Review by Transmontanus
Verikaste – Verenvirta (EP)
Record Label: Independent
Year: 2025
Rating: 7/10
Finland is well-known for its quality Black Metal, so whenever new artists pop up, Black Metal fans carefully observe, analysing every bit of its content, dissecting its words and its melodies. It is, in a way, our elitist facet; either we accept it or not. Truth be told, we are all conscious that some countries have a certain level of quality, hence why we all get immensely hyped whenever a new release comes out. With that, let us move forward to a new Finn entity, a new Black Metal project/band/artist: Verikaste (Baptism of Blood). Its release, “Verenvirta” (“Blood Flow”), is a 5-track EP, released in July of 2025, where you hear ferocious Black Metal with that melodic facet. Well, it is what the Finns do: a fusion of melody and aggressiveness.
Verikaste
I do sense a sort of groovy element to it in certain tracks. “Tuhat Ruumista” has one hell of a Rock n’ Roll soul! It slaps the listener from the get-go, and it punishes you throughout the track, from top to bottom! Track 2, “Valheen Siemenet”, is more the classical Black Metal approach, more standard in structure, all while maintaining that Rock n’ Punk posture. Well, not Black Punk in sound, but in charisma, from my perspective at least. I love said posture, said approach to music: my way, my rules. Although one might sense differentiated melodies, the band remains true to the Black Metal sound, especially in its Finnish approach to playing.
“Synkkä Virta” does divert a bit and adopts a darker sound, perhaps? A less cheerful, more abrasive approach. I love the more melodic riffs, as they give the music dynamics and show the band’s diversity. Afterwards, a moment of peace and calm… only to get ravaged as the EP comes to an end. Carpathian Forest mode on? Horna, as well. Back to what we were gifted as we initially pressed PLAY. Pleasant, although I do not feel it is “my Black Metal”, d’you know what I mean?
Overall, a very interesting presentation EP that will, it probably has, given when it was released and the time this review will go live, conquer plenty of fans and take the band’s name far and wide.