Cold breeze, freezing rain, short days. Autumn, sombre autumn... Searching for some suitable music for this pulchritudinous season? Finnish band Legenda released this, their suitably titled (and more) debut album, in August of 1997.

The thing is, that Legenda was the solo project of Kimmo "Sir" Luttinen, known from his work in Impaled Nazarene next to his brother Mika. Sir decided to leave IN as his song 'Blood Is Thicker than Water' wasn't liked by other guys in that legendary black metal band, nor their fans. The song was gloomy rock played in black metal way. So, it was time for Legenda...

The album begins ominous intro before it gets into hypnotic, droning black metal riffage with rather slow-ish tempo. Samael's older stuff is what it reminds me of. With that I mean 'Blood Ritual' and 'Ceremony of Opposites' (released in 1992 and 1994). With the next song, more melodious riffing enters the recipe, but it's still black metal, and this time around it has Greek vibe to it; this is not the only time when this sensation happens. Then, on 'Legend', the gloomy rock mixed with metal makes its entrance. Finnish band Mana Mana might have inspired Sir Luttinen to come up with this slow-paced, strumming guitar stuff, feeling like a funeral march. However, it is not similar to 'Blood Is Thicker than Water', as it's a different band anyway. Hey, 'Wolves, Honey, Wolves' has a very similar, if slower, melody as Cemetary's song 'Elysia' a year earlier...

Changes in vibes do not end there. Mystic, romantic, epic and gothic stylings follow (lyrics deal with killing, vampires, nature and witches). The melodies are built with synthesizers; piano, mats, hums, choir sounds etc. are utilized. Generally, the album goes pretty many places, even though compositions are very much basic, as the songs mostly include 2-3 different parts, and not any real surprises, except for a couple of cases. Then again, it is a 13-song platter, and mostly they have more or less catchy elements in them. No rocket science needed, as it works pretty damn good for a big part, if listener's mood is receptive and suitable.

Guitar playing style that is often used is strumming. There is no solos here. The drumming is sometimes metal, sometimes rock. The energy is there at times, but the depressive and not so virile performing is what Legenda aimed for, I guess. Sir Luttinen's voice is insanity-tinged black metallic raspy throat sound, and is good all-around. Niko Karppinen was found for bass guitar, and he came up with some composing, too. The sound is quite big, both airy and punchy, thanks to Ahti Kortelainen's production job. The booklet includes some beautiful nature photography.

Good stuff for autumn time, when nature is plunging into winter-sleep. Remember that, because this might feel flaccid if you delve into it at the wrong time. 'Autumnal' is above all a rather original-sounding album. Unlike the band's sophomore one...

Rating: 7 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
11/13/2019 20:26