Finnish Stoner/Doom Band Onkalo Releases Second EP, "Toinen"
Onkalo (Finnish for "cavity" or "hollow") is a Finnish stoner/doom band that got their start just last year, but the trio has already released two EPs: a self-titled release in May 2023 and their most recent, Toinen, on Christmas Day.
These guys are the masters of DIY, as many underground bands are. For example, they draw their own artwork and print their own band t-shirts with a friend's textile press machine. Furthermore, both of Onkalo's EPs were actually recorded at a friend's ranch house with an old 8-tracker. Their homespun project that I found most interesting (and admittedly a bit humorous) is recording their music over religious cassettes found at a local recycling center. They plan to give these to fans for free at their shows. In addition to keeping busy with recording, Onkalo has also already played several live shows with a larger festival gig coming up this summer. Not a bad first year!
Keeping their lyrics primarily about death, Onkalo has created Toinen in the hopes of keeping things fresh and enjoyable to play.
When I first heard this EP, I was absolutely delighted by the raw production, which I'm a big fan of; keeping things very organic. The music is undoubtedly doomy, especially the song Pohjalla (my personal favorite). Its slow tempo and vocals that are almost a chant, reminiscent of a funeral procession. The next song, Vihrea Noita, is a bit more upbeat overall, with guitar that ventures a bit into bluesy territory. Kalma is a lament about the death of a companion, depicting the scattering of their ashes in a grove. Pimeys is the final and longest track on the EP, at nearly eight minutes long. This one has a way of bringing the EP full circle, tying back to the first track in tempo, cadence, and subject matter, but much more sorrowful and defeated in tone:
It wraps around the mouth
It's coming to mind
Wants you to step on the bottom
The feeling intensifies
Below the cross tree
It requires you to sleep in it
Nothing, nobody
You will be buried in the depths of the earth
Nothing, nobody
Only dark, the tomb closes"
(Translated from Finnish to English)
As a bit of a linguaphile myself, I always enjoy hearing a band perform in their native language and greatly appreciate the Finnish lyrics.
This is an EP that is the embodiment of traditional doom, rife with despair, telling its tales of death. The simple production adds to its value and feeling, reminding me of some of the great early doom bands that popped up surrounding the birth of Black Sabbath (Bedemon and Iron Claw come to mind). Both modern and seasoned doom fans alike will appreciate this one. Be sure to lend an ear to Onkalo on Spotify, YouTube, and Bandcamp, and give them a like and follow on Instagram!
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