UMUR
"Ulvaja" is an EP release by Finnish death-doom metal act Rippikoulu. The EP was released through Svart Records in June 2014. It´s the band´s comeback release after reuniting earlier that year after originally disbanding in 1999. Rippikoulu formed in 1990 and disbanded in 1995 as the consequence of the death of guitarist Marko Henriksson after releasing two influential death-doom metal demos. After a two year mourning period the band tried to carry on, but they found it impossible without Henriksen and finally officially folded in 1999. Three of the original members of the band who performed on their early 90s demos are part of the reunited Rippikoulu. Drummer Toni Valtanen isn´t part of the reunion though and he has been replaced here by Mikko Ruohonen. The band have opted not to replace Henriksson, and therefore operate as a quartet with only one guitarist.
"Ulvaja" features three tracks and a total playing time of 17:58 minutes. Stylistically it´s the sound of a more mature and contemporary sounding Rippikoulu. It´s still heavy and gloomy death-doom metal with Finnish language lyrics, but it´s quite a bit more epic than the material on the two early 90s demos, which is in large part due to the omnipresent use of atmosphere enhancing keyboards. The growling vocals now also have a blackened edge to them and some of the parts which feature lead guitar lines have a melodic death/black metal touch to them.
The EP features a clear, powerful, and detailed sound production, which suits the material well, and it´s interesting to hear the band´s music in a professional studio recording quality, when for so many years the only recorded material by the band was the two demo tapes from 1992/1993. Personally I think they´ve lost some of their identity with the addition of the keyboards, and I could have wished for a more organic and raw sound, but when that is said "Ulvaja" is still a good quality death-doom metal release with a melancholic epic atmosphere and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.