Artist; Uhripuu
Country: Finland
Label: Self-released
Formats: Digital demo
Year: 2024
For the ancient inhabitants of Western and Eastern Finland, the Uhripuu was a sacrificial tree where they made sacrifices to either their ancestors or the earth elves and gods who maintain the vitality of nature. Sacrifices included the first grains harvested in autumn, or the first drops of milk in early summer. When a branch of the tree would break, this was considered an omen of death, while felling of such sacrificial trees was believed to curse the perpetrator to become crippled or mentally ill.
With this background on the meaning of the word, it immediately puts the thought behind the band name Uhripuu in perspective. Formed in 2023 by the sole member M.M., the path of the band lef to a demo and EP released in 2023, followed by the most recent demo ‘Jäästä Revitty Maa’ in January 2024. With the title of that latest recording that translates to ‘Earth Torn from Ice’, M.M takes us back to approximately 12000 years ago to tell the tale of the end of the most recent ice age. As the ice receded, the inhabitants of the lands were led to explore the uncovered lands for new ways to survive.
Fiting with the theme of the demo, the Black Metal that Uhripuu plays is one with a strong Pagan undertone. More than on the band’s first demo and EP, the fuzzy and gritty guitar riffs keep the melodies rather subcutaneous and subdued, but that doesn’t take anywaything away from them being memorable. With a predominantly galloping and uptempo approach to the drums, the music has a sense of urgency to it, much like hunters scouring the tundras for prey. The snarling vocals add to this tale, coloring the images brought forth by the music. This is further enahnced by sporadic but effective keyboards, which higlight the more melodious side of the band in for instance’ Lumen ja Hurmeen Kuningatar’. They are even more effective in ‘Kolkko Viima Läpi Kallion Läven’, a song in which M.M.’s adoration of nature shines infinitely more brightly than the occasional loose transition. In other words, Uhripuu brings music straight from the heart without striving for perfection.
While the first demo was much more crude and less refined, and the promising improvement on the subsequent ‘Illankoitto’ EP was dampened by excessive use of the, love it or hate it, mouth harp, ‘Jäästä Revitty Maa’ shows a tremendous progression for Uhripuu. Perhaps not spectacularly diverse or original, the honesty and passion for Finnish nature oozes out of everything on this demo and makes it a highly enjoyable demo. Those that hold Pagan Black Metal and the Finnish Black Metal scene dear would do well to give the band a deserved listen. Certainly a band to keep an eye out going forward!
