Artist: Kerzenlicht / Kirous
Country: Finland
Label: Signal Rex
Formats: Split CD
Year: 2026
Manifesting themselves as a prominent new home for Finnish Black Metal, Signal Rex once agains brings two bands from the land of the thousand lakes together. Kerzenlicht is no stranger to the label, and its members have also released several records on the label thus far. New to the Portuguese home is Kirous, Kerzenlicht’s partners on this Split CD.
After a very impressive debut demo in 2025, the duo of Haarniska and Dark Divinator return with Kerzenlicht’s second recording. Striking on that first release was the raw and melancholic Black Metal with high-pitched dynamic melodies and snarling vocals. And that sound, mainly inspired by early Satanic Warmaster and the French Black Metal scene of the 90’s remains very mch the foundation of the band’s sound. The melancholy is perhaps even further enhanced in ‘As the Snow Falls…’, the first song of four new tracks that Kerzenlicht presents. Coming slightly at the expense of the rawness of the demo, there is even a slightly epic undertone in the mostly midtempo track. The vocals are still delightful, piercing and passionate, and while the majority of the track is at a medium pace, it escalates into frantic fashion late. In ‘Key to the Dark Fortress’ the band takes their riff-base approach to new heights with a Heavy Metal base with gnarly aftertaste. As in the previous track, the band stays away from the highest echelons of pace, instead aiming more for the atmosphere. It is in ‘Surrender to My Will’ that the leashes are fully let go, giving rise to a gnarly undertone with some great rocking rhythms. With ‘Kahlittu Ikuisuuteen’ the band places full emphasis on the leading melodic riffs. It has a striking familiarity and instant catchiness, yet seems a brand new track by the band. Certainly, with these four new songs Kerzenlicht, and by extension the members Haarniska and Dark Divinator, show that there is still plenty refreshing to offer to the adorers of the Finnish Black Metal sound.
Vihan Mustat Kynnet, otherwise known as Magister Salax D’volta and Lord Warmoon in his other bands, has amassed an impressive number of demos in the six years since forming Kirous. Whether it was with Devil Moon, Morgal, Sigon or White Baroness, he has always managed to produce captivating music with excellent sense of melody. And that element is what stands out with flying colors for Kirous as well. ‘Kivikätky’ has a beautiful rolling melody that is woven throughout the track. With seamless integration of some Spanish acoustic guitars, the melodic flow, atmosphere through floating keyboards and the riffs all feel delightfully simple but straight on point. In ‘Kivikätky’ the pace is slightly lower, giving room for powerful and more rocking vibes with slight epic undertone. Again the organic incorporation of the melodies stands out as an exceptional quality. Those that followed the band previously may miss the rawer sound of the demos, and much of the comparison to the likes of Ildjarn may feel a little bit more out of sight. But the uncanny combination of deceptively simple elements that are splendidly woven together is certainly something that makes Kirous a band to keep in mind.
Kerzenlicht and Kirous leave little to desire for those that cherish the current Black Metal scene. Unless of course you’re someone like me and would have loved to see these bands on vinyl as well, but let’s hope that Signal Rex still has that in the works.
