Mourning Wood – Murder Of Crows

Mourning Wood
Murder Of Crows
Label: Inverse Records
Out: 28^th November 2025
Playing time: 33:02

Just a little more than one year ago, Finnish metal band Mourning Wood released their first EP, ‘Fill Your Grave’. Well, not quite – the band actually released the EP independently back in October 2023. Before Wormholedeath re-released it in August 2024. Mourning Wood are now signed to the Finnish label Inverse Records. And it is under this label that their debut album ‘Murder Of Crows’ is being released or rather was released.

‘Homicidium Corvorum’ is a short instrumental intro with atmospheric sounds and the cawing of crows. I’m not entirely sure whether it was necessary in this form and length (01:23 min). But somehow it fits the album title. However, ‘Feeling Good’ makes up for it with hard and fast guitar riffs. And Jussi Holopainen’s Rock vocals. There is also a first strong guitar solo in which guitarist Eino-Akseli Koski is literally driven by drummer Hanna-Leena Lassila. The title track ‘Murder Of Crows’ starts off ballad-like with clear guitar sounds. Soon, however, the guitar and drums pick up the tempo and add a lot of heaviness. Nevertheless, the song remains in the mid-tempo range. Powerful bass, heavy guitars and a short scream open ‘Down In The Dirt’. Before the drums become the driving force here too. And once again, a filigree guitar solo is the crowning glory. The airplay-worthy ‘Wish You Were Beer’ is also introduced by bass, guitar and drums before a catchy guitar melody kick in. Was Pink Floyd the inspiration for the song title? Distorted guitars add a higher degree of heaviness to ‘Long Lasting Ignorance’. Together with drums, bass and vocals, they ensure a fast tempo. ‘Swift Demise’ is more catchy and very rhythmic. The next song is airplay quality. And once again, Hanna-Leena Lassila drives her boys on. ‘A Grave Vacation’ is a fast Hard Rocker. The beautiful ballad ‘Alone’ provides a well-deserved breather shortly before the end. As a finale, we hear ‘End Of Days’, a Power Metal anthem. And in there, one last great guitar solo.

Even under a new label, Mourning Wood still manage to win me over completely. ‘Murder Of Crows’ is an outstanding debut album. The Finns prove that they have enough creativity for strong songs even on an album-length release. Although at thirty-three minutes, it’s still on the shorter side. Nevertheless, it features nine full-length songs, all of which are worthy of being played on Rock Radio stations.

Mourning Wood – A Grave Vacation: https://youtu.be/SbR1H1Rp1Po?si=mK3IOE6A0C4_pyfO

Lineup:

Lari Lämpsä – Bass, Vocals (backing)
Hanna-Leena Lassila – Drums
Eino-Akseli Koski – Guitars, Vocals (backing)
Jussi Holopainen – Vocals (lead)

Track list:

• Homicidium Corvorum
• Feeling Good
• Murder Of Crows
• Down In The Dirt
• Wish You Were Beer
• Long Lasting Ignorance
• Swift Demise
• A Grave Vacation
• Alone
• End Of Days