Black Bile
Great Ape Language SakaraRecords

by Alissa Ordabai
Staff Writer

Comments: A work full of surprises, this new record introduces the latest project of Finnish omni-directional mastermind Henri Kuittinen, a man of many musical affinities and many talents who manages to bring together a variety of genres from electronica to industrial with remarkable finesse and a dexterous understanding of stylistic coherence.

Throughout this 11-track parade of eclectic influences Kuittinen's main leaning remains, peculiarly, towards the New Wave which he uses to unify a multitude of sporadic directions under a wide umbrella of a forlorn, overcast vibe that draws from the darker, more despondent moods of the likes of Depeche Mode and the Human League. Although curious, in the long run this proves a viable strategy, as Kuittinen, paradoxically, is at his most confident when he enters the murky waters of this peculiar kind of melancholy invented by the legendary Brits. Towards the middle of the record he finally manages to convince the listener, beginning to sound lucid and articulate and finally emerges full of dignity and a newly acquired resonance from the other side of this foggy pool of dejection and yearning, cold, endearing in the aloofness he learnt so perfectly from his Eighties mentors.

On opener "Earth Will Rise" industrial passages underpinned by a heavy metal riff alternate with a radio-friendly melody delivered by downcast vocals, the song juxtaposing the two conflicting paradigms like a schizophrenic Janus, evidently to highlight the conflicts our planet is facing these days. It is a convincing, sleek track, mature and very interested in commercial success while still, miraculously, managing to remain engaging and sincere.

Kuittinen's despondency reaches its ultimate on "Light That Failed" which finds him at his lowest, his Cobain-esque acoustic guitar strumming and simplistic melody conveying the endearing artlessness that made Seattle grunge a global fashion all those 15 years ago.

"Infection", which follows, provides the much needed contrast, with a spare electronica pulse introducing what at first appears to be a generic alternative melancholy tune backed by wall-of-sound guitars, unassumingly plodding along until it develops into a minimalist, spaced-out mini-epic with an extra lift given by night-glow touches of psychedelia.

"Divorced with the World" changes things yet again, its nu-metal groove and aggravated, highly processed vocals making you think of both Ministry and Slipknot (albeit Slipknot-lite because metal for Kuittinen is not a conviction but just another device in his collection of stylistic tools) until it morphs into an indie song which subtly and coyly nods to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon".

Kuittinen sings, plays the guitar, tweaks the synths and does all the programming, and he is also, crucially, the author of all the material. His subtle gift for melody is not of the kind that would grip you instantaneously, but given half a chance gradually transpires into a finely tuned, shadowy kind of sensitivity where every layer of influences in the end contributes to a unique, highly personal and painfully sincere vision. Definitely an act to watch develop, Black Bile deserves to be given much more than fleeting consideration.

Band Members:
Henri Kuittinen - vocals, guitar, synths, samples, programming
Eat Heike - guitar
Judo Fiber - guitar
Jeer Juutilainen - bass
Teemu Saikkonen - drums

Track Listing:
1. Earth Will Rise
2. Valerian
3. Light that Failed
4. Infection
5. Divorced with the World
6. Emily
7. Half
8. Mute
9. Monochrome
10. Worst Case Scenario
11. Slumber

Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10