Ajattara - Tyhjyys

*=Staff's pick	Intro Sortajan Kaipuu* Katumuksen Kyinen Koura* Naaras Armon Arvet* Pahan Tuoma Harhojen Renki* Langennut Uhrit* Tyhiyydestä* Outro

Genre	Epic Black Metal	Ruoja	Vocals
Tracks	11	Ruoja	Guitar
Runningtime	36 Min.	-	Guitar
Label	Spikefarm Records	Atoni	Bass
Release	13 Oct. 2004	Malakias III	Drums
Country	Finland	Ruoja	Keyboards
Similar artists	---

Finnish Ajattara strike us with their third full-length album, simply called Tyhjyys, which is finnish for 'emptiness'. A very misguiding name on this one, if you ask me. Tyhjyys are about the kind of music you seldom hear; think in the direction of Samael's Ceremony Of Opposites, but more depressing and slower. It's hard to describe the feeling that Ajattara summons, but this is very dark and epic. Almost doom sometimes together with kind of traditional but slow screaming black metal vocals.

Fans of the keyboard in black metal will perhaps like this, but this time the instrument is used in other ways than the traditional orchestral way, if you know what I mean. Instead of various weird melodies as it to often tend to be, the keyboard stands for a massive sound wall. That fits perfect with the down tuned guitars and the result is very heavy and pounding metal absolutely free from positive vibes. Something out of the ordinary in the scene of today. Ajjatara's music feels old and dusty, cold and very naked in its shape. But it's also in a way very fresh and creative. It feels like a very serious and long journey into the dark realms of angst; just listen to the Sortajan Kaipuu. Well sounding tunes of sorrow without being annoying or over ambitious. It sounds very honest, I think. And it continues with the mighty Katumuksen Kyinen Koura. My biggest problem concerning this album aren't Ajattara's fault, it's my own. Namely my modest knowledge in the Finnish language. The great vocals from the bands front man Ruoja gives the music a personal touch. The arrangements are well planned and performed in order to left the listener serious wandering.

My judgement and final grade on this album would be higher if it weren't for some songs that feel like they are just there for the running time of the album, filling the missing parts. Otherwise this album is great in many ways. Tyhjyys guides the listener into the inner maze of the deepest and darkest mind.