MORS SUBITA
“INTO THE PITCH BLACK”
Album Review by Dark Juan
9/10

Mors Subita are:

Eemeli Bodde – Vocals
Mika Lammassaari – Guitars & Backing vocals
Ville Miinala – Drums
Mika Junttila – Bass

Hello, folks. This is a record by a Finnish band with unpronounceable names, hence the two Mikas are now known as Mika Guitar and Mika Bass. Ville (on drums) I can just about manage but the chap on vocals is going to be known for the duration of this ramble through my subconscious (but loosely based on the music) as “The Singer”. I have enough trouble with English; Finnish will just send me a bit mental and that’s not a good idea. I just copied and pasted the names off the Press Kit. My sanity, and hopefully the rest of this review will be safe.

Anyway, what metallic delights do Mors Subita have in store for us? Soundwise, they are tremendously Scandi-metal sounding – utterly clinical, ice cold production values, every single instrument honed to scalpel-like accuracy and highly reminiscent of At The Gates and that melodic death metal sound that frozen northerners with large beards do so well. There are some lovely little chord progressions and melodies tucked away in the songs which offer them a slightly gothic quality, when the Mikas and Ville aren’t going insane and actually slow down a bit. There’s a hint of the famous Yorkshire miserablists Paradise Lost in there and that’s the kind of level of detail that sets apart a competent record from a bloody good one. I’m currently erring towards bloody good. On the initial spin of this disc, I was inclined to write it off as generic Scandi-metal; scratchy roars from “The Singer”, pounding, speedy drumming from the Ville-meister and the Mikas being all technical with guitar and bass. This feeling persisted until I got to the song called I, God. It is a masterclass in how metal can be inventive with structure and feel and still remain as heavy as a plutonium planetoid. The true highlight of an album which is continuing to surprise and delight this jaded old bastard. Mika Guitar is a splendid example of the breed of Greater Long-Haired Rock Guitarist, with sharp, angular, LETHAL riffing and some very tasty soloing. Yummy.  Mika Bass is a sharp assed individual too, being a solid, bowel loosening presence underpinning the sound of the band (perilously close to the brown frequency there, Mika, lad!) and being a fine counterpoint to Ville pounding the tins in the back. A most accomplished drummer, technical, precise and like a machine gun on the double bass kicks. “The Singer” has a much better voice than you really give him credit for too. He sounds strained and hoarse on the song Path To The Abyss and this song indeed is a bit of a plodder and the weakest on the record. From there on though they hit the gas and never let up. There’s subtle keyboards enhancing the madness in places too, which is a welcome addition to a sound that normally scorns keyboards for purity’s sake….

Right then. These Finnish psychopaths are very good. Powerful and sharp but with interesting bits scattered throughout the record which merits many a repeat listen. Melodic death with gothic influences is the best way to describe them. Or, in my own inimitable fashion: Like a rusting black juggernaut with flames painted on it powered by riffs screaming down a snow covered road in the night, the blackened steel snowplough in front driving torrents of snow to either side, and the only sign of humanity you can see is two maniacal eyes, peering through the vision slit cut into the armour plating over the windshield. They see right through you, into your burned, shrivelled and cankered soul. He knows. He knows what you have done and it’s only because he’s cursed to forever drive this behemoth you have survived. Otherwise he was going to cut out your heart. Then the sound and the rushing air passing snaps across your face like a flabby kid punching you. You’d better change your ways tomorrow. Otherwise Mors Subita will be coming back for you. By the way, Mors Subita means Sudden Death in Latin. Quite so. Recommended.

The Patented Dark Juan Blood Splat Rating System was taken by surprise by Mors Subita and therefore gives them 9/10. That’s equivalent to the blood volume of several sperm whales being dumped on your head in a bizarre accident involving a water bombing aircraft and a colossal clerical error.

Tracklist:

Path To The Abyss
Dead Sun
Into The Pitch Black
I, God
Vultures
As Humanity Weeps
Alas
Fear Is Just The Beginning
Defeat
Shadows
The Void

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