SURUAIKA PELKÄÄMME VAIN TOISIAMME ALBUM CYBERWARE RELEASE: MARCH 27, 2006 REVIEW: JUNE 29, 2006

The tradition of using their native language in rock music is surprisingly strong among the Finns. Be it industrial mayhem (Turmion Kätilöt), mournful heavy melancholia (Timo Rautiainen & Niskalaukaus) or heroic fantasy metal (Teräsbetoni); it can all be done in Finnish and find a willing audience.

Suruaika (something like "time of mourning") completes this selection with energetic old school post punk goth, closer to a faster paced Joy Division than The Sisters of Mercy. The band seems oblivious of the world of fashion, camp and mythology that have enveloped the goth music since its creation. They just sing about misery and rock like it's 1979. While keyboards are used, Suruaika is very much a guitar band, and the vocals of Matthew have a distinct punk flavour, adding to the impression that the guys have just emerged out of a cryogenic tank from the London Bat Cave. Good hooks and a powerful delivery distinguish Suruaika in the gothic genre, and make them well worth checking out regardless of your linguistic abilities.

MATTIAS HUSS