The Finnish melodic death metal scene has long been fertile ground for creativity, and HAGALAS latest release, “Mentes Reae“, released on May 31st, 2024, via Inverse Records is a powerful statement that solidifies their place within the genre. Emerging from Jyväskylä, this quintet delivers a concept-driven record that dives deep into the harrowing landscapes of human mental struggle, steeped in themes of psychological turmoil, abuse, and the endless search for meaning.
The album opens with the instrumental “Mens Rea,” a haunting, atmospheric prelude driven by cinematic keys and brooding guitar textures that immediately establish a dark, foreboding mood. It bleeds seamlessly into “Meta Self,” where razor-sharp riffs and relentless drumming collide in an explosive attack on the hedonism and egocentrism of social media culture. Here, as on many tracks that follow, HAGALAS inject dynamic twists that cut through the aggression with sudden bursts of ear-pleasing melody, adding contrast and keeping the listener on edge.
The urgency carries into “Hope Is a Lie,” perhaps the record’s most immediate track, built on a surging chorus and powerful riffing that make its themes of misery, fate, and futility hit with both emotional and musical weight. “Succession” pushes forward with galloping rhythms and soaring guitar harmonies, its momentum echoing the ruthless ambition it portrays, but even here the band cleverly disrupts the main groove with melodic flourishes that offer a brief respite before plunging back into chaos.
At the midpoint, the towering “Remembrance Fades” stands as the album’s emotional centerpiece, combining melancholic motifs with dynamic crescendos that swell into a breathtaking reflection on mortality. From there, “Insanity Hubris” begins gently, almost acoustically, gradually building with powerful yet melodic riffs that maintain a sense of underlying calm. As the track progresses, the vocals shift into a violent, aggressive delivery, contrasting with the melodic instrumentation while remaining deeply expressive, capturing the turmoil and chaos at the heart of the song.
The crushing “Domesticated Violence” delivers suffocating grooves and jagged rhythms that mirror the harrowing trauma at its core, while “Derelict” fast paced track lean on atmosphere, weaving dissonant chords and moody passages into a meditation on denial and awakening. Finally, “Reprisal Scars” closes the record in devastating fashion, balancing visceral aggression with melodic depth as it recounts betrayal at the hands of someone once trusted, leaving the listener suspended between catharsis and ruin.
The twin guitar work of Antti Huovila and JM Helenius adds equal weight to the narrative, moving fluidly between razor-sharp riffs and melancholic harmonies. Songs such as “Succession” and “Insanity Hubris” embody this duality, balancing chaos with moments of haunting beauty, while also delivering climactic passages that echo the intensity of the lyrical themes. Meanwhile, the rhythm section, Ville Uimi on bass and Teemu Kankainen on drums, grounds the record with tight grooves and relentless drive. Kankainen’s blast beats and double-bass flurries propel tracks like “Meta Self” into overdrive, while Uimi’s basslines lend an ominous undercurrent that enriches the overall atmosphere.
Ultimately, “Mentes Reae” stands as a formidable exploration of psychological darkness through a melodic death metal lens. Its poignant lyricism and meticulous instrumentation converge into an experience that is as cathartic as it is crushing. For fans of the genre, this is a release that demands not just to be heard, but absorbed, an uncompromising look into the frailty of the human condition, framed by one of Finland’s most promising voices in the scene.
Written by Peter Jerman
Tracklist
- Mens Rea
- Metaself
- Hope Is A Lie
- Succession
- Remembrance Fades
- Insanity Hubris
- Domesticated Violence
- Derelict
- Reprisal Scars
Lineup
Kalle Korhonen – vocals
Antti Huovila – guitar
JM Helenius – guitar
Ville Uimi – bass
Teemu Kankainen – drums
Label
Inverse Records
