Demo 2004

Rautavaris is an obscure Finnish band, nominally black metal, but on this demo, the stylistic differences to the established classics of the aforementioned genre, as well as the most common variations, are worth noting. While the demo does feature some passages of nearly archetypical classic black metal riffing and rhythm (dark tremolo riffs and blastbeats), there are many passages that would never sound like black metal if it wasn’t for the moderately raw, sharp production and raspy mid-pitched screams. This “Demo 2004” clashes with the conventions of black metal especially in its quirky tonal character. Generally, black metal bands whose melodic aesthetics differ from the usual dark, grim and foreboding supplement the lack of aggressive moods with melancholy, psychedelia, or alien genre influences. Rautavaris indeed isn’t extremely hateful, but though it is melodic, it’s also not excessively friendly. It’s also not quite as grim as certain other bands that somewhat approach the style heard on this demo, such as Perisynti, but it certainly lacks the mellifluous emotivity of Mustan Kuun Lapset, for example, who dabbled in somewhat similar territories at one point in their career.

“Ennen Vihaa Syntyneet” offers strange, grim melodies in abundance, delivered with pummeling rhythms and maddened atmosphere. “Valon Polku” offers a more plaintive and tranquil soundscape with its slower tempo, beautiful lead guitar harmonies and powerfully wistful atmosphere. The sorrowful riffing also takes turns for more hopeful moods via variations in the lead guitar counterpoints, which is not only an interesting effect, but also something that frequently fails completely in metal compositions, whereas here it brings delightful variety to the atmosphere and depth to the song’s emotional expression (so, a tip of the hat for making it work!). The third song “Sarastus” begins with synth and guitars somewhat reminiscent of Summoning, but the signature Finnish sorrowful melodic riffing sets it quite clearly apart from Summoning’s sweeping epics. A closer comparison could be found from Coldworld, perhaps, although Rautavaris again manages to maintain a credible sense of grimness in their music despite prominent melodies and melancholy emotivity.

The demo does become increasingly mellow towards the end, and it would’ve required another dynamic, vehement song in order to maintain perfect balance of atmospheres on the album. The slightly insane, panicking atmosphere in “Ennen Vihaa Syntyneet” is quite brilliant, and the demo would’ve benefitted from further indulgence in such unique territories, rather than merely settling for the tried-and-true – regardless, Rautavaris’s “Demo 2004” definitely works, and is absolutely recommended to those seeking the different ends of Finnish black metal’s stylistical spectrum.