Review by Felix on November 20, 2023.

The steadfast legion of hell called Azaghal has created its own black universe. Its coordinates are misanthropy, despair, violence and insanity. This does not sound absolutely unique and I agree that a lot of further back metal artists rely on a formula with very similar ingredients. Yet we also have to consider that Azaghal follow the doctrines of Satan since almost 20 years and I do not think that they ever thought about leaving this pitch-black path. This applies at least to guitarist Narqath, who is part of the line-up since the very early demo days. He keeps the flame of evil burning and his inciting lines that ornament "Thanatos", the first regular track, prove his firm belief. Already this song signals the unwavering attitude of the satanic apostles like a blood-soaked banner which flutters proudly in the wind. Enjoy this raw chunk of pure black metal which is neither cleanly nor amateurishly produced. Of course, miserable creatures that do not understand the brilliance of black metal will moan that the drums are totally controlled by the bulldozing guitars. Frankly speaking, it doesn't matter. The sound of the here presented full-length combines demonic underground vibrations with an appropriate degree of penetrative power. As a result, "Madon sanat" is another album (the tenth regular full-length) of the devilish marathon runners which impresses with its hellish aura.

I must admit that the exotic Finnish language will forever remain a closed book to me. This might be the reason why Azaghal's albums have this extra portion of inscrutability. Yet there exist more factors that shape the monolithic appearance of their products. The unleashed guitar work commutes between terrorizing riffs and almost hymnal lines which include the iota of integrable melodies. In particular cluster bombs such as "Ziggurat" or "Kanavoija" show how this powerful cocktail works, while every band member attacks with uttermost grimness. For example, lead vocalist Niflungr, who is also responsible for the bass guitar, has borrowed the lungs of Satan himself and celebrates an orgy of pain, sadism and inhumanity. I do not think one can call his dogged performance elastic or flexible, but this is absolutely irrelevant. The crucial factor is that Niflungr reaches the maximum level of bitterness, only comparable with that of Adolf Hitler during his last days in the bunker. Consequently, Azaghal's shouter delivers exactly the counterpart of the instrumental annihilation. The perfect match between the vocals and the music is a clear sign of the band's maturity. Only those who believe that progress is a value in itself will blame them for stagnation, but I appreciate the unmodified strategy of the formation.

Generally speaking, one of the most crucial success factors of black metal is its degree of intensity. In this regard, Azaghal have done their homework properly. Especially the second half is crammed with barbaric leads that kiss high velocity rhythms. The foul stench of bestiality gets stronger and stronger, but with few exceptions, the enormous vehemence of their composition is not at the expense of structure or clarity. Moreover, the band is able to vary its approach within the self-imposed, narrow frame. The most (more or less) exceptional song on "Madon Sanat" is the title track. Nearly ritualistic parts which only rely on the rhythm section and furious guitar eruptions alternate with each other, while the background vocals add a more or less religiously motivated chorus. Don't worry, I am not speaking of any kind of established religion. Azaghal still keep their rather crude faith - and they still stick to their musical convictions. This means, among other things, that a few number of riffs seems to lie in very close proximity to some riffs of their previous albums. Be that as it may, "Madon Sanat" has opened a new, exciting chapter in the equally exciting discography of the Finnish wrecking crew. Thus, I say "81 percent" and Mika Luttinnen says, of course, "Suomi, Finland, perkele". Only your judgment is missing.

Rating: 8.1 out of 10