews from many online webzines. The Aarni/Umbra Nihil Split is ridden with quality, and promises great things for both band's futures.
Please note that there is a minor misprint on the back sleeve of some copies of the Split, in that the track listing is incorrect - songs three and four should in fact be listed the other way round as the listing on the left illustrates, so track three is 'Transcend Humanity' and track four is 'Liber Umbrarum vel Coniunctio', and not visa versa as the sleeve may display. Those responsible for this imprudent blunder have been sacked.
* TRACK-LIST:
- Ubbo-Sathla (3:38)
- Myrrys (5:00)
- Transcend Humanity (12:00)
- Liber Umbrarum vel Coniunctio (6:18)
- Reaching Azathoth (11:55)
- Anima (4:14)
- Follow and Believe / Fall without Relief (9:12)
- A Mere Shell (8:25)
- My Way to the Lakeshore (2:04)
- Determination (7:09)
- Water in Lungs (8:32)
Total Running-Time = 78:33
