Rating: 8.9

Country: Finland

Release Date: 2007

Record Label: Woodcut Records

Track list:
1. Tappaja Ja Tapettu 05:47
2. Arkku Vailla Vainajaa 03:52
3. Kuolinjulistus 04:08
4. Riistetty Viattomuus 04:23
5. Verellä Kirjoitettu 04:08
6. Oikeutus 04:02
7. Kidutus 04:39
8. Teloitus 07:54

Band Website: Sotajumala

Sotajumala - Teloitus

Mynni Luukkainen - Vocals
Kosti Orbinski - Guitar
Pete Lapio - Guitar
Tomi Otsala - Bass, backing vocals
Timo Häkkinen - Drums

Finland might as well change its name to 'Winland' at this point, because it seems like just about every extreme metal record to come out of that country since the late 80s has been a winner. This, the second full-length by Sotajumala, is no different.

Teloitus represents a natural maturation for this death metal outfit, four years removed from their debut LP Death Metal Finland. The core sound remains firmly rooted in early 1990s American death metal, most notably Morbid Angel in the time Erik Rutan was in the band. In fact, the band's riffing style very closely resembles the better parts of the Domination album. But what sets Teloitus apart from Death Metal Finland is the fact that the songs are longer, more well-developed, less reliant on blastbeats, and generally catchier. The grind influence is virtually nonexistent here, which makes for a heavier, hookier and more atmospheric record.

The convincing militaristic tenor of the compositions - well-suited to the band's war-themed lyrics - is even more prevalent on this record thanks to the infusion of a Bolt Thrower [circa For Victory] influence. Indeed, the way in which this band manages to balance brutality with catchiness and memorable hooks in the context of pounding mid-paced death metal is quite reminiscent of Bolt Thrower in the early 90s. Of course, that doesn't mean that you'll hear anything directly reminiscent of Bolt Thrower here. Sotajumala's approach to songwriting is actually quite different, without nearly the emphasis on melodic leads that were the centerpiece of Bolt Thrower's music in that time. Instead, this band puts more stock in thick, punishing power chord progressions and tense, trem-picked low end riffs. Leads are applied sparingly in the form of quick, caustic solos with whammy bars and tapping used liberally. It's a vicious combination of martial discipline and chaos that properly captures the spirit of warfare.

The percussion on Teloitus is worthy of mention in its own right. Drummer Timo Häkkinen is a man of remarkable skill, combining the speed and precision of Gene Hoglan with the penchant for groove of Nicke Andersson back when he was destroying the skins for Entombed. If there's any more well-known drummer with whom Häkkinen draws a direct comparison, it's probably Brandon Thomas, formerly of Ripping Corpse and currently in The Dying Light - just an incredibly skilled drummer whose tight playing and creative patterns really drive the music, giving even more conviction to the martial atmosphere.

Teloitus is an album that, had it been released 13 to 15 years earlier, would've been an instant death metal classic. It's a great example of brutally efficient and effective songcraft within the genre. Today, however, it serves as a reminder of why so many of us started listening to this stuff in the first place, but updated with a thoroughly modern presentation and a production that's professional but doesn't sap the music of its intensity in the least. It falls just short of being a must-own because it's not anything groundbreaking, but it's still very much worth a purchase if you're a diehard death metal fan.

February 22nd, 2007