Artist: Hautaveri
Country: Finland
Label: Self-Released
Formats: Digital Demo
Year: 2025
Although it is yet unclear who’s behind this new solo-project, but it is highly unlikely that Hautaveri is this musician’s first attempt of making music. It might not be the demo of the year, but it is abundantly clear that “A Lowly Servant of the Eternal Master” knows his craft and has been around in the Finnish Black Metal scene for at least a good while.
‘Hänen Kylmän Myrskynsä Airut’, which translates to something like ‘Heralds Of His Cold Storm’, is a more than solid exercise in Finnish Black Metal. This project’s rather classic approach of the Black Metal genre, cold and riff-oriented, puts it well in line with the traditional Finnish Black Metal bands. Yet, Hautaveri is no mere copycat and adds quite a bit of its own to the mix. There’s a few attempts of modest Dungeon Synth, but it especially the more folky melodies and riffs that gives the music something special. Take a listen to ‘Vain Kaatunut Sen Tietää’ for instance, especially towards the end the this song gets a triumphant and glorious melody that harkens back to the heydays of Folk-/Viking Metal. It’s maybe because of the greatness of that track that the following ‘Haljennut Kivi Ja Siellä Kiven Sisällä Tikari’ feels a little flat footed and even somewhat directionless. But even with a few points of criticism, this first 30-minute demo remains very enjoyable for anyone who digs that trademark Finnish melancholy.
