Krucifixion Woods – Krucifixion Woods

Artist: Krucifixion Woods
Country: Finland
Label: River Valley Cult
Formats: Cassette Tape
Year: 2026

While Veitsi has enough punk vibes going on, I think Krucifixion Woods, one of the other bands of M.K., has a way stronger punk connotation. Honestly, I wasn’t really that familiar with this outfit, I missed the initial two demos and only listened to it briefly while reviewing some other Veitsi material in the past, so diving into this first full-length was a way to set that record straight. And, especially after listening to the first song, ‘Verenimijöiden Ja Heidän Vasalliensa Temppeleiden Palaessa’, it is clear that Black/Punk is a more than suitable way to describe the work of Krucifixion Woods.

First things first, when M.K. does anything, you know something about the quality that you’re about to encounter, but also, most of his work is rather short. With Sokeus’ ‘Ekpyrosis’ being the only exception, everything can be considered a short player of sorts, including this self-titled debut album. It might be presented as an album, with only twenty-five minutes it is just as nice and short as an EP, something I can only applaud.

I’ve said it before and will say it again, and perhaps many more times to come, this sort of music (Extreme Metal in general) best comes in small portions to maximize its impact, no energy and lethality go to waste. And that certainly applies to ‘Krucifixion Woods’, or perhaps even more so. The simplicity of the riffs and rhythms will lose their power when there is too much of the same or too much of a good thing. I remember well how I lost myself in the punk singles collection of a school friend’s father; everything was loud and powerful, like a punch in the face.

This sums up what Krucifixion Woods is all about, it combines that unbridled energy of early British punk with the bareboned Black Metal of Ildjarn and its many followers. It reminds me a lot of early Akitsa and Bone Awl, presenting a mixture of styles but in a very stripped down and almost naked version of it. Primitive and lethal, the sense of urgency and the focus on single riffs/notes reveals the strength of simplicity. It might not be very original, but I can’t really imagine that these two guys came together to change the course of history anyway, this is just honest and energetic music with an enticing primal force.