ONE FROM THE NORTH (O.F.T.N.) is a solo project that was started in 2015 by one man by name of MCKEENAN as he is the man who composes all the music as he comes from Finland with a vision of "writing songs which combined electronic and metal music - with the idea to make something entirely different". We don't often get a one band, well certainly none of those specialize in industrial music like O.F.T.N. do so well, but also blended with alternative metal elements also as this one man band released their first album in 2018 which was titled DARKER TIMES. This first album was very much a mix of electronic elements plus some acoustic sounds as well as alternative influences so certainly a great starting point for O.F.T.N. as they received a lot of praise and positive reviews on what McKeenan created.

McKeenan himself has been heavily influenced by the likes of KORN, DIMMU BORGIR, RAMMSTEIN, IN FLAMES, IMMORTAL, DEPECHE MODE and even MARILYN MANSON. He doesn't hesitate in trying different ideas for each of his two releases as they are very different to each other and have their own identity, as he went on to release his second album which was titled THROUGH THE GREY STONE TO RAVAGE. This also made a good impression for McKeenan and continued on his success from his debut album so that now it has been a year or two since that album came out, there is now a new album out this year which is titled REGIME, SALVATION & THE PYRE.So let's take a good look into the the new album under the microscope as it were, starting with the intro track which is "Church Burner".

This very first track begins with an arpeggio of synth sound effects or keyboard perhaps with cymbal hits plus a melodic line building up on a crescendo as vocals enter the fore, as they take on a black metal approach which is so mean and vicious. A slight pause for vocals to come in as they are brighter as they are layered on top of sound effects and drums as well, as the industrial background is in motion. There is a thumping kick going on as well as vocals belting out contrasting words in a melodic and sinister way as the album is off to a great starting point giving the listener what they have heard before in previous releases by O.F.T.N. So we can now move into the next track which is "Menial" which comes with guitar riffs which we hadn't heard in the first track so that is the new element.

The harsh and cruel vocals are in there again but the melodic vocals also come back in balance out the mix as guitars play a bigger part in this track than the previous track, plus there are additional drum hits hovering in the background. The ominous vocals are so good to listen to as they are full of tone and depth as well, as the track repeats the previous section with all elements, as well as a choral chants which are quiet and not as audible but works well as we head into the next track which is "Despised By Love". The third track opens with such electronica beats and guitars come in too, as vocals are coming and going, but everything is so well portrayed as the industrial sound is so well produced in this track. Even the vocals have their part with the electronic sounds as they quiet down but then drums queue the vocals back in again.

Vocals speak of very meaningful themes as there is so much to listen to and there is certainly a cool influence of DEPECHE MODE like ideas here for certain but anyway let's linger for too long. We go into the next track which is "Regime, Salvation & The Pyre" opening similarly to the previous track with lower toned electronic sounds and then a crushing drum backbeat is swiftly moving in for the kill then a mellow guitar tone can also be heard flowing the rhythm of track along the way very smoothly. Vocals turn nasty and then the drums do respond with a quick crescendo as the electronic sounds are mixed up with lower and higher notes being played. Guitar becomes aggressive in its own way and is mesmerising as it really stands out, before vocals return again as all elements are in play once more with clattering drum hits.

We hear a very optimistic ending in this track as we go on into the next track which is "Self-Deception" as vocals and electronic effects are in first with a percussive tempo also rising from the ashes of the previous track, a short intermission then before we go quickly into the next track which is "A Slave To Self-Deception". Guitars are literally on the right path as they dominate with drum beats also playing along with vocals as they are also commanding the track as vocals are back to the black metal way of thinking which is so appealing and controlled as well. Guitar has its moments with some vibrato and then a build up once more in a crescendo of drum beats quickening as all elements are in play once more of a full unison.

"Blood Covered Pidgeon" opens with guitar and drum beats filling in the space around them and then vocals come in as drums slip into a more lo-fi sound as they do come back in full force for vocals to lead the way through with confidence and bouts of energy. Halfway through the track we hear solo guitar playing a somber and mellow tone as the black metal vocals come marching in as guitar does lead a full unison at one point. The track merely has so much we can hear as the same ideas of themes are repeated so now we can move onto the next track which is "Pariah Of Reality/King Of Fantasy". The eighth track has more brightness with piano sound mixed with electronic drum beats most likely and then vocals have the lead narrative guiding their way through this track.

There is somewhat a more upbeat and techno rhythm to this track as it has a lot of electronic based elements with guitar in there playing quietly, just in the background but the other elements remain in control of the track's pathway. The guitar has its moments of glory with victorious vibrato and vocals even have their mix of clean vocals but also the more assertive vocal line which makes an appearance once more. Now going into the next track "Silence Of Me" as there is another ascending techno dance beat then there is a bass heavy tone in guitar certainly more depth and projection, the maddening vocals are in making their presence known and cut through the mix of this track.

So this is very much the continuation of the electronic side to this album and vocals plus guitar add so much colourization and tonality to the track. However now we can go onto the final track which is "Under The White Phosphorus Rain" as we come to the final frontier of this astounding album, which has certainly taken us into the dark side of what the composer has been producing in the previous two albums. A slow but punch drum pattern goes well with the high end guitar notation, as vocals whisper at the verse and then speak out more in the chorus section which is very appropriate. Guitar has its own calling with a short time to let itself loose and then the black metal vocal line returns.

So overall a very good album, I haven't reviewed an industrial metal artist before but I can say I am impressed, as the themes of the album are clear with electronic forces mixed with black metal style vocals is such an interesting style of composition. I can only but bow to the composer and say that this album is fantastic, his previous albums have also paid off, so very well done and I look forward to hearing more from ONE FROM THE NORTH.