VOLUCRINE was formed back within the year of 2014 within the small city of Kouvola in southern region Kymenlaakso of Finland. Starting out as an independent band with a focus on life and the human experience, they were able to independently release their first EP that same year. Following this, they released a number of singles, two full length albums and another EP. All independently. Over the years they built a solid following and soon got the attention of the label Inverse Records of Finland, where they released “ETNA” on February 16, 2024. This album is 46:55 minutes in length with ten solid tracks. As one who would normally not listen to this nor have heard of them, I am intrigued and will get right into it.

At first glance this album art is different. In a good way though as it's not the basic art you would expect from a death metal band. No, this is something unique. What looks like some form of crystal or clear quartz on a black backdrop formulate the outer edges that cluster into rose quartz. The Rose quartz are piled in a way that forms a skull. Their band's name and the album name are placed in the bottom right corner. I don't know why but I actually really like this. The unique creative aspect to this and given the unique name for the album, it fits. For those who do not know, there is Mount Etna in Sicily that also is an active volcano. Okay, I could be wrong here, but it almost sounded like a muted they started the song with a muted filtered guitar as “Jupe Velin” screams some harsh vocals before it clears into a barrage of intense chord progression and well timed intricate drumming. “Riptide” has such a dynamic and different start that leads into a sound that hits you hard. So far I am impressed. From the clean to the raspy vocals and low growls, their use of stereo mixing and overall chord progression is very impressive.

“Scarred Earth” Is a fantastic display of fusion between metalcore, Nu metal and putting a solid progressive tinge on the tone that really creates a dynamic track. With powerful vocals that remind me of LINKIN PARK at times which diverge into these melodic clean vocals to really drive home the track. A solid bass, low tuned guitar and well timed drums, this song is well thought out and crafted with finesse. Some really nicely structured breakdowns as well that build into more amazing vocals. “Pyroclastic” begins with the tribalistic drumming of what sounds like bongo drums, echoing a simple rhythm with some interesting background atmospheric elements. This soon fades into some nice drum rolls and heavy bass kicking before a progressive guitar tunes in formulating a decent melody. The entirety of the track is instrumental only and short but very well crafted.

“ETNA” is a uniquely crafted album that has been mixed and mastered flawlessly. With the low tones and dynamic vocals and intricate drumming progressive chord progression, this album has so many elements that meld together seamlessly. Believe it or not, I hear elements of WEDNESDAY 13, TOOL, LINKIN PARK within some of the tracks, From how they are structured and through the dynamics of the vocals. I can even hear influences of KORN as well having that thick bass groove undertone. With the influences that these guys have, they manage to add their own flair and fingerprint which further brings their sound together in a progressive way. One amazing thing I have noticed is that each song has a solid and dynamic structure. No one track starts the same and each ties into the following smoothly. 

Closing out the album is a very impressive track. “Escapist” that hits you fast with low growls and builds into some progressive chords. With a pleasant melodic riff before a solid breakdown that shreds into some more clean vocals and flows into some raspy and deep vocals that seem to set the tone. This Track is well crafted. Near the end, the track slows down into classical guitar and soft clean vocals before ending. I would recommend that you at least pick this album up and try it. It has such a unique sound as VOLUCRINE drives home their progressive and melodic take on death metal. With such great influences and how they structured their own sound around it, you cannot help but respect what these guys did. This is just a fantastic album.