Ajattara

Ajattara's main claim to fame, at least for the moment, is the fact that they are led by (now former) Amorphis frontman Pasi Koskinen, here going under the pseudonym Ruoja. This sounds nothing like Amorphis, and though black metal based, it doesn't sound like the typical black metal bands making the rounds. The focus here is on slow to mid-paced riffing and a general moodiness that is quite effective. Though this doesn't sound particularly like anyone else, a reasonable starting reference point might be mid-period epic Bathory, minus the Viking influences and adding spacey atmospheric keyboards (plus vocals entirely sung in Finnish). On the down side, some of the songs sound rather similar, and there isn't a lot of variance in pace. But the upside is stronger, as the haunting moods that pervade throughout make this a great listen.