Rating:

Links:

- Official Website

Saattue is a sixpiece from Riihimäki who originally started out as Kiduttaja in 2001. The band changed its name around the time of its first EP release, 'Kivisydän', in 2004 and has now released a new three-song demo which presents a mature band with promising song material.

Strangely enough, my initial association upon first listening to the intro of "Luutarhuri" was Einherjer. In fact, the chorus vocals of this song would fit well with any viking metal outfit. But don't get the wrong idea - Saattue is a doom metal band closer to the likes of Swallow the Sun and perhaps Reverend Bizarre than to the folk and pagan metal scene. Their sound is multi-layered and often massive, as may be expected from a band featuring three guitarists. Acoustic guitars an keyboards are given some space here and there, and well-balanced dynamics as well as patient attention to detail place 'Ikiuneen' clearly above the bulk of demo recordings. Like many other bands, Saattue mix clean (and sometimes dirty) vocals with death metal growls, although the latter, provided by guitarist Hapa, play a subordinate role. Lead singer Tuke Koskinen has a versatile voice and doesn't restrict himself to one style, although I still find the pirate banquet atmosphere of the first song's chorus more amusing than it was probably intended. Together with the lyrics, it unfailingly evokes a memory of my teenage days a couple of decades ago and a favorite song of those long-gone times - "Ehrenmann" by the incomparable Toten Hosen. Forgive my treacherous ears...

In stark contrast to this stands the title track, "Ikiuneen", which handles the subject of passing on in a much more serious and personal fashion. Clearly my favorite track on this EP, it has it all - beauty, sadness, dramatics, convincing vocals, assertive guitars, and above all a melody that will take firm hold of your subconscious before you even notice it. The last of the three songs, "Kaaosmaa" is more along the lines of the opener. Another catchy tune with buccaneer-style vocals that starts with a moody little piano intro and features my favorite guitar solo of this little record.

For all the mixed associations and strange comments above, let me tell you that this stuff works. I've been listening to this demo quite a lot and like it more and more. Saattue appear determined to go beyond doom metal and come up with something fresh, and with this demo, they are well on the way. And the Finnish language works damn well with these songs. 

Eurynome