Ruttokosmos — Kärsimys

Existing between the years 2003 and 2007 Ruttokosmos were a three-piece Finnish black metal project, who created an often fuzzed-out, grimly slugging yet at points bleakly melodic take on Dsbm. Here from Werewolf Records is a CD bringing together the projects two demos.

Ruttokosmos meaning Plague Cosmos in Finnish, were formed in 2003 in Kouvola, Kymenlaakso in North-western Finnland. The project brought together Orm- guitar, Kastaja- vocals and bass, and Forgul- drums. Seemingly only Orm had been connected with another BM band, and that was Divina Inferis- who apparently played no-nonsense melodic BM.  Ruttokosmos released just two demos  CDR Ja Minä Näin Kuoleman released in January of 2006, and cassette Kärsimys released in January 2007. 
 
The CD here takes in eleven tracks, featuring all the songs from the demos, and one bonus track. The bands default setting is largely mid-paced, with a blend of decidedly fuzzed-out guitars,  slugging-to-crashing drums, and pained shrieks ‘n’ bays- with riffs that shift between grim tremolo, and slightly more melodic tones. Fitting &  rather adding to the fuzzed-out guitar tone, the production is suitable hazed and static lined, giving the whole thing a very lumbering & numbingly hopeless vibe. The band utilizes some relatively memorable harmonies, as well as of course a well-placed feeling of terminal despair.

There are a few tracks that change pace/ tone from the bands normal setting- there’s “Kylmä Syleily” with its grimly bounding bassline, clean forlorn guitar tones,  and distantly off-key string wailing. Or almost barren jig of “Avautuminen”- which sounds like a slurred & drowsy take on Inquisition, without distortion and topped with black whispered vocals. 

When one thinks of Finnish Black metal, you don’t normally expect Dsbm- so certainly Ruttokosmos were stepping out from what was normal within the scene. And as a Dsbm band in general, Ruttokosmos very fuzzed-out and slugging take on the form is fairly interesting/ distinct. So all that makes this CD release worthy, and it’s great to see Werewolf once more dig deep in Finland’s BM past to uncover the bands work for all to hear.