Saattue
Ikiuneen... (Promo) 2006
Saattue is a Finnish band that has been around since the beginning of the millenium. While they have some years behind them, they haven't released anything on a label. But despite being unsigned and this being a promo, it's very professionally made. It has a high quality recording, high quality inlay and professional printing on the CD. Not bad. Translating the tracks posed a few problems (thanks to our Finnish forum members for the help!). It turned out that the track 'Luuterhuri' (translated: "bone cultivator") is probably a twist on the word puuterhuri, which means "gardener" (in other words, a plant cultivator). Things like necromancy spring to mind, but since the promo has an overal depressive theme, it is also a good suggestion that it might be a graveyard caretaker. However, the band might have intended something else which has completely eluded me. The sound on the promo CD reminds me very much of a melodic doom/death version of Ajattara. Heavy, pushy riffing with dark, yet epic, vocals and bright guitars in the background. Another distinct similarity are the Finnish lyrics. Definitely a band to check out if you find most melodic doom bands too light or just want the sound to become heavier. The promo might be short, but I find this to be one of the most promising bands within the genre. They bring in a new sound which will please both fans of melancholic doom metal and those who want their doom/death meat to be raw. Definitely worth checking out.	1. Luuterhuri 2. Ikiuneen 3. Kaaosmaa Translated Track list: 1. Bone Cultivator 2. Never Ending Sleep 3. Chaosland Approx. 16 minutes
Reviewed by: Arnstein H. Pettersen