A pioneer of the extreme ambient scene, Jouni Ollila's work with Mz.412 has been instrumental in tying the dark ambient scene with a black metal perspective. In effect, Ollila has influenced an array of artists from the brutal, dungeon chaos of Abruptum to the horrifying, noise dreams of Gnaw Their Tongues. While Ollila continues to produce dark visions through Mz.412, he has found another outlet to spread his sonic terror in Ulvtharm. With an exquisite debut full-length, Wrēckō paving the way in 2022, 7 Uthras now aims to descend further into this inferno.
The feedback defines the scenery, as the cinematic essence of “Plague” is molded through distortion and drones. Despite the disfigured configuration, there is still an ethereal presence to be found here. It is a subtle touch, but one that Ollila displays mastery of. The slight addition, the distinct notes amidst the havoc of “Sinners Will Inherit The Earth” establish this attention to detail. In short, even though this is an oppressive and inherently malformed offering, there is a grand design beneath it all. It is exactly this that makes 7 Uthras so terrifying.
The true sentiment is established once the demon-like voice settles in. At that moment, this feverish dream is transformed into a nightmare you cannot wake from. Once they take over in the opening track, they consume the entire sonic horizon, a hungry mouth that devours all hope. The apocalyptic sense settles in, becoming more absolute as Ulvtharm relax the pace. “All Hail The Serpents” sees them settle into a doom-infused processional, the slithering movements achieving a spinetingling effect. In this mode the record transforms, the mysterious passageways sprouting a pensive essence in “Bloodletting of Magna Matter” with the background choir shining. In turn, minimalistic applications complete this ceremony in “The Beginning and The End” while the faraway operatic cries and tribal percussion shine through “Blvck Daath.”
While the sound design and dark ambient methodologies craft this hellish landscape, the industrial backbone provides a sense of finality. At times, Ollila leans toward the EBM side, allowing the electronic machinations to take over. “New Dawn” sees this implementation, as the malformed beats exalt the already decadent aesthetic. At that moment it feels like you are passing through an ill-shaped corridor, where each grotesque edge can cut you, inflicting maximum damage. At other times, it is a conventional industrial application that arrives with precision, shifting the entire scenery toward an unearthly procession, as with “Sinners Will Inherit The Earth.” No matter the case, the fact remains that 7 Uthras is an uncomfortable listen. An odyssey through dystopian remnants in a world that hope itself has long abandoned.
P.S. If you feel completely devastated after listening to this I recommend checking through Ollila’s YouTube channel for a different cosmic inspiration with some uplifting characteristics. And a lot of Eurorack worship!
