Karjalan Sissit - Karjalasta Kajahtaa
Country: Canada, Finland
Released: May 2004
Genre: Electronic
Style: Neo-classical, Bombastic Orchestral, Militant Industrial, Dark Ambient
Reviews: Karjalan Sissit has returned to the underground music arena with his strongest and most mature work to date. Cyclic Law Records have released the new album “Karjalasta Kajahtaa” in limited numbers. “Karjalasta Kajahtaa” is the first full-length CD release by Karjalan Sissit in some years. This comes as a real treat for those of us still relentlessly playing the first two CD releases. Karjalan Sissit continues the musical saga begun on the first two releases by further revealing dark musical landscapes defined by pounding drums and powerful choirs. Finnish folk songs and historical recordings are discreetly mixed into the album lending it a very nostalgic and historical feel. Many detractors of bombastic and often militant Orchestral / Industrial music have labeled Karjalan Sissit a nazi or fascist sympathizer. A small bit of research reveals that the artist is Swedish and his father was Finnish. The subject of war dominates the music as the artist’s father fought in a Finnish war against Russian invaders. The recent death of the artist’s father inspired this musical requiem that looks at war in both its glory and despair. Politically charged accusations against such music always falls upon itself when analyzed with a bit of research.
Karjalan Sissit delivers a monumental album that is akin to sitting through a classic symphonic work of music. Karjalan Sissit manages to expand orchestration, choirs and industrial sounds into a massive chronicle of war, history and humanity. The music encompasses diversity in sound and emotion whilst staying true to the acquired sound that has previously launched Karjalan Sissit into the spotlight as one of the most talented in this field of music. The album is really a journey through the human psyche and the experience of war and speaking of it in parts does not do it justice. The musical journey is accented by moments of martial fervor when drums and choirs seem swallow the world in exalted glory and mourning. Other moments bring the listener in closer and abandon the glory for exploration of the aftermath. The music and emotions communicated are complex and compelling.
Fans of other martial orchestral / industrial acts like Der Blutharsch and Sophia will get dizzy with the sheer impact and scope of this album. The album will be an amazing treat for established fans of Karjalan Sissit. If you thought the last album had mastered this artist’s sound then think again. “Karjalasta Kajahtaa” will leave you basking in the glory of victory, sobbing in the aftermath of atrocities and heading to the front to join the bold resistance. Fans of classical music or historic European folk would most likely find the narrative aspect of the music and the sheer emotion a nice break from the more standard fare. Persons with an interest in war, strife, history and Europe will also find a strange and wonderful journey within. In addition, fans of dark music of any shade with an open mind will find a blazing torch of an album that will burn in your heart long after you finish listening. Faeries that are new to such music but like the description should research the bands website and dive right in. If you have always loved the dramatic and often over the top music of old film classics like The Ten Commandments and Ben Hur then “Karjalasta Kajahtaa” is waiting for you!
