AZAGHAL is a black metal band from Finland formed in 1995 however they were under a different name of BELFEGOR but there was another band under the same name from Austria. So the name was changed to AZAGHAL and two members of the band formed the group, NARQATH whose vocalist/bassist/guitarist, certainly a very multi-talented musician to have and then second was KALMA who was their drummer at the very start. After the band’s name change in 1997, they released a few demos in 1998 consecutively and then in 1999 they released their debut album MUSTAMAA. After this they did release a four track EP and then followed up with another album titled HELVETIN YHDEKSÄN PIIRIÄ, as the two albums featured re-recordings of early demo’s the band did before.

By this stage as well, a third member, VARJOHERRA joined in, as he took on lead vocals making the band a trio in 1997. Their second album was also released in 1999 before two more EP releases followed in 2001, the first featuring a few covers but two tracks in addition written by the band. In 2002 their third album was set for release titled OF BEASTS AND VULTURES which featured ten tracks altogether and one cover so another EP followed on in 2003. After this album it should be mentioned that founding drummer KALMA aka V-KHAOZ had taken his leave, their fourth album PERKELEEN LUOMA came in 2004, then fifth album CODEX ANTITHEUS arrived in 2005.

Then three more albums came in 2006 was the sixth album, LUCIFERIN VALO, in 2008 their seventh album OMEGA and then 2009 was their eighth album TERAPHIM. So it is safe to say that the band have been very active and have not been too shy in releasing new material as they went on to release another three albums in the coming years, with NEMESIS in 2012, MADON SANAT in 2015 and VALO POHJOISESTA in 2018. This year now after what is their twelfth album to date now with ALTTARIMME ON LUISTA TEHTY, it is only fitting that their debut album has now been released again as a reissue, now twenty four years on since its original release date. So their debut album begins with “Yhta Yon Kanssa”.

As we hear a mellow guitar intro part with a crescendo building up on the cymbals of the drums and then guitars are quick to release their tension as they gear up for faster and riveting guitar parts with drums coming into the mix again keeping the tempo up. Vocals also do join in after two minutes, as everything is in firing mode, so much energy and drive from the band certainly brings out the dark side, vocals as well as guitars and drums portray the black metal very well. Another slow guitar riff comes later on only to be interrupted by vocals and drums once again, so we head into the next track which is “Mustamaa”, the title is Finnish for the word ‘mordor’ as we hear very much similar characteristics from the previous track.

A quick burst from drums and then guitars are straight in with pulsating riffs as they go on a wild excursion along with vocals creating that sense of insidious and violence throughout the track as the momentum carries on from where the intro track finishes. There is some vocal chanting in the background too, so into the next track we go which is “Kuolema Kristukselle” as this is a Finnish translation of the words ‘death to christ’. Guitars open this track with galloping drums on the path of devastation as vocals continue on the same wavelength as before with words of darkness and misdemeanour also. So we can head straight into the next track which is “De Vermis Mysteriis” as there is more of a calmer mood and atmosphere in this track, the drums slow down with less clanging and guitars also quieten down but still remain very much the mix.

There is a slight transition where the guitars take the front driving seat and drums just support guitar but then back to the sound of the verse, guitar strumming along more regularly as drums do well to allow them and vocals to stand out. So there are more cymbal hits along the way as the track progresses but we can now head into the next track which is “Portinvartija” has a more more boomy and mid range sound level, as drums and guitar are playing well together, as is vocals. It can be heard as well a buildup of some kind of drums at one or two points in this track, so aside from all of this we shall move forward with “Juudas”, as there is fast guitar playing at first with cymbal hits also. Vocals carry on with the same sound as it is sinister as vocals can get so they remain consistent.

As the previous tracks went at least this fifth track has not much more variation aside from the short breakdown for cymbal hits, so we can go on with the next track which is “Kosto”. The title is actually a translation of the word ‘revenge’ as I am sure is how this track portrays that theme, however it is very similar to the last two tracks, in terms of the drums and guitars, vocals also lead the way through. We can also hear humming or amplifier feedback from guitars, which is an interesting plus the transition from a guitar ringing then into a more rhythmic guitar line, drums support as there is more of a smoother drum pattern. Vocals also are in there as we can now move on as we approach the final track, which is “Viimeinen Taistelu”.

The track is a translation of the words ‘the final battle’, so very fitting for the final track as guitar feedback is the opening intro, then drums and guitar are together once more for a clash of the swords in a battle for the spotlight. So of course we are coming to the final closing curtain on this album, as the pulsating rapture of drums and guitars goes on, with vocals adding in some nice texture or tone. Then there is silence but only for guitar to come in with mellow and melodic riff playing, a cymbal being hit softly as a crescendo builds for the closing outro, vocals do join of course. Drums can be heard and then the closure is nigh, so overall a very dark and disturbing sort of black metal, I would have liked to hear more clarity or perhaps some more dynamics but as black metal goes, if you do enjoy some black metal then you check these guys out.