Sarajah – Sarajah

Sarajah
Sarajah
Label: Argonauta Records
Out: July 19^th, 2024
Playing time: 37:45

Although the Finnish Doom Metal band Sarajah was founded back in 2010, very limited material has been released to date. The first sign of life “First Demonstration” – a demo with three songs – was not released until 2017. This was followed by two singles in 2024, and the long-awaited self-titled debut album was released in July.

Just like the band and the album, the first title of the album is “Sarajah”. Powerful Epic Doom Metal in the vein of Black Sabbath or Candlemass. Invites you to headbang despite the mid-tempo sound. Or just because of the sound? “Lungs Of Smoke” is then slowed down a little more. Riffs from lower-tuned guitars and hard drumming dominate. Low-tuned guitars remain, hard riffs remain, but “Long Riders” picks up a little speed. In contrast to the previous songs, the basic mood is a little less gloomy. An oppressive bass line and a great guitar solo round off the whole thing. The title “Journeys Of Willem Barentsz” explains the album cover – a three-masted sailing ship trapped in pack ice. The riffs drip out of the speakers with corresponding melancholy. “Home Of Arktos” starts with plucked bass strings on an acoustic guitar. Shortly afterwards, the hard guitar riffs roar again. And the almost ethereal vocals. Another guitar solo is interspersed, majestically. The sounds of a snowstorm and acoustic guitars introduce “A Year With Us”. But then the decelerated and gloomy atmosphere spreads again. In contrast, “I Am The Soil” seems almost cheerful. Also thanks to the slightly increased tempo. Only the hard riffs spread a little gloom. However, another guitar solo emphasises the slight optimism. With a playing time of more than eight minutes, the overlong final song “Underworld” is also one of the somewhat faster tracks, although the mid-tempo range is not abandoned.

On “Sarajah” you can enjoy Classic Epic Doom Metal. With the exception of “Underworld”, most of the songs have a “normal” playing time – between three and five minutes. This is somewhat atypical for the genre. However, it also ensures that the varied songwriting never gets boring. Ethereal-sounding clear vocals can be heard throughout. Deeply tuned guitars, punchy bass lines and sophisticated drumming create a largely gloomy atmosphere. A convincing debut from the Finns.

Sarajah – Sarajah: https://youtu.be/EpGZcQpjhCE?si=BLAZMFT-DP1XTM5O

Lineup:

J.H. aka Juho Huuskola – Guitars
H. Wizzard – Drums
Magus Corvus aka Markus Pirkkalainen – Vocals
Jeff Pekkilä – Bass

Track list:

• Sarajah
• Lungs Of Smoke
• Long Riders
• Journeys Of Willem Barentsz
• Home Of Arktos
• A Year With Us
• I Am The Soil
• Underworld