Authors of just one release so far – 2011’s ‘Kahleiden Kantaja’ single – you could hardly call Vainaja a prolific act. Furthermore, the Finns are in fact rather mysterious, consisting of three members known simply as The Gravedigger (drums), The Cantor (guitars) and The Preacherman (bass); all names referring to individuals from the murderous 19th century Finnish tale on which ‘Kadotetut’ (or ‘Lost’) is conceptually based. The lyrics – all in Finnish – are apparently transcribed from the sermon book of the original ‘Preacher’ at the heart of this narrative. (If you want to know more about the legend, check out the band’s facebook page…)
All this and I haven’t even mentioned what style of metal Vainaja plies. Well opener ‘Landkeemus’ refuses to give anything away: an amalgamation of birds singing, gentle strumming and godly echoes to create an atmosphere equal parts pleasant and promising. Once ‘Väärän Ristin Valtakunta’ hits with a chiming bell, however, there is simply one word to describe the accompanying riffs and beats: DOOM! Okay so strictly speaking this isn’t 100% representative as death also permeates the ungodly textures on offer – particularly in the predatory sounding guitars and obscure vocal incantations (provided by all three participants). Third track, ‘Kahleiden Kantaja’, opens with a riff which is like Obituary on a downer; the whole thing magnified by a fantastically thick production, in which clarity for each instrument and those ominous roars is guaranteed. The rumbling funereal march of the music, intoxicating riffs and veils of synth weave a sublime tapestry.
And how about that for a fantastic riff at the beginning of ‘Valon Lapset’! Heavy-as-fudge, serpentine and aided by a constantly rattling cymbal, it’s just the perfect brew of intimidation and misery. Although perhaps the best part of the track is where a galloping foray gets unceremoniously derailed as another of those earth-shattering riffs grabs you by the throat to tear you down into ever darker realms. ‘Henkikaste’ (‘Spirit Baptism’, according to Google translate…) provides an unsettling sermon in Finnish before ‘Verinen Lähde’ reaffirms the album’s production as being ‘the full package’. The instruments here batter like waves in a storm: relentlessly coming from all angles to force you under. An aspect around the 2:30 mark gets me thinking of the latest Morbus Chron though the context here is far more coherent, with the pace best described as premeditated.
‘Risti Kädessäni’, for instance, operates steadily until an unexpectedly menacing complexion descends over the track thanks to one hefty, moribund riff. In other words, the pace deviates from threatening to homicidal in instant. Longest track of the disc ‘Viimeinen Tuomio’ evolves from its ghostly beginnings with dreamy guitars and wind instrumentation before: BAM! Like a T-Rex bursting through the jungle canopy (my last simile for today), power chords and terrifying vocals shatter the etherial calm. Occult undertones pervade, with vocals ranging from the deep and deathly to occasional messianic lectures; the music all the while maneuvering obtusely and unaffected by worldly concerns. To some extent, it could be argued that black metal – bands like Root, perhaps – also influence Vainaja’s morbid approach. The sermon voice monologue over an epic doom riff and chants at the album’s close certainly wouldn’t rule out such a notion.
Once ‘Kadotetut’ fades into silence, you know that you’ve just encountered a terrific album. The songwriting envelopes with its perfect balance of subtlety and crushing force while the instruments hammer away throughout. The fact that the vocal duties are shared also renders this death/doom ever more monolithic. Abstract and addictive, ‘Kadotetut’ feels more like twenty minutes long rather than its actual running time of forty. To make time melt like this takes some doing and for that, as well as the fact that this is their debut effort, Vainaja deserve immense respect.
(9/10 Jamie)
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