ALBUM REVIEW: Tavastland – Havukruunu

For 20 years, Finland’s HAVUKRUUNU have been crafting their own place in the black metal underground. With a rich discography and impressive soundscape, the band’s epic pagan hymns and excellent collective musical ability has resulted in the band gaining a worthy reputation in heavy music circles. Now, five year’s after the excellent Uinuos syömein sota in 2020 comes Tavastland, and it’s arguably one of the best black metal records you’ll hear this year.

A concept record exploring the Tavastian uprising against the Catholic Church in 1236–1237, a chapter in Scandinavia’s long and volatile relationship with Christianity, this theme bleeds seamlessly into the music of HAVUKRUUNU and as a result, the record is as memorable as it is powerful.

Album opener, Kuolematon Laulunhenki starts the record if the grandest of fashions as a cacophony of first-raising riffs, anthemic Viking chants and blackened bite fuse together to give the album the best possible start. Over the course of near seven and a half minute runtime, the song provides a snapshot into quality on offer throughout Tavastland and the resulting immersion is flawless.

It’s a triumphant opening and whilst some bands would buckle under the early momentum, HAVUKRUUNU display enough innovative ideas and ferocious might to keep you engaged throughout the record’s duration. Yönsynty allows for a solemn and reflective atmosphere to take centre stage through clever use of a mid-pace tempo, which enables some of the riffs to strike with enough conviction to make BATHORY proud, whilst the traditional folk influences that lie within Havukruunu ja Talvenvarjo‘s windswept plains feels like it could happily sit on a MOONSORROW record.

There’s so many moments of utter brilliance throughout Tavastland‘s , the title track sees HAVUKRUUNU loosen the shackles to unleash a ferocious black metal assault that blends seamlessly with harmonious Viking chants whilst drummer Kostajainen impresses with ample double kicks throughout and Kun veri sekoittuu lumeen‘s wailing leads and thumping riffs effectively charge the adrenaline for the album’s closing stages. In truth, tere’s rarely a dull moment and it makes for a highly rewarding listening experience.

In fact, there’s enough stellar musicianship on display here to tickle the tastebuds of any heavy music fan. Largely, this is down to the superb work from guitarists Henkka and Stefan who together, dance and duel with melodic leads, and combine for some primal and razor-sharp delivery that carries enough force to level a building. Kun veri sekoittuu lumeen‘s ebbs and flows and allows the riffs to successfully build tension to wonderous effect, the solo on Yönsynty will have you busting out your finest air guitar moves, and the primal force of the riffs in Kuoleman Oma is simply jaw-dropping. Perhaps most impressive though, is that not one inch of Tavastland‘s overarching structure or the various techniques deployed by the band feels shoehorned in for the sake of showmanship or accessing a wider market. Instead, everything present here feels entirely organic to the band’s rich soundscape. For longstanding fans, they will fall head over heels in love with Tavastland, but for newcomers, there is so much to discover and enjoy within the album’s numerous layers.

Tavastland is a living monster of a record, one in which contains an extraordinary level of depth, pacing and enough melodic brushes to leave a lasting impression. Expertly produced, highly engaging and inventive enough to keep you on your toes, Tavastland is the crown jewel of HAVUKRUUNU‘s discography and it demands attention. Make no mistake, this is one of the finest black metal records you’ll hear in 2025.

Rating: 9/10

Tavastland is out now via Svart Records

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