CoC : Finnugor - Black Flames : Review

Finnugor - _Black Flames_
(Oaken Shield / Adipocere, 2002)
by: Quentin Kalis (5 out of 10)

Finnugor describe themselves as symphonic black metal, but even those who think Cradle of Filth is what black metal really sounds like will have difficulty considering Finnugor as black metal. In reality, they sound more like a lite version of Tristania. Growling vocals, blastbeats and suitably "evil" lyrics (running the gamut of metal topics from contemplations of a psychopath's thoughts through to Immortal-esque Scandinavian weather reports) are all present. However, the subordination of the guitars to the heavy (over)use of keyboards and Andrew Eldritch-esque (Sisters of Mercy) vocals, plus the overwhelming gothic atmosphere, suggest that this CD would be better suited to the gothic section of your local CD store. Even the growls sometimes sound as if they were tossed in just to remind people that this is a metal release. This will be a hard album to market, as metalheads will hate the incessant gothic touch, while any interested goths will most likely be deterred by the death growls.

(article published 16/4/2003)

ALBUMS
14/3/2004	P Azevedo	2	Finnugor - Death Before Dawn