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SATAN’S FALL
Destination Destruction

Steamhammer (2023)
Rating: 7/10

Of all the quality Finnish bands doing the rounds I’m embarrassed to say that Helsinki-based Satan’s Fall have somewhat slipped under my radar since forming in 2015. However, with one of my favourite album covers of the year the quintet has most certainly grabbed my attention. Satan’s Fall quite simply play straight up heavy metal that has a tendency to drift towards speedier avenues.

Like a lot of modern metal records, Destination Destruction nods to the 80s, bridging a gap between Enforcer and Megadeth or Judas Priest and Mercyful Fate with dollops of just about everything in-between.

Back in the 80s a glut of bands were bridging the gap between speed metal and traditional metal and this is no exception as ‘Lead The Way’ kicks things off with a sneering vocal from Miika Kokko. In spite of the devilish cover art this is quite an airy and nifty outing that doesn’t dwell in the darkness that one might expect. The guitars of Tomi Mäenpää and Ville Koskinen are brisk in their melodic strides as ‘Garden Of Fire’ attests.

Destination Destruction is not an overtly technical or heavy album. The production adds a spring and vim with each number and that’s not always a positive, because in spite of the hastier cuts, such as ‘Swines For Slaughter’, there is a distinct lack of weight as the sound is overcome by a glossiness. Even so, ‘Dark Star’ really does clank thanks to the bass of Joni Petander, but for me I need more rumble and thud on the percussion of Arttu Hankosaari.

That’s not to say this is a tepid release. ‘No Gods, No Masters’ roars sufficiently and ‘Monster’s Ball’ serves up plenty of variety and some strong axe work, but when you bear in mind this is the second full-length release from the band I’m now starting to realise why Satan’s Fall haven’t made much of an impact. Not mediocre by any means, but Destination Destruction lacks punch.

Neil Arnold

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