Review by JD on June 15, 2010.

Finland has some wickedly amazing metal coming out of the small snow-swept country, some of the most brutal yet intriguing music that raises the bar for others. Because of that, this two band split EP made me curious as hell.

Each band has one original song on the CD, as well as each have chosen an Iron Maiden cover to add in as well. Deathchain does one of my favourite Maiden tunes 'Purgatory'...and does a great job of it. Sotajumala does 'Prowler'... another classic tune and a very intensely
enjoyable version has been born. Each do an amazing job of their respective covers... but the one original tune was a difference maker.

Sotajumala single original track is called 'Sinun Virtesi'. A track that is pretty good in spots, but ends up falling very short of being close to memorable. The track sounds just like a whole lot of other bands out there... and really does wallow in the murkiness of the mundaneness that is the scene. The recording was a little shoddy as well, and that added to the whole thing.

Deathchain’s original song is called 'The Crawling Chaos'. It has some great guitar work and interesting melody that perked my interest a little... but that does not hid the fact that the song is boring. The band do have some serious talent that I can hear, but I am feeling as if they had picked the wrong song to put out. The song does not showcase that they have talent... a fact perfectly clear to any who hear it.

So there you have it. They have proven to do cover classic metal great, but they really do need work in the original department. I hear that both bands have some talent that is not evident on the EP, but sadly, its being talented as a cover band. I hope I am wrong here, but I can only go with what I am hearing. Covers were good; originals were not. Nuff said.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 6
Atmosphere: 5
Production: 5
Originality:3.5
Overall: 5

Rating: 4.9 out of 10