The world is a wide and large place with so many different people doing so many different things to bring something interesting into the world of metal music, and it’s the land of Scandinavia that we can always rely on for consistent quality and results. Their contributions to metal have been virtually second to none, and the excellence refuses to end as tonight when I sought out some much needed black metal, Finland happily offered yet another act in the form of Goatskullt with their new EP that’s precisely what I was looking for.

It’s more often than not when I hear some straight black metal that doesn’t fuck around with any sort of atmosphere or gimmick that it’s just a brutal barrage of speed and aggression with a voracious edge that’s arguably second to none in how scathing it can become. Mork is easily the latest band that I’ve come across that incorporates riffs into the mix with resounding success as they don’t trip themselves up or lose a single ounce of their power, and it’s not with Goatskullt and “Kinahmia” that I can finally sink my teeth into yet another example of black metal riffage that I just don’t see enough of anymore. WIth an ominous intro that subtlely works its way underneath your skin, Goatskullt wastes no time as they use the remaining five tracks to burst forth with immense power fueled by the aforementioned riffage and melodies that make the material all but intoxicating. It marches forth with real purpose to destroy and dominate with a slow burn that stings like hell as there isn’t a part of “Kinahmia” that isn’t hammered home wondrously as this small and obscure act shows us that they’re clearly capable of much more, and we constantly see it on display at every turn albeit not at its full potential.

It’s so very often that I hear a new band and want to say that I can see them having a bright future if they could just work for it, but it’s with Goatskullt in particular that we can hear the greatness. It’s all there already! It’s all magnificent, just needs some minor tweaking, and with a breath of fresh creative air, I’m positive that Goatskullt could create a more than worthy to the glory that is “Kinahmia” with absolute ease.

LISTEN to “Kinahmia” on Bandcamp here.