SUNRISE

Quite unreliable, those five-star ratings without reviews here... So, this is the album where CIRCLE, surely the longest-living psychedelic group from Finland, took a side step into adrenalin-full hard rock. The opener 'Nopeuskuningas' - meaning Speed King! - leaves no doubt as the straight-forward riff-banging (HAWKWIND meets Speed Metal) nails the listener to the wall. 'Satulinnut' (Fairy Tale Birds) features acoustic guitar, laid back beat and Mika Rättö's peculiar, falsetto-like, vibrating vocals, all in all reminding more of his other band Kuusumun Profeetta. 'Hautain Takaa' (From behind the Graves) is again that aggressive throat torture with heavy guitar riffing, this time with some more synths, but the monotonous track feels very pointless to me.

The stylistic dicotomy is continued with 'Vaanen Valtiatar', acoustically oriented tune in which the narration - not singing, that is - pushes the mythological, cryptic lyrics to the centre. This is the kind of hazy psychedelia in which Circle are very good and original, but soundwise it's not among the finest Circle stuff. The next track is predictably heavy and noisy - and absolutely not to my ears, though not without some interest. 'Rautakotka' (Iron Eagle) hovers somewhere in between the poles: the listener keeps waiting what kind of vocals will arrive to the steady, slightly threatening beat. They are freaky and high as you can expect from Rättö. The track lasts nearly ten minutes, perhaps more than needed, but the violin adds interesting depth to the sound.

'Paholaisratsastaja' (Demon Rider) is very freaky and monotonous heavy psychedelia. Instead of plain vocals there are some distant and chaotic human sounds. Not enough going on to justify the 7:40 length! The closing track 'Lokki' (Seagull) offers a bit calmer hypnotic trance reminding of Hawkwind, but 15 minutes is way too much for it. Circle have always been a risk- taking band pushing boundaries, but I'm afraid I have to give lower rating for this one.

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