IMPALED NAZARENE - Pro Patria Finlandia (12" Gatefold LP on Electric Blue Vinyl w/ Black Marble)

Impaled Nazarene, a Finnish Black Metal band formed in 1990 by vocalist Mika Luttinen, presents their ninth studio album, Pro Patria Finlandia. Known for their brutal mix of Black Metal, Speed Metal, and Grindcore, the album delivers a relentless and chaotic sonic experience.

Pro Patria Finlandia conjures a sensation of impending doom, characterized by its breakneck speed, heavy intensity, and unrelenting chaos. The drumming, skillfully executed by Reima Kellokoski, is dominated by a continuous onslaught of blast beats. The guitar work, courtesy of Tuomo Louhio and Jarno Anttila, features lightning-fast and melodic riffs, along with brutal tremolo picking.

While the bass guitar is generally elusive, as is common in Black Metal, it does make occasional appearances in the mix. Mika's vocals showcase his versatility, transitioning from a low-pitched shout to high-pitched screams, effectively conveying the album's intensity. The lyrics encompass a wide range of themes, often infused with dark humor. Some tracks, like "Something Sinister," "Goat Sodomy," and "Contempt," carry a humorous tone, while others, such as "One Dead Nation Under Dead God" and "For Those Who Have Fallen," delve into more serious subjects like war.

Pro Patria Finlandia is not for those who take Black Metal extremely seriously and lack a sense of humor. However, for those seeking a departure from the genre's seriousness and an album that combines humor with occasional seriousness, this is a worthy addition. Overall, the album impresses with its relentless intensity, with the only minor drawback being a lack of variety in some sections.