Karjalan Sissit — ...Want You Dead

Patience is a virtue in the music world. Six years since their last release, Karjalan Sissit is back with their newest, grim slab of rough industrial, ...Want You Dead. Not missing a beat, Karjalan Sissit continue to punish the audience with low, heavy atmospheres, hypnotic, pounding percussion, and harsh, angry vocals. ...Want You Dead may not be far from the truth, either, as the music is unrelenting in its brutality. 74th Cycle/Cyclic Law treats this album well, too, releasing it on CD, ltd LP (w/ Tesco Organization), and ltd cassette (w/ Total Black).

Low, slow synth oscillations make up the backbone of the opener, "Kantapää Lapiossa." The highs that float over the top are soon joined by metallic drums, not unlike those in the theme to Terminator 2. Distant, low, spoken vocals add an unsettling element, before a harsh scream removes all doubt that the listener is in for aural punishment. Atmospheric and showing signs of harshness, "Kantapää Lapiossa" sets the tone for what's to come. Distant, cavelike echoes and rattling shackles are quickly trumped by angry shouts and orchestrated chaos and percussion on "Vittumainen Yksinäisyys." The cinematic backbone is in nice juxtaposition to the harsh, aggressive shouts. "1974" calms down the frenzy with drifting, distant dark ambient fronted by labored whispers. The low, factory floor pounding industrial pics back up on "Firman Isoin Puliukko." Clocking in at over seven minutes, this is the longest track on the album, but uses its time wisely. "Läpi Elämän Helvetin" picks up where "Läpi Elämän Helvetin" left off. Continuing the two twins, Comedy of Errors approach, "Sairaus, Katkeruus, Kuolema" follows up on "1974." The pacing of both pairings works well, and one doesn't get overwrought with either industrial or ambience. Although pretty restrained for its name, "Totaalinen Kaaos" is a solid, cinematic rocker. Coming late in the album, it feels like the climax to a grim, Tetsuo-esque film. Calmly wrapping up the album, "Suga En Kalja O Somna In" revels in its non-reactive ambiance. Not only does this show Karjalan Sissit's talents for keeping it slow, low, and evocative, but it allows the listener a quiet moment to reflect on the near forty minutes that came previously.

Loud and aggressive, but also quiet and reflective, Karjalan Sissit's latest album is a treat for those that love dark ambient and pounding, almost martial industrial. Don't let the ambient bits fool you, though, the force and anger on display can't be denied. ...Want You Dead is a great mix of both and will please any industrial fan worth his salt.