The world feels so hopeless and poisonous sometimes, the people in control of the strings making it that way because money and power are all that matter to them. People we grossly outnumber have that control over us. And that’s spread through the world as capitalism grows greedier and thornier still, an enemy seemingly immune to defeat.

Finnish metallic hardcore bruisers Svarta Havet have the power structure in their sights on their thunderous second record “Månen ska lysa din väg.” They, too, feel the urge to lash back at colonialism, unchecked power, and the negative aspects on human and animals alike, but with a defiant surge to fight back against the cretins above us on the ladder. Over eight tracks and 37 minutes, the band—vocalist Lotta, guitarist Joakim, bassist Anders, drummer Jara—blasts through and makes a volcanic stand, the music feeling heavy as hell but also introspective. Oh, and I labeled them metallic hardcore, but they don’t sound like what the description might hint. They use elements of both and mix them into a darkened storm that aims to swallow whole these oppressive demons.

“Gom Dig” opens with guitars buzz and then a deluge of power, the shrieks ripping flesh from your bones. The playing is sudden and molten, the screaming belting as an atmospheric gush takes over, driving through heavy emotion and dripping keys. “Harlig Ar Jorden” lets the guitars build into a fervor, and then the howls bolt like a caged animal freed, the drums pummeling as thorny black metal-style melodies sweep into the picture. The guitars boil as the rising force destroys, everything fading into chaos. “Avgrunden” starts in a hazy pocket, guitars tracing as the vocals start to boil, crawling through raw, yet airy terrain. The drums detonate as the tension hammers forcefully, a beastly presence walking on all fours into the darkness. “Alla Sover” ignites right away, burying any chance at calm, the bass swaggering as the riffs set off higher temps. The energy bounds as the riffs give off heavy steam, the dreams maiming as a calculated pace crunches you, slowly slipping into smoke.

“Djur” has guitars churning and chewing, the pace smearing, and a battering mid-tempo pace leaving calculated bruising. The tempo picks up and widens, the vocals lashing with primal energy, vicious strength locking around your jaw. “Under Staden” is a speedy attack at first, a blinding pace that’s nasty and vicious. The screams squeeze with vice-like force as everything comes to a tornadic end. “Misstag” opens with the howls carving, spindly guitars stretching muscle, and then the temperature suddenly going cold. Speaking haunts as melodies trickle toward a huge gust, animalistic screams ravaging as the guitars tingle away. Closer “Ditt Rike” brings stirring guitars and an enthusiastic gust, the playing making your heart race deliriously. The playing dices your sanity, ripping into ferocious waters that thrash you about, the bass driving and chugging, and the final moments buzzing away and leaving you flattened.

It’s impossible to argue against the position that humanity is at a strange and volatile crossroads, as the power structures once again aim to bury us and refuse to let us know justice or prosperity. Svarta Havet are well aware of this struggle, and “Månen ska lysa din väg” addresses those harsh realities, leaving a sliver of room for light and positive change to alter our destinies. This is a record you feel through every cell, every brainwave, and its passion and drive should connect with anyone facing the same battle, hoping we all can prosper as people and not lose our minds to the oligarchies.

For more on the band, go here: https://svartahavet.bandcamp.com/

To buy the album, go here: https://shop.prostheticrecords.com/

Or here (Europe): https://evilgreed.net/collections/prosthetic-records

For more on the label, go here: https://prostheticrecords.com/