Loosely translated, ‘Kurjien Elegia’ means “Evil Energy.” As you will see, that kind of explains things a bit. From Finland, one of the “happiest countries in the world,” comes Vvorse, a Neo-Crust/Hardcore outfit that in a mere thirty-four minutes manages to expose every nerve and beat them all senseless. Seriously, this is the aural equivalent of a back-alley bludgeoning. This is a full-tilt Blackened Speed Metal Hard Core hybrid with the most agonized vocals this side of the Lake of Fire I’ve heard in a long long time. And it is awesome!
‘Kurjien Elegia’ is hyperspeed tempos, vocals that are more akin to a verbal assault, and lyrics all in Finnish! Just because I can’t understand the words doesn’t mean I don’t get it. Anger, frustration, all the common threads of human existence are laid bare for the world to see.
Vvorse is hardly a yksi temppu poni. While these songs generally speed along at Mach 2, 3, and 4, the band knows when to reign it in, creating layers of artistic tension (“Käännyn hiljaa pois”)and other times conjuring a splendid melding of Blackened Thrash and Traditional Metal (“Nevar tā blakus līdzi just“). There are many twists, turns in this snapped-neck outing, but mostly it is about getting your mind plowed and your soul scorched. In truth, this album will not appeal to some people. At all. Give it a go and let me know your thoughts. Vau. Mikä kyyti!
