Fresh fish are swimming in the dark oceans of Black Metal and they are Finland's KYY. Formed only a few years ago, the hidden identities of KYY's lineup make it hard to say how long anyone in the band has been writing Black Metal music or have any street credit to any of the members. It's possible to say that the makeup of KYY are fresh-faced virgins to the genre. Of course I don't mean literal virgins but that is still equally as mysterious as their identities! All jokes aside, the only words given to us about this album are, "God's womb leaking ash and urine. The grey and golden heavens. Hope. Immortality. Travesty of light." So with these cryptic words, let us precede to discuss "Travesty of Light", the album that begs the question: are you still a virgin if you have performed on a dead body?

On songs like "Death - The Great Liberator", the guitars of E.V. and M.P. assume the roles of rhythm and lead like the dual forces of evil and darkness. They sound very similar to how TAAKE levels their two guitar players together. But KYY has a much more polished, professional touch to that signature tone so KYY does not sound all that crusty and raw. There are other aspects to the production of this EP. The drums are leveled respectably on the record's title track "Travesty of Light", with the brass cymbals not sounding as claustrophobic but more spacious. The bass drums in particular sound very clear and pronounced.

But production quality alone cannot redeem an album sometimes. For "Travesty of Light", it's just more of the same old, same old. Nothing new or innovative is being brought to the table. The songs are instantly forgettable as the harmonic minor melodies get lost in the clear memory because of the mass amounts of Black Metal that I have heard. Nothing differentiates KYY from the middle spectrum of quality for artists that play Black Metal.

I won't be jumping to any conclusions as to whether this band is comprised of posers or not. But I still just don't know if KYY strives to reach a listener audience outside of the alcoholic, knuckle-draggers that will listen to any band that wears a spiked gauntlet on their forearm. This band isn't even gimmicky enough to be mildly worthy of my attention. To some degree, listening to BABY METAL is more helpful at expanding your musical appreciation than listening to "Travesty of Light".

Ultimately, this record is a huge dud. Totally not a bad-sounding record and the musicianship is well put together but still, there was nothing about "Travesty of Light" that was memorable or spectacular. I don't think the young band is trying nearly hard enough to keep up with some of the veterans of the genre. Compared to the rest of the new comers of the genre, unlike KYY, they have shown that they can bring something new and fascinating to the sound, aesthetic or culture of Black Metal. I do not recommend giving this album a listen unless you are just ravenous for new Black Metal. In that case, I am not going to stop you.