Album Review: Rajalla - Diktaattori

Finnish thrash metal band «Rajallah» from Helsinki was founded in 2011. According to the label, this debut album «Diktatori» offers intense, straightforward and aggressive thrash metal. What may sound like any old Thrash Metal act sounds carefree and passionately fresh in the Finnish form of these bullies. This may also be due to the Finnish lyrics, because of them the material sounds a bit odd – at least for those who don't speak Finnish.

Rajalla released two demos in 2013 and their debut «Diktaattori» has been on the shelves since December 30 last year. On this, the band presents 13 tracks full of thrash metal, in which the lyrics tell stories about subjects like guilt, life, decisions and responsibilities. Due to the themes, the songs are more serious and accordingly the Finns reflect the social sceneries of everyday life in musical form. Above all, there is also the musical orientation, because here not the hundred thousandth Slayer, Kreator or any other giant metal act is musically quoted. The Finns convince with a lot of independence and show an enormous, playfully fresh potential. Intensely fast and springy Thrash Metal is paired with fat grooves and light melodic edges. The whole thing comes out of the speakers appealingly with a fresh rhythm and it all puts you in a good mood.

Rajalla - Diktaattori

Rajalla don't try their hand at the 80s rhythm, rather appealing fresh, rousing vibes are popped through the speakers. The guys from the far north are an appealing metal act, which not only offers a lot of technology in a well tolerated measure. This mélange thunders tremendously and has many long-lasting whiplashes, which make you stay addicted to the player. A lot of speed is offered throughout, but in contrast to this, the attempt is also made to pull the listener to the side with the pounding songs at a significantly reduced speed. A consistently good appearance and you don't always have to unpack the big Thrash club. No, instead they rely on a consistently good portion of Groove Metal, which evenly strengthens the back of the tracks enormously through many sound infiltration.

The first and at the same time the title track of the album "Diktaattori" (Dictator) offers us creaky guitars that lead us directly to the cultivated energy burst. In any case, Finnish fits perfectly with Jukka's slightly tubular gutural vocals, even if you have to get used to the language a bit. "EVK" continues a bit more snotty, which sounds somehow punky from the start. The tempo is high and the melody of the guitar fortunately doesn't disappear into the sound carpet, although the drums rage along at breakneck speed in the foreground. «Etsijä» (Seeker) was recorded for one of the demos in 2013 and is about the search for meaning. «Arpa» (scars) comes with a classic metal rhythm and is written in a very varied way. In addition, 100% of the listeners will be happy to shake their hair and heads. The tempo of the album was already brisk so far, but now Rene sets a violent speed with «Ihmisviha» (misanthropy) and in the middle part there is a frightening speech insert from the depths of hell. The track «Kurittaja» (corrects us) will definitely fire up the mosh pit at a live gig by the band and anyone who understands the lyrics can certainly sing along here. «Verivala» (oaths in the blood) is unceasingly angry and full of energy. The melodic vocal parts once again remind you that Finnish doesn't seem inherently evil and gloomy. The Finns also show no mercy when it comes to «Taakka» (stress) and we continue to get quite a beating. In «Vihan kieltäjä» (The Anger Denier) the title says it all, as long as the Google translator doesn't mislead us and in the next piece «Rajan taa» (Limitation) the testosterone bubbles, spits and boils and there is no obstacle, that can stop the Finns. They also whip us with "Viisi vastaan ​​yksi" (five against one) and "Isäntä" (host) is just fun. But he also teaches us to fear that the last song is already approaching! This is "Risteyskohta" (intersection), a final cry, a gasp and a valor and a true anthem!

Rajalla - Diktaattori - FULL ALBUM

Rajalla are not Thrash Metal in its purest form, but in contrast to it an extremely appealing metal rhythm is offered, with lots of earwigs that stick to the ears for a long time. A really great Thrash Metal mixed album, which has a lot to offer. Melody, groove and charm, the latter is pleasantly incredibly captivating. I would like to see the gentlemen live and hope to see them on a European tour soon. Rajalla play the hell out of it and let it rip on this album! We hope that the band doesn't take too much time for another album, because this album definitely makes you want more! The fact that the songs are written in Finnish takes some getting used to on the first run, but it matches the sound and makes the album refreshingly different.

Tracklist:

1. Diktaattori
2. EVK
3. Seeker
4. Harp
5. Himmisviha
6. Kurittaja
7. Verivala
8. Taakka
9. Vihankieltäjä
10. Rajan taa
11. Viisi vastaan ​​yksi
12. Isanta
13. Risteyskohta

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