The Finnish band Sarastus first emerged in 2014 and has since steadily forged a distinctive sound within traditional Black Metal. Over the years, however, the line-up has evolved, and Sarastus can no longer be considered a fully Finnish entity. Since 2022, the band’s vocals have been handled by none other than our very own Galgenvot, a name many will recognize from projects such as Nevel, Wrang, and Weltschmerz. With his signature, frostbitten vocals, he brings a new dimension to Sarastus’ already biting sound.
After the split with Goats of Doom, things went quiet for a while, leading some to wonder whether Sarastus was still active. Behind the scenes, however, a transformation was underway. Founding member Dusk, originally the drummer, laid down his sticks and took over guitar and bass duties, while Finnish musician Anzillu – known from acts like Iku-Turso – stepped in behind the drum kit. This shift in personnel marked a new chapter for the band, one that saw them explore musical territory beyond the raw, straightforward path of the Finnish Black Metal tradition.
The result is their third full-length, which, after a period of relative silence, finally sees the light of day. While their roots remain deeply planted in classic Black Metal, the sound of Sarastus in its current form has clearly evolved. The songs take on a more atmospheric approach, without sacrificing intensity. The melodies have grown broader, the structures more layered, yet the speed and fury that always defined Sarastus are still very much present—perhaps more so than ever.
This album is not merely a continuation of the past, but a rebirth with an international edge. Sarastus proves that traditional Black Metal can still adopt new shapes without losing its core: cold, uncompromising, and straight from the shadowy depths of the North.
Production-wise, this third album hits all the right marks. The sound is aggressive and raw, just the way we like it from the Finnish scene—uncompromising, direct, and stripped of unnecessary polish. The guitars carry that grainy edge that makes the cold almost tangible, and the mix is clear enough to let all the layers shine through, without losing the gritty intensity that makes this style so effective.
Galgenvot’s vocals are an immediate standout—more accurately, an aural assault. His voice cuts through the mix like a hot knife through butter, with a slicing intensity that grabs you by the throat from the very first second. His performance feels both narrative and maledictive, adding an extra layer of frost to Sarastus’ already glacial soundscape.
The guitar work is fast, razor-sharp, and dripping with melody. At times, a subtle folkloric touch emerges in the riff structures, offering tasteful variation without softening the overall impact. These melodic lines act as a kind of glue, binding Anzillu’s furious drumming and the underlying bass together into a cohesive whole.
The end result is an album that stays true to the band’s foundations while also showcasing their growth and willingness to push forward. Sarastus in 2025 is sharp, melodic, and brimming with icy conviction.
85/100
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