The Finnish/Dutch band Iku-Turso has been active for about eight years now, and in that relatively short time they’ve managed to build up an impressive discography. With three full-length albums, a live record, several demos, EPs, and splits, this is clearly a band that refuses to slow down and knows how to present itself with confidence and conviction.
Although Finland and the Netherlands are quite far apart both geographically and culturally, Lafawijn (of Salacious Gods and Orewout fame) has been firmly holding the microphone since the very beginning. The same goes for Wolfheart — the band’s second EP this year — where his vocals once again fit perfectly within the icy yet fiery soundscape that defines Iku-Turso.
As with most of the band’s releases, Wolfheart doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Expect raw Finnish Black Metal, laced with subtle Pagan influences that occasionally bring to mind fellow countrymen Moonsorrow, especially when the band joins forces in those powerful choral sections.
The overall sound is fierce, honest, and unpolished in all the right ways — exactly what you want from this kind of band. There’s no sterile overproduction here, just pure and feral energy. The combination of a commanding vocalist and a tight rhythm section makes these tracks hit hard and stay with you. Think Horna, early Satyricon, Goats of Doom, and Havukruunu, and you’ll have a solid idea of what’s coming your way.
The EP closes with a surprisingly convincing cover of Emperor’s “Beyond the Great Vast Forest.” Normally, I’m not much of a fan of covers — I usually prefer that time to be spent on original material — but this version works remarkably well. It feels like a genuine tribute rather than a filler track, blending seamlessly with the rest of the release.
With Wolfheart, Iku-Turso once again proves they belong among Finland’s finest Black Metal acts: raw, blisteringly fast, and as tight as a goatskin stretched over a war drum. This EP shows a band that hasn’t lost an ounce of intensity — in fact, they seem to burn even brighter with every release.
85/100
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