Elsewhere this week I described the rational why Nihilistinen Barbaarisuus made it into my review queue. While Vainamoinen EP is a precursor of things to come, Synkka Tuuli is the realm from where the band originated. While both strive for atmospherics niche in black metal, Synkka Tuuli also has a definite punk angle to it, and those moments actually made it the more interesting of the two releases for me. There is aggressive thrash punk emanating from Ylittaen Jaatyneen Pohjoisen, Parts 1 and 2. The melodic progression may be primitive, but it is extremely catchy, especially so on Part 2. It is there, in those instances when Nihilistinen Barbaarisuus does not hide behind atmospheric synth, that they remind me a bit of early Horna and Sargeist. It pays off, in my mind anyway, to be bold and primitive, to deliver simple hooks, rather than to dissolve compositions like Part 2 into nothingness filled atmospherics. Could the lack of an idea of what to do next be behind the need to bring out the endless frozen synth? Anhedonia stays punky throughout, but it does not have the hook of Part 2, although it still reaches the trance state. Title track has a cool riff which attempts to combine punk and synth squeals in one, thereby creating one hot mess which is still better than just playing synth notes alone, like what Arktinen Valisoitto does. The cool riff in the title track brings levity, but at 7’ min long it does stagnate somewhere midway. Brooding Ketamiini feels a lot more akin to guitar tuning, but Itameri Anomalia shows that nice interplay of acoustic guitar and piano can result in excellent melody by the band.

If the upcoming full length manages to focus on better, stronger riffs, with an occasional nod to an atmospheric moment, Nihilistinen Barbaarisuus will manage to be primitive and uplifting at the same time, something I feel they are trying to pull off on Synkka Tuuli, with success coming to them on occasion