Saattue
Jäähyvästi
7.9
Synopsis:
Yet another high quality, despondent Finnish doom act.
Review:
Imagine if Elegy era Amorphis were reeeeeeeeally sad and throw in some of the typical Finnish somber, layered melodies (Insomnium, Slumber, Rapture, Shape of Despair etc.) and the odd female vocal injection and you would have the full length debut from Saattue, yet another in a long line of superb Finnish doom.
In a year that has already seen a new album from Draconian, and with forthcoming releases from the likes of My Shameful, Remembrance and Mar De Grises, Saattue show the ability to be considered on of the better doom bands with this seven track offering. With a vocal variety that offers a little more than the cavernous growls, Saattue has numerous guest singers with differing vocal deliveries (all in Finnish) with Pasi Koskinen-like croons and growls and the odd complementary female tangent that keeps things varied while the music delivers the expected Finnish mope.
Lengthy songs, deep guitars, delicate synths, some acoustics, layered melodies, moments of heart wrenching grandeur, Saattue deliver it all in spades, and have enough truly depressing, wilting moments that make you think you have been kicked in the soul by god. The title track, “Kaaosmaa” and eleven minute, evocative yet draining closer “Varjojen Saattue” make for an album that’s a must have for fans of any bands mentioned above.
The thing is, as good as Jäähyvästi is, it never really separates itself from the rest of the Finndoom pack, but seems to rely too heavily on that fact and the influence of all those other bands, despite occasional hints at being a bit different and occasionally following a slightly less familiar tone (“Ikiuneen”, “Vieraaseen Multaan”), especially vocally.
Still though, Jäähyvästi is essentially the same sort of opulently depressive album you come to expect from Finland and that sadness can indeed be an enjoyable emotion.
