From Bandcamp, “Zannibal's SAMMALE returns with the project's most ambitious and refined album yet, called "Ikiharmaja (evergrey)." Whilst the focus is more on metal, the rich atmosphere of previous works has not been forgotten. The lyrics are taken from old poems and include themes like the independence of Finland, a funeral scene from the WW1 and Finland's most beloved folk song.” The album has five songs, and “Vapauden Virsi (The Hymn of Freedom)” is first. Following an innocuous and melodic entrance, the aggression kicks off hard. But, they still ride out melodies in the music. It takes a very dark turn after the half-way mark, with firm, heavy riffs and guttural vocals.

“Soitto Soi Suruisasti (Sorrowfully the Music Plays)” begins with haunting piano notes, and then a weighted, Doomy sound enters. The title is very fitting to what the song sounds like. It is still very firm, but Zannibal interweaves delicate melodies into the mix as well. “Karjalan Kunnailla (At the Hills of Karelia)” is much shorter, and more concise, and it gives me feelings of longing to the place where I grew up. I suspect that might be the case for the composer as well. His native tongue singing towards the end puts another stamp on that feeling. “Ruska ja Ahdistus (Autumn and Anxiety)” is also shorter, within some of the epically long pieces on the album, but it exudes power and confidence. It is accompanied by thick, meaty bass notes.

“Kaipuu (Longing)” is the final song. It begins like the fog lifting on a cool morning. It eventually crawls to a depressing sound, as the title suggests. The longing grows inside you, like something foreign that you can’t feel at first, until you become one with it. Overall, this was a solid album, and you have to consider the consistent songwriting efforts out of one composer. The songs had an aggressive bite, but at the same time, were emotional as well. This is definitely something that fans of Black and Doom Metal will enjoy.