Sorry State nails it again with Finland’s VALTATYHJIÖ, a band who embrace their home country’s rich history of metal and punk music and make it their own on their Kuristusleikki EP. Starting things off at full speed with a straight-forward d-beat crusher, the title track sets the tone of the EP, laying a foundation of evil raw punk that they build upon as the record progresses. On second track “Petoksen Messias” they work up to an explosion of double bass drums and wailing guitars, heading into a markedly metal direction. Next up “Viilto Kerrallaan” continues the metal trajectory, now sounding more akin to the rock’n’roll of NWOBHM bands like VENOM and MOTORHEAD. Finally the band ends on the scorched earth of “Riite”, a song that sounds like VALTATYHJIÖ evolving into their final form, a full mutation that’s equal parts CELTIC FROST and ANTI-CIMEX. This EP is a whole-ass journey seeing VALTATYHJIÖ evolve from straight Käng to unholy raw MetalPunk and I’m here for every leg of the trip! If you’re into classic NWOBHM and current demons like PARANOID or SALVAJE PUNK this one is for you.
