Have you ever heard of KITUMA? In case your answer is a resounding “no,” please allow me to introduce this melodeath band and their debut album – “Sin Nomine.” The band began their journey in 2020 and hails from Oulu, Finland. The current lineup consists of Markus Jussila (guitars, vocals), Mika Heiskanen (bass), Sami Heiskanen (drums), and Jaakko Tervo (vocals). Since 2020, they have released nine EPs, and now, the band is releasing their debut full-length album featuring nine tracks. It’s worth noting that KITUMA is an independent band, and their lyrics are exclusively written in Finnish. This linguistic choice contributes to their unique melody. Even if you don’t understand the meaning of each word, you can sense the real message through the fusion of words and notes. Linguistics can explain this theory in more detail. “Sin Nomine” will become available on October 27th, 2023, and in case you are also interested in getting a physical copy of the album, there will be 100 prints only, so my suggestion is to grab one as quickly as possible.
The album kicks off with “Raunio,” which blends the perfect balance of clean and harsh vocals, with the melody mirroring the vocals and featuring breakdowns and smooth keyboard elements. The chorus carries a slightly musical tone that reminded me of FEJD. Following that, “Menetetty totuus” takes a completely different approach. The song begins rather calmly, almost like a ballad, and then undergoes a shift. This alternation adds depth to the song, immersing the listener in an auditory experience.
My favorite track on the album is “Varjopuoli.” The vocals take center stage simultaneously, making me wonder if the lyrics are telling two sides of the same story. The song boasts a captivating chorus that invites you to sing along with the right words. The fourth track, “Kaiken antaisin,” showcases the band’s musical range, incorporating acoustic elements to create an epic atmosphere. While this song stands out within the album, it’s a gem that will appeal to metal listeners regardless of their preferred subgenre. It’s a powerful track and an excellent choice to introduce the band to new fans.
“Raha ja valta” bursts forth with a raging riff, following on naturally from the previous track. It’s almost as if the storyline is connected, with the protagonist possibly taking a wrong turn. I’m not entirely sure if I can trust these automated translation engines, so I can’t say for sure, but I do have a vivid image of this tale in my mind.
As a die-hard fan of how a song can be instantly captivating, especially when it starts with a powerful piano intro, “Syytetty” hits the mark. The song features more extreme bridges and seamlessly transitions into the following track, “Surunsanoittaja.” The backing chorus adds a graceful touch, enhancing the overall flavor of the song. “Tuhka” brings back the melodic tone that the album has been embracing, leading to the final song, “Jäljet.” Clean vocals take the spotlight, and the melody flows softly, like a drizzle, concluding the album with a deep, resonant piano note.
KITUMA has presented a powerhouse of an album, further reinforcing how the Finnish metal scene consistently delivers outstanding music. I’m definitely looking forward to what lies ahead and will keep an eye out for their future releases and tours. I strongly recommend that you do the same.
Tracklist
- Raunio
- Menetetty totuus
- Varjopuoli
- Kaiken antaisin
- Raha ja valta
- Syytetty
- Surunsanoittaja
- Tuhka
- Jäljet
Lineup
- Markus Jussila – Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Drum programming, Production
- Mika Heiskanen – Bass
- Sami Heiskanen – Drums
- Jaakko Tervo – Vocals
Label
Independent band
