Artist: Siimes
Country: Finland
Label: Self-released
Formats: Digital EP
Year: 2023
Siimes from Joensuu, Finland, is not your typical Finnish Black Metal band. At least not in terms of musical formula. Rather than basing their style on influential compatriots such as Beherit, Satanic Warmaster, Horna or Archgoat, the two songs featured on their debut EP ‘Näkyjä Pimeydessä’ rather give their interpretation of dissonant Black Metal in the vein of in particular Svartidauði and bands from the Icelandic scene.
The resulting 18 minutes of material is restless, layered Black Metal with ever-shfting drum patterns and contrarian riffs. But Siimes is by no means a carbon copy of ‘Flesh Cathedral’ or ‘Aphotic Womb’. The major distinction is the prominent presence on rather straightforward and harmonic guitar leads that form a red thread through the songs. Against this rather uniform melody is the second dissonant guitar layer, which together with nervous dynamic drums form an unstable layer to antagonize the stability of the melodic elements. In particular ‘Pelon Ruhtinas’ displays the band at their most anxious in terms of variation, but it has to be made clear here that Siimes does so without it sounding disjointed. On the contrary, the chaotic elements within the music are aligned into an intriguing and gradually developing song that continues to fascinate, both in its unpredictable nature and in excellent musicianship. The vocals are fittingly dynamic, ranging from growls to more raspy screeches that often dictate a change in pace and complexity. This also applies to the second song ‘Käärmeet’, although here the band shows a somewhat more grandiose sound that slowly escalates and develops through the frantic drums and threatening base melody. Once again, it’s a showcase of the band’s musical aptitude and creative songwriting that continues to captivate the listener.
Those that appreciate dissonant Black Metal and enjoy the likes of Svartidauði, Sinmara, Wesenwille, Voidescent and so on take heed: ‘Näkyjä Pimeydessä’ is one hell of an exquisitely crafted debut EP. Siimes show some tremendous potential here!
