Active since 2008, SERPENT ASCENDING is the solo project of Jarno Nurmi, a musician with a past in DESECRESY, SLUGATHOR, NERLICH and other Finnish Death Metal bands. SERPENT ASCENDING has always been Nurmi's personal probe to sink into the esoteric and the occult, and on the new album "Hyperborean Folklore" it is used to plumb Fennoscandian mythologies, drawing on fascinating poems from Kalevala and other ancient texts for the lyrics. The album contains four tracks.

"Growth of the Soul" is the first cut. From the start, the marching beat in the drums and the vocals are unique. It would be hard to classify this as Black or Death Metal. The vocals are whispered and downtrodden sounds in the music roll in and blanket the listener with various shades of grey. When the pace quickens around the half-way mark, it more closely resembles Black Metal. Meaty bass notes keep a constant presence as well. The title track is a bit darker and more complicated in scope. The vocal style is again pretty unique and there are elements of Progressive and Post Metal present, but the melancholy nature of the music is perhaps the most striking of all of the elements. Hell is unleashed at the half-way point, with harsh vocals and a more aggressive sound. This more vicious approach is marked by timing shifts.

"Stallus Hideout" is another unique offering. A slow and steady pace opens the song in what I can only describe as the definition of Hell: repetitiveness. Peer down into the abyss, and you will see tortured souls repeating the same tasks again and again without rest in between. This is hell, indeed. This song also has a Psychedelic twist buried somewhere in there. Ride out the sound, and it will eventually take effect. "Skaði's Longing for the Mountains - Njorðr's Desire of the Sea" closes the album, and like the other songs, is a bit of a mystery. Doleful and depressing tones reign here in this track, combined with bleak and harsh vocals. The final four minutes are dialed back to atmospheric tones, and trippy harmonized leads, as he leaves you with your thoughts.

In case you weren't already aware, I,Voidhanger Records has some of the most creative and unusual artists on their roster. Some have been misses in the past, but most are right on. This is one of the more unique artists that I have heard from them, and I appreciate the chance to climb into Jarno's mind for a few songs just to have an idea of what is in there when he writes music. It remains a mystery, but a deeply personal one. If you are looking for something off the beaten path, give this album a listen.