Formed in 1993, by sole guitarist Kyprian, Kyprian's Circle was a Finnish based Black Metal band who never quite got the credit they deserved. The band in its many incarnations was never able to complete a full-length, but instead released a string of high in musical quality demo's and a single EP, with each succesive record being better than the last. The last release to come from Kyprian's Circle was the EP
Noitatulen Vartija, a spectacular, multifaceted mini-album featuring session members from more prolific bands such as Satanic Warmaster and Shape of Despair.
The album starts with acoustic piece
Ikiyön Liekit, a folk inspired track with a simple guitar line and military style drums in the background. While the track may seem to serve as just a throwaway intro, it actually paves the way to the style of the music the rest of the album will employ.
Kun Puhui Myrskyn Henki also starts off with a melodic acoustic guitar introduction, not unlike something heard on Ulver's
Kveldssanger but then bursts into a mid-paced yet aggressive Black Metal tune. The guitars are quite melodic, following a simple, catchy progression yet still adhering to the Black Metal aesthetic. The drumming is quite simple as well, following a simple hard rock-influenced pattern. Vocally however, all the correct rasps are in place, courtesy of Satanic Warmaster frontman, Nazgul. His mid-ranged screech just overflows with raw, power sounding truly like a something summoned from Hell itself. As the song progresses, it picks up speed, soon becoming something more akin to traditional Black Metal. It's not before long that grandiose atmospherics start to creep their way in the song, greatly thickening its sound. While most bands employ keyboards as a gimmick, Kyprian's Circle only sparingly adds the orchestral keys, making the moments where they are present much more enjoyable.
Third track and title track
Noitatulen Vartija definitely takes the cake as the most epic song on the album. It starts with the trademark, blistering blast beats and high tempo tremolo picked chords, while still keeping it melodic and catchy. Soon, however, the highlight instrument isn't the guitar, but it is the keyboard, which makes its presence overwhelmingly strong, through the use of classic piano runs and Folk-inspired atmosphere. The great thing about keyboardist Toni Raehalme (from Shape of Despair) is that he is able to make the keyboards work incredibly well as a lead instrument, but also a backing instrument. Rarely do synths take the limelight, but when they do, it seems to fit perfectly without seeming too forced or contrived. Next song,
Helvetin Pajassa on Miekkamme Taottu is the most obviously influenced by classic 90's Black Metal, with a noticeable dip in melody and the song having a much faster pace then the previous tracks. The only time where there is dip in tempo is during a slight synth break, which then leads back a fierce, scathing Black Metal assault and taking its place as the heaviest section of the album. Final closing title
Kuolemasi Minä Olen is a straight up Viking Metal track from beginning to finish. Throughout the song, the guitars remain at the forefront unrelenting and harsh, yet retaining strong melodies that would remind anyone of glories victories of battles fought in the long past. Kyprian's guitar lines never at any point on the album reach a level of high technicality, but they themselves carry the song's with their strength in melody and emotion.
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While
Noitatulen Vartija may not quite have what it takes to be a classic within the Black Metal genre, it most definitely is an excellent listen to anyone willing to try it. If the band kept going in this direction, they no doubt would have a place in the throes of BM history, but unfortunately their time was cut short due to unknown reasons. However, their legacy lives strong within the bands few releases, with
Noitatulen Vartija undoubtedly being the best of the bunch.
