Review by Jack on June 1, 2002.

Ouch. This is one engrossing album. Everything about Wolverine and their latest album, “The Window Purpose” is so meticulously prepared and executed that it is absolutely phenomenal. Even with the finest modern albums of today you can usually bank on a few minor faults. Wolverine are clearly firm believers of the school of thought that subscribes success to a complete and total package. One only has to look to the artwork on “The Window Purpose” to see how universal the concept of “The Window Purpose” is. Every page is finely detailed with unique details and subtle usage of vibrant colors. I believe careful design and implementation of graphics and art on an album goes a long, long way to throwing across a band’s message.

I’ll be the first to say that progressive metal/rock isn’t my preferred form of music within the metal field, but just lately my perceptions of the genre has been rising higher and higher with each listen (hear Into Eternity for another great example of metal and progressive rock). Wolverine, I feel is the epitome of the progressive field of music. “The Window Purpose” is full of expert and precise application of devious guitar hooks that it becomes thoroughly infatuating. I say devious because Wolverine to me are masters of insidious and shrewd song compositions that draw a listener in so completely that they hardly know they are dependent on the song.

In addition to the addicting nature of guitarists Per Broddesson and Mikael Zell are the charismatic vocals of Stefan Zell (also responsible for bass guitar). This guy really knows how to spellbind an audience through his sorcery in the vocal arts. The lyrics on “The Window Purpose” are all fairly accomplished, flanking around somber romantic and dark concepts on the nature of humanity. These competent tales would surely be undone if it were not for the storytelling capacity of Stefan. The man is the maestro of Wolverine.

Throughout the ten prescribed tracks on “The Window Purpose”, Wolverine play each song like it is their last attempt to leave their mark upon the world. Wolverine put their all into every note, lyric, and overall base dynamics of each song. Every song is a winner and potential CD single, if Wolverine decided to go that way. Without any exceptions, “The Window Purpose” weaves and rotates a full spectrum of progressive expertise, while all the time tugging and prodding at the audience; tempting and taunting them, till they are fully absorbed.

Finally, to add to my earlier mention of the influence of the artwork, it is the real nitty-gritty or intangible features of “The Window Purpose” that help elevate them well above the pack.

Bottom Line: I can say with unequivocal ease that this is a rare album with very, very little musical faults.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 10
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.1 out of 10

Review by Jack on June 1, 2002.

Ouch. This is one engrossing album. Everything about Wolverine and their latest album, “The Window Purpose” is so meticulously prepared and executed that it is absolutely phenomenal. Even with the finest modern albums of today you can usually bank on a few minor faults. Wolverine are clearly firm believers of the school of thought that subscribes success to a complete and total package. One only has to look to the artwork on “The Window Purpose” to see how universal the concept of “The Window Purpose” is. Every page is finely detailed with unique details and subtle usage of vibrant colors. I believe careful design and implementation of graphics and art on an album goes a long, long way to throwing across a band’s message.

I’ll be the first to say that progressive metal/rock isn’t my preferred form of music within the metal field, but just lately my perceptions of the genre has been rising higher and higher with each listen (hear Into Eternity for another great example of metal and progressive rock). Wolverine, I feel is the epitome of the progressive field of music. “The Window Purpose” is full of expert and precise application of devious guitar hooks that it becomes thoroughly infatuating. I say devious because Wolverine to me are masters of insidious and shrewd song compositions that draw a listener in so completely that they hardly know they are dependent on the song.

In addition to the addicting nature of guitarists Per Broddesson and Mikael Zell are the charismatic vocals of Stefan Zell (also responsible for bass guitar). This guy really knows how to spellbind an audience through his sorcery in the vocal arts. The lyrics on “The Window Purpose” are all fairly accomplished, flanking around somber romantic and dark concepts on the nature of humanity. These competent tales would surely be undone if it were not for the storytelling capacity of Stefan. The man is the maestro of Wolverine.

Throughout the ten prescribed tracks on “The Window Purpose”, Wolverine play each song like it is their last attempt to leave their mark upon the world. Wolverine put their all into every note, lyric, and overall base dynamics of each song. Every song is a winner and potential CD single, if Wolverine decided to go that way. Without any exceptions, “The Window Purpose” weaves and rotates a full spectrum of progressive expertise, while all the time tugging and prodding at the audience; tempting and taunting them, till they are fully absorbed.

Finally, to add to my earlier mention of the influence of the artwork, it is the real nitty-gritty or intangible features of “The Window Purpose” that help elevate them well above the pack.

Bottom Line: I can say with unequivocal ease that this is a rare album with very, very little musical faults.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 10
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.1 out of 10

Review by Felix on November 3, 2024.

Finnish black metal is both an autonomous brand and a style that leaves a lot of space for many shades of grey. It is a pretty long way from the devastating sounds of Behexen or Azaghal to the more melodic, sometimes symphonic approach that bands like Vargrav prefer. Somewhere between these poles, a new one-man project found its place. Valontuoja have a lot of sinister melodies in their luggage, but they avoid any form of sticky sweetness. Their level of vehemence is comparable to that of Kataklysm and this means that no one has to fear any lame or inadequate ingredients. Thus, the foundations are laid.

But Luonnon Armoilla has much more to offer than only a good fundament. The lone wolf who runs this so-called band demonstrates a surprisingly good feel for the necessary harshness, the recommended dose of bitterness, and quite omnipresent grimness. Given this situation, the melody lines have to struggle in order to be recognized. But in general, people who enjoy Finnish black metal do not love harmonic melodies more than everything else, right? Anyway, our lonely friend Jal’zoroth creates a hellish vortex with vicious thoroughness. The eight tracks are similarly designed, but this is more of a strength than a weakness. They build a compact unit without falling victim to their spiritual brotherhood – no song delivers just one boring second. Not a bad record for a first work, if I am not mistaken.

I am not totally happy with the production, because the drums could be more punchy (the guy loves short drum intros…) and the mix does not sound very organic. Yet despite the somewhat unnatural appearance, the album doesn’t lack an atmosphere. Furthermore, the production delivers a remarkable density. All in all, the technical implementation is absolutely acceptable but not as great as the artwork. What a shame that the debut is not released on vinyl. Hopefully, this omission will soon be rectified. Not only because it is a fantastic painting, but it also captures the atmosphere of the song material in a very suitable way.

The whole album culminates in the broad scenarios delivering closer. I would not call its title very catchy ('Hengitä Vihdoin Puhdasta Ilmaa') and its ending appears pretty abrupt. Nevertheless, this is a little milestone of Finnish blackness due to its mix of awesome harmonies and merciless malignancy. Yet this is not to say that the seven tracks before the finale have nothing to say. Quite the opposite, the reign of unleashed wildness begins with the opener and continues during the following songs in a breathtaking manner. All tracks provide cascading guitar lines that develop a nearly hypnotizing effect. I don’t exaggerate when I say that the album fulfills one of my highest quality features: when I listen to the fifth track, I am sure it is the best of the album, but the sixth track immediately makes me doubt again because it seems to be even better. And it doesn’t matter which tracks I choose, the third and the seventh, the opener and the second – the result is always the same.

Summing up, this is probably one of the best debuts from Finland ever. The material does not focus on a totally ice-cold aura, but it picks up the typical aesthetics from Suomi. Luonnon Armoilla shines like a mighty northern light in the polar sky that is darkened for months. Three years ago, Malignament fired their outstanding debut into the Finnish night, and now Valontuoja join the fight with a similar approach on a comparable quality level. I am highly impressed. To enter these dizzying heights with the first step is no matter of course, by far not. Malignament did not deliver a successor so far – maybe Valontuoja wants to fill the gap soon? Either way, I am curious to see how this project will continue.

Rating: 9.2 out of 10