Kuopio-based talents Iso-Kallan Panimo and Kuolemanlaakso have joined forces and created a treat for beer enthusiasts.”Katkeruuden malja”, named after Kuolemanlaakso’s new single, is a Belgian-style tripel, often referred to as a monastery beer.

It is a light-colored, strong and soft beer with a pleasant warmth of alcohol. Remember to consume with caution as has a sly kick (9% alcohol).

“We are thrilled with this partnership, and can’t wait for you to taste ‘Katkeruuden malja’. We didn’t want to go with just any beer and make a bulk product for a quick buck. As with music, it’s always quality over quantity“, states the band.

“Katkeruuden malja” is currently available at Iso-Kallan Panimo’s store. It is also available for restaurants to order. If you wish to enjoy the beer at your favorite restaurant, ask the staff to order it in. Cheers!

The Finnish death doom spearhead Kuolemanlaakso are about to release their first album in eight years. The band’s third full-lenght Kuusumu was co-produced, mixed, mastered and engineered by the Triptykon and Dark Fortress guitarist V. Santura, with whom the band has worked with on all of their releases. Kuusumu will be released on March 4th, 2022, via Svart Records.

“The recording break streched unforgivably long, but in doom there’s no rush. It was great to get back to business with the guys and have the opportunity to invite a couple of old friends to help us out, too. Kuusumu’s keyboards were produced and co-arranged by Aleksi Munter (Swallow the Sun, Insomnium, Ghost Brigade), and Lotta Ruutiainen (Luna Kills) did some amazing singing on a couple of tracks. In my humble opinion we took many steps forward on Kuusumu”, says guitarist-songwriter Laakso.

Kuusumu’s texts are loosely based on the sudden global cooling that began in 535, leading to a 10-year long winter, loss of crops, famine and mass deaths of cattle and other animals. The climate change was most likely caused by massive volcanic eruptions, the fog of which darkened the sun for 1,5 years, causing loss of light and intolerable coldness. Moreover, the bubonic plague that began in the Byzantine Empire in 541 swept across Europe, killing tens of millions of people during the climate crisis.

“I see our previous releases as autumn albums, so this time we decided to make a winter album. I came across some literature about the catastrophic events by chance, and got immensely inspired by them – especially the contemporary writings of the 530–540 era. It didn’t take long for me to write the album after that. It’s spine-chilling to ponder that a deadly climate change and a pandemic raged also 1,500 years ago when medical knowledge, information flow and living conditions were in their infancy. And there was no electricity, of course. People thought that they have angered the gods and the darkness will last forever,” says Laakso.

On Kuusumu, Kuolemanlaakso stretch their artistic boundaries even further. The album contains the trademark Kuolemanlaakso heaviness, but also more bombastic, fast and meticulously arranged material. The first single Katkeruuden malja, featuring Lotta Ruutiainen, represents the catchier and lighter side of the album.

“Katkeruuden malja draws its inspiration from grief and misery. Musically it’s almost tripping in the landscapes of present day Tribulation, but with melancholic and Kalevala-infuced melodic influences, that sound very Finnish to me. The music video sort of mixes and matches the frost theme of the album with the color palette of the cover artwork,” states Laakso.

The previous Kuolemanlaakso record Tulijoutsen (2014), reached the 10th place on Finland’s Official Album Chart and was selected as one of the best records of the year in numerous music publications, including Soundi, Inferno, Kaaoszine and Imperiumi.net.

The album will be released as a digipak CD, digital, limited gold vinyl and black vinyl.

PREORDER
Levykauppa Äx
Svart Records

Discography
Uljas uusi maailma (2012)
Musta aurinko nousee (EP, 2013)
Tulijoutsen (2014)
Kuusumu (2022)

We are extremely thrilled, proud and excited to announce that we have entered Studio 33, Kuopio, to record the drums and rhythm guitars for the long overdue follow-up to our top ten charting second album “Tulijoutsen” (2014) – coincidentally on the sixth day of the sixth month for six days.

As the Fugees star Pras once rapped: “The supreme dream team always up with the schemes.” We have once again joined forces with our longtime friend and ally V. Santura who has co-produced, mixed and engineered our entire back catalogue. Heavyweight lullabies.

Follow our Facebook, Instagram and website for exclusive studio updates, find out where we’ll travel to record the rest, and be the first to discover what other treats we’ve cooked for you.

Yours doomly,

the Kuolemanlaakso delegation

From left to right: Tiera (drums), Kouta (guitars), V. Santura (production), Usva (bass) & Laakso (guitar). Kotamäki (vox) will join us later.
Picture by Markus Laakso.

Kuolemanlaakso is set to end its long overdue live hiatus, and return on stage in November, 2018. The four-date Intermezzo Infernalis Tour 2018 will kick off from Seinäjoki on November 23rd, and end with a bang at December Doom, Vol. 2 event in Vantaa.

“The name of the tour is an obvious reference to an interlude between two eras. We truly needed the break, but the hunger to get back on stage is evergrowing“, states guitarist Laakso.

Band’s latest epic Tulijoutsen (2014) debuted at #10 on Finland’s Official Album Chart. It was named one of the best albums of its release year in numerous publications, including Soundi, Inferno and Kaaoszine.

Svart Records release a Deluxe CD+DVD reissue of Tulijoutsen in January. It includes the album, a bonus track, Musta aurinko nousee EP, Tulijoutsen – In Memoriam documentary (63 min) and all the band’s music videos.

INTERMEZZO INFERNALIS TOUR 2018
23.11. Bar 15, Seinäjoki
24.11. Ottopoika, Kuopio
30.11. Katse, Jyväskylä
1.12. December Doom, Vol. 2, Vernissa, Vantaa

Kuolemanlaakso will finally end its long live show hiatus. The band will be performing at December Doom Vol. 2, Vernissa, Vantaa, alongside with October Tide, Throes of Dawn, and others. Advance tickets are available at Liveto (15 € + handling).

“We’ve been inactive since New Year’s Eve, 2016, so, as one can imagine, we’re hungry, ready and willing to hit the stage again. We never intended the pause to last this long, but hey, we’re a doom band; what’s the rush? December Doom marks our first ever show in Vantaa, the birthplace of Usva (bass) and I, and we’re looking forward to playing at the legendary Vernissa with a killer lineup. It will be a night to remember,” promises guitarist Laakso.

LINEUP
Kuolemanlaakso
October Tide (special “Rain Without End” show)
Throes of Dawn (special “Quicksilver Clouds” show)
+ tba

Join the Facebook event for additional information and discussion here.

Finnish death doom heavyweights Kuolemanlaakso have released a Deluxe Edition of their 2014’s highly acclaimed monolith Tulijoutsen. The package includes the complete 2013 studio recordings as well as a DVD including music videos and a brand new 63-minute Tulijoutsen – In Memoriam documentary, directed by guitarist Laakso.

CD 
Tulijoutsen
“Raadot raunioilla” (bonus track)
Musta Aurinko Nousee EP

DVD
Tulijoutsen – In Memoriam documentary (63 min)
Music videos:
– “Minä elän*”
– “Ikiuni*”
– “The World’s Intolerable Pain**”
– “My Last Words**”
* From Uljas uusi maailma
** From Laakso’s solo album M. Laakso, Vol. 1: The Gothic Tapes

>> Order the album <<

“Tulijoutsen and Musta aurinko nousee EP have been sold out for a long time, so instead of just re-printing them, we wanted to give our fans as much value for their money as possible. And what better way to do that than to travel back in time with our listeners sitting in the front seat of the DeLorean?”, states Laakso.

The documentary contains footage from the recording sessions of Uljas uusi maailma, Musta aurinko nousee and Tulijoutsen, previously unseen live footage and freshly conducted interviews with all the band members as well as longtime producer V. Santura, the guitarist of Triptykon and Dark Fortress.

The Deluxe Edition also features a 24-page booklet with revamped artwork,
previously unreleased photos and new liner notes.

“This is the definite Tulijoutsen release, a homage to an end of an era. We’re proud and privileged to finally unleash it, as it took forever to complete. I’m sure that our fans will appreciate the package, as the documentary reveals a lot of secrets behind the songs as well as new insight to what goes on behind the scenes”, Laakso promises.

Tulijoutsen entered Finland’s Official Album Chart at #10. It was named one of the best albums of 2014 in numerous magazines in Finland and abroad.

On August 26th, Kuolemanlaakso are back, unlike you’ve never heard them before! As the title aptly implies, M. Laakso – Vol. 1: The Gothic Tapes is the first solo album of Kuolemanlaakso mastermind Laakso. It showcases his songwriting catchier and more varied than ever, and it shall be released internationally by Svart Records.

“Kuolemanlaakso started out as my one-man solo project, which quickly escalated into a full-action monster with shows in the biggest clubs and metal festivals around Finland. As our singer Kotamäki will be occupied with Swallow the Sun’s touring duties for a long time, I finally had the opportunity to record an actual Kuolemanlaakso solo album,” Laakso rejoices.

Compared to the previous Kuolemanlaakso releases, a lot has changed and much has stayed the same. For starters, M. Laakso – Vol. 1: The Gothic Tapes is not a death-doom album. While the trademark heaviness, gloominess, and melancholy are still solidly present, the color palette is vastly wider. The album is a journey through a wide range of emotions steered by nyctophilia: love for the dark. Whereas Uljas uusi maailma (2012), Musta aurinko nousee (EP, 2013) and Tulijoutsen (2014) were compared to acts such as Celtic Frost, My Dying Bride, and Ajattara, one might hear echoes of Sisters of Mercy, Tiamat, Paradise Lost, and Amorphis on this release. What’s also different is the language, and using Laakso as the lead vocalist.

“I chose to do these songs in English, as they demanded a more musical language than Finnish. However, Finnish will always remain the only official language of the non-solo Kuolemanlaakso albums,” Laakso promises.

The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Woodshed Studio, Germany, by V. Santura, with whom Kuolemanlaakso have worked with since the very beginning of their recording career. Santura also acts as a guitarist and backing vocalist of this special lineup, consisting of him and Kuolemanlaakso members Laakso (vocals, guitar, keys), Tiera (drums), and Usva (bass). The album also features guest performances by Mikko Kotamäki (Kuolemanlaakso, Swallow the Sun), Helena Haaparanta (Crimfall, Valo), and Jaani Peuhu (Iconcrash).

Listen to the first single “Roll the Dice with the Devil”, featuring Kotamäki and Peuhu on backing vocals.

Kuolemanlaakso’s latest album Tulijoutsen debuted at #10 on Finland’s Official Album Chart. It made notable appearances on the Album of the Year lists in Finland’s leading music publications, including Inferno, Soundi, Imperiumi.net, and Kaaoszine.fi. UK’s Soundscape Magazine chose it as the Top #1 Album of 2014.

Svart Records will release M. Laakso – Vol. 1: The Gothic Tapes on red and black vinyl (limited to 200 and 300 pieces), digital download, mini-gatefold CD, and limited-edition artbook CD (500 pieces) on August 26, 2016. The artbook includes an exclusive bonus track and a 24-page booklet with handwritten lyrics, photographic art, and exclusive liner notes for each song, all crafted by Laakso himself.

>> PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM & CD/LP + T-SHIRT BUNDLES HERE <<

Kuolemanlaakso will perform at Virgin Oil, Helsinki, on June 18, 2016, with epic metallers Crimfall. Not only is this Kuolemanlaakso’s first live ceremony since August 2015, it is also the official comeback show of Crimfall, who are set to release their third album. 

Do not miss this special night as Kuolemanlaakso will only do a very limited amount of shows this year.

Kuolemanlaakso will be headlining the “Puistolava” stage at Kuopio RockCock festival in their hometown on August 1, 2015. The band will play only a very small amount of shows in 2015, this being the first – and possibly the only – one of them. The lineup also includes Accept, Children of Bodom, Sonata Arctica, Leila K, Turmion Kätilöt and numerous others.

“We’ve never performed at the biggest musical event of Kuolemanlaakso’s hometown, so it’s an honor for us to have the opportunity to headline the ‘Puistolava’. After the event we will start focusing on the Era III of the band, so do not miss out on this rare performance. As John F. Kennedy once said: ‘Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future’“, hints guitarist Laakso.

The recent years, and especially the first half of 2015, have been busy for Laakso as he penned the official biography of the Finnish metal giants Amorphis for Like Kustannus.

The 400-page hardback will be released in Finland (so far in Finnish only) officially on August 20, 2015, and on July 15, 2015, if you order it from Levykauppa Äx. Book + t-shirt bundles are also available.

Order the book / book + t-shirt bundles >>

Levytukku Oy has adopted Kuolemanlaakso‘s main songwriter Laakso to the Ibanez Guitars family. Ibanez’s have been an integral part of the Kuolemanlaakso sound since the beginning of the band.

“Ibanez guitars have been my favorite tools ever since I bought my first one back in 2000. It is a humbling honor to start the official collaboration with the brand. I’m confident that the fresh alliance will take the all-crushing Kuolemanlaakso sound to even further heights“, states Laakso.