Name: Kuusumu
Brand: Kuolemanlaakso

Bonus disc

Catalogue number

SVART309LP

Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-08-19

Signed copies

Supplier GB

The Orchard

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

6430077097704

Total Cap

SVART309LPB1

6430077097711

Artist

Kuolemanlaakso

Genre GB

Metal

Label GB

Svart Records

Svart Records is a Finnish label that was established in Turku in 2009. Founded by two individuals, Svart Records specializes in re-releasing underground music on vinyl. With a focus on preserving and promoting unique and lesser-known musical gems, the label has gained recognition for its commitment to quality and authenticity.

One of the notable series curated by Svart Records is Jazz Liisa, which showcases exceptional jazz recordings. Another popular series is Pop-Liisa, which features captivating pop music from various eras. These carefully curated collections offer listeners a chance to explore and rediscover hidden treasures from the past.

With their expertise in vinyl production and their passion for preserving underground music, Svart Records continues to be an authoritative force in the world of e-commerce music platforms. Their dedication to delivering high-quality releases ensures that both collectors and enthusiasts can enjoy rare and extraordinary musical experiences.

Finnish Death Doom spearhead Kuolemanlaakso, starring vocalist Mikko Kotam?ki, are about to release their first album in eight years. The new album Kuusumu was produced by V. Santura, who also took responsibility for producing the band's previous records. In addition to his studio works, Santura is known as the guitarist of Triptykon and Dark Fortress. Kuusumu is the band's fourth full-length album, and it will be out in 2022 via Svart Records.  "The recording pause got unnecessarily long, but there's no rush in doom. It was great to get back to work with the folks and catch up with some good friends as well. Kuusumu's keyboards were played by Aleksi Munter (Swallow the Sun, Insomnium, Ghost Brigade) and Lotta Ruutiainen (Luna Kills) performed female vocals on the album. In my opinion we took many steps forward on Kuusumu", guitarist-songwriter Laakso says.  Kuusumu's texts are loosely based on the sudden global cooling that began in 535, leading to a 10-year winter, loss of crops, mass deaths of cattle and other animals, and famine. Climate change was most likely caused by massive volcanic eruptions, the fog of which darkened the sun for one and a half years, causing intolerable cold. Moreover, the plague pandemic that began in the Byzantine Empire in 541 swept across Europe, killing tens of millions of people during the climate crisis.  "Our previous releases are autumn albums, so this time we decided to make a winter album. I came across the literature about those catastrophic events by chance, and got thoroughly inspired - especially by contemporary stories. It wasn't long until the album material was there already. It's spine-chilling to think that deadly climate change and a pandemic also raged 1,500 years ago when medicine, information flow and living conditions were in their infancy. There was no knowledge about electricity, for example. People imagined that the gods are angry and the darkness is eternal. One way or another, the power of nature should still not be underestimated," says the band's artistic director Laakso.  On Kuusumu, Kuolemanlaakso stretch their artistic boundaries even further. The album contains the familiar slow heaviness, but also more epic, faster and more polished material. The first single Katkeruuden malja, featuring Lotta Ruutiainen, represents the catchier and lighter side of the album.  "Katkeruuden malja draws its inspiration from grief and misery. Musically it trips almost in the landscapes of Tribulation, but with longing, Kalevala-infused and, in my opinion, very Finnish melodies. Regarding singing, Kotam?ki introduces new winds, and Lotta's parts really top it all off. The music video is like a visual extension of the cover art and the album's lyrical themes, " Laakso comments.  The previous Kuolemanlaakso record Tulijoutsen (2014), reached the 10th place on Finland's official album list and was selected as one of the best records of the year on Soundi, Rumba, Kaaoszine and Imper

Kuusumu

Music GB