Iku-Turso returns to the wild.
With their new EP Wolfheart, Sovereign (guitar/bass/vocals, Korpituli, Nachtvrucht, Wrathage…), F. (keyboards/clear vocals, Wrathage, live for Ancient and Order of Nosferat…), Lafawijn (vocals, Nachtvrucht, Salacious Gods, Terdor) and Anzillu (drums, Curse upon a Prayer, From the Void, Nachtvrucht, Order of Nosferat, Sarastus…) renew their partnership with Purity Through Fire and Korpituli Productions.
Pagan Beasts opens this EP with a touch of melancholy coupled with coldness, but it’s not long before the growls join the march, sometimes supported by morbid backing vocals that contribute to the oppressive atmosphere. The keyboards provide contrast, developing their majestic tones in the background, but the composition becomes more impressive as it draws on its Pagan roots, not hesitating to slow our progress to offer intoxicating moments before resuming its military allure, joining the virulent Gales Of Hail. This violent track, too, features a few backing vocals that in no way detract from its fury, maintaining a permanently catchy sound that doesn’t shy away from speeding up from time to time before descending into dissonance on Grizzled Skies, which follows with a plaintive, haunting sound. The vocals are also very different, tinged with wrenching DSBM influences that plunge us into their darkness, before taking us back into their frantic race for a moment, then returning to their desolate tones to finally lead into the short, slightly more upbeat Midwinter, on which the musicians remain in their sometimes aggressive Old School tones. The track would have deserved to last a little longer, but it’s followed by Beyond the Great Vast Forest, a cover of Norwegian legend Emperor, a composition to which the band pay tribute by magnifying the riffs with luminous keyboards and wild vociferations.
There’s no doubt about it: Iku-Turso has a way with its Old School roots! Although a little short, Wolfheart transports us to the snowy landscapes of Finland for a fast-paced journey into darkness, with even a final surprise.
85/100