Release date: 25th October 2024
It goes without saying that I have a lot of faith in Turmion Kätilöt to put out a good album. I booked flights to one of the Reset album launch shows in 2025 after only hearing the first single Yksi Jumalista. This is a band that delivers, both in the studio and in a live environment, so I knew I had nothing to worry about – but it still felt good hearing how much Reset kicked ass when my review copy of it landed.
Reset is a bit of an intriguing one. It feels both new and old at the same time; almost like the band are looking back over their back catalogue and revisiting older songs whilst simultaneously giving them a new twist. To give but a few examples, Musta Piste sounds like a cut from Universal Satan, Se Mitä Et Näe sounds like it is bridging the gap between Pirun nyrkki and U.S.C.H!, and Trauma feels like a spiritual successor to Kun Kesä Kuoli from their most recent release. (And that’s before touching on the fact that they reworked Teurastaja into Schlachter!)
There’s plenty to sink your teeth into with Reset. Trauma is a definite highlight with its sublime blend of aggression, melody and beats (definitely keeping my fingers and toes crossed for that track to be included in their upcoming live shows!) and Puuttuva Naula, one of the more melodic inclusions has been rattling around my brain since I first heard it. That lead melody is a serious earworm.
As a whole, Reset is a very solid album, and feels like an album summing up the illustrious 21 year career of the band so far – almost like it’s a ‘greatest hits’ album that never was! And I for one am very curious as to what comes next – is this a full reset and the next album will be something completely different, or will they continue to trailblaze with their already-unique sound? Only time will tell.
8/10
