Artist: Jumalhamara
Title: Resignaatio
Type: Album
Label: Ahdistuksen Adhio Productions

There have been a few rumblings from various underground circles regarding the potency of this Finnish collective, murmurings of appreciation for an act that seem shrouded in mystery and draped in surrealism. It may just be that Finland is very ‘in’ when it comes to the more obscure side of black metal, however a cursory glance at the artwork and ambience surrounding ‘Resignaatio’ smacks of something far more intriguing than another assembly-line blast of monochromatic redundancy. Indeed, it’s a quite compelling piece of work - suffocating yet expansive, harrowing yet oddly beautiful, grinding yet melodic, Resignaatio is at times a paradoxical experience that demonstrates that the Finns have perfected the fine art of juxtaposition.

There are shades of many of the more contemporary, art-rock influenced acts of recent times throughout the record with ‘Storm in Coming’ carrying distinct shades of Cobalt and the haunting, clean-guitar led ‘596’ smacking not insignificantly of the more reflective side of Enslaved. Jumalhamara balance these more considered pieces expertly with a truly vicious side – opener ‘Ecstasy in Blood – A Ballad’ is anything but, ten minutes of pummelling blasts, snarling guitars and demented vocal howling. Speaking of which, the vocals throughout ‘Resignaatio’ are exemplary, conveying a truly evocative sense of emotive desperation. Be it the echoing drones throughout the aforementioned ‘596’ or the relentless, multi-layered cries that build towards the climax of ‘Of Enlightenment and Righteousness Part II’, there’s a conviction in the delivery here that truly connects.

‘Resignaatio’ is not an easy listen. Like Cobalt, it’s abrasive and raw on a sonic, emotive and spiritual level - in these times of easily-digested and compartmentalised black metal, the schizophrenic nature of this release could easily threaten the unwary. At times – and when the band ramp up the intensity - the claustrophobic din becomes almost physically draining. Nevertheless, if you are starting to tire of managing to second-guess how an album will sound by simply glancing at the cover, this may well be the record for you. Dripping with emotion but never descending into the mire of melodrama, ‘Resignaatio’ is a genuine experience.

http://www.ahdistuksenaihio.com/