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

Review by Alex on August 16, 2020.

Can't stop listening to this split between Venator and Angel Blade, could not have asked for a better effort from these two heavy metal bands. Venator rocks the shores of Austria whilst Angel Blade cuts through the German fields. Each of them offer 3 songs and I kid you not, both band’s sound as though they're here to do a lot more than just play heavy metal, they're hunting for heads. Big players within the genre are put on early notice.

Venator kicks off proceedings with 'Paradiser', and let me say it now, it’s one of the best heavy metal songs I've heard in perhaps the last decade or so. You get visions of someone warming up for a fistfight or something of the sort, so Rocky fans, you definitely need this in your record collection. The production to the song itself reeks of an early 80s charm and Venator scores high where the quality is concerned. The sharp production captures the passion behind the vocals sung with utmost reverence for the era and the riff work behind the catchy chorus will make it near impossible to move on to the next entry. I can’t quite put my finger on it but the vocalist performing on this song sounds like a mix of Rob Halford and another prominent singer of the same era, damn I just can't pick it out. Nevertheless, you get my point, the singing here is remarkable and is the main highlight of the music on Venator's side of the split.

Heading onto 'Blind Ambition' you get more of that riffing and vocal goodness coming from Austrians. Simply structured, but catchy as hell, it'd have you snapping your fingers, head banging and tapping to the beat. 'Creatures of the Sea' is yet another rocking jam, equipped with beastly singing, strong riffing and punchy drumming. All 3 songs play off the strengths of each other whilst managing to maintain a steady progression, climaxing towards the end.

Angel Blade seem to take things a bit further back than the 80s on their half of the split. Sending waves of mid 70s mesmerism with their analog-esque production and their tunes. Another strong vocalist here, serving up dopamine shots of effective mid ranged singing accentuated with either melodic stretches of vocal highs or lows. From 'Rocking Nights' to the self-titled 'Angel Blade', you get the vision of what this German lineup aims to do and why you should be excited for Angel Blade. 'Blast From the Past' could not have been a more accurate title, it really does feel like you've been cannoned to the mid/late 70s. Sassy riffing catapult at you, while organic heavy metal vocals soar high and land atop contented drumming that plays-around a bit on the cymbals. Angel Blade has their sound down to a T, and the final self-titled track enforces that.

As to how there's not more mention of Venator and Angel Blade is beyond me; however, I think that will change soon enough. If there's a full length album to succeed this split (that has a similar or the same production respectfully) between the two steel wielders of old then you'd better put aside some funds..... For now be humble with the vinyl and digital versions available through Dying Victims Productions.

Rating: 8.7 out of 10