Review Summary: Gear up and raise your steel high in the moonlight!
This must be the peak, right? As far as this old guy is concerned, Havukruunu have been trampling over their peers with increased vigor over the past decade.
Tavastland continues this trend with the band’s densest stretch of battle-ready metal to date. Despite a razor-sharp focus, the album carries over some of the whacky, free-flowing guitar solos that were on display the last time the band unsheathed their sword in 2020’s
Uinuos Syomein Sota. It felt unlikely to me they could top that album. Now, I’m not so sure.
Tavastland is full of incredible urgency, with towering guitars doing much of the heavy lifting in between hints of life in the pitch-black landscape. The opening breath of “Kuoleman Oma” evokes gorgeous scenery with earthy acoustic guitars that morph into some beefy mid-tempo chugs. By the end of the track, it’s a full-on assault of epic guitar clashing. Other than the occasional chant, spoken word, or ominous hoot of a possessed owl,
Tavastland is completely uncompromising in its vision; it often feels like Havukruunu are just beating you over the head with everything they’ve got. There’s certainly less breathing room than their typical outing. I know very little about the Tavastian revolt against the Catholic church, but I can confirm that inspiration for the album has led Havukruunu to their most convincing, intense manifestation – which is saying a lot!
Tavastland works incredibly well as a relentless, cohesive whole. Primary songwriter Stefan Sorghammer (one of the most metal names ever) completely demolishes his throat and shows off his raw range with each guttural cry. It might have a traditional black metal foundation, but Havukruunu have proven once again they’re anything but standard. The wide range of influences from power metal, classical, folk, and much more are packed together so tightly, they can often be hiding in a single set of riffs. This is some
dense, high-powered insanity. Anyone looking for a badass assortment of triumphant and unpredictable metal need not waste another second. The entire experience made me feel giddy, but the massive, archaic bookends sealed the deal.
