Genre: Neoclassical / Neofolk / Industrial /

Heathen Harvest readers are going to have to excuse me as I gush adoration upon the band Pimentola and Beast of Prey the label responsible for their re-release. It only happens very rarely that such an amazing musical project is brought to our attention that we have previously not heard of through some compilation, review, or rumor. Such is the case with and the Polish label Beast of Prey and the band Pimentola. Pimentola is not new to the post-industrial scene having been an operating band since 1996 but the output of available commercial releases has been extremely restricted due to the normal challenges of establishing a band. Pimentola has settled into being a one man act based in Finland and originally conceived as a means of exploring experimental dark metal and Finnish folk beliefs and mythology. Beast of Prey is an industrial, neofolk, noise; dark ambient, martial music label producing some of the most original and refreshing acts entering the scene.

Lempo the lead man behind the solo project Pimentola has steered the band into the fertile musical domain of industrial / neoclassical music thus revising the bands original conception as a dark metal band. Like so many artists in the post industrial genre Lempo found himself drawn to these genres upon discovering them. “Tuoni Pauloo Tiukoin Sitein” is the bands second or third actual release but stands as Pimentola's first commercially available release.

I can't say they I was really expecting to be captivated by a one man solo act that I had never heard of before the first time I listened to Pimentola. Though the disc comes in very attractive cardboard packaging with artistic printing I did not want to amp up my expectations for an otherwise unheard act. From the beginnings of the first song I realized that Pimentola was indeed talented and quite captivating even if they may be currently being under appreciated.

“Tuoni Pauloo Tiukoin Sitein” is just over twenty minutes long and it contains 3 epic songs that exude a neoclassical prowess that is stunning, lively, and original. The songs are tilted I, II, and III, leaving all interpretation to the listener. The first song titled I is fairly cinematic as a lone male voice solemnly recites a poem. Neoclassical instrumentation accompanies the poem. The instrumentation is very streamlined and incredibly effective. Looped strings and belching horns back up the pounding of drums and the occasional industrial clash of metal. Pimentola casts these elements of neoclassical instrumentation and sampled voice in such a way that the listener is driven by the musical elements rather than swimming in them. Never does the orchestration become over bearing or intolerable rather it remains direct, open, and clean. The song changes near the middle to a hypnotic hybridization of neoclassical instrumentation with jazz overtones. This song could easily be compared to some of the simpler and more effective works of the likes of der Blutharsch or A Challenge of Honor.

The second song on the album simply titled II sees Pimentola break the confines of neoclassical instrumentation and launch forward into a storm of percussion, dark ambience, and industrial noise. What was majestic now become savage and tribal. A Jew harp is played over multiple layers of drums and percussion. The throbbing percussion ensemble builds then pauses like a beast stalking prey. The music is stunning in its originality and utterly refreshing as it delves into more tribal and shamanistic realms of percussion and emotion that are so commonly ignored by industrial music. Pimentola manages to deliver a stunning song filled with a feral spirit that is at once ritualistic and comfortably industrial. The third track on the album titled III is truly apocalyptic tribalism. The sonority and drama of neoclassical instrumentation meets the more lively and tribal side of Pimentola in a synthesis that is once daunting and inspiring. Fans of martial neoclassical music that emanates feelings of power, anguish, and struggle will love Pimentola.

Heathen Harvest is highly recommending that industrial music enthusiasts find a way to secure a copy of Pimentola “Tuoni Pauloo Tiukoin Sitein.” If you are already feeding off current offerings from the likes of Der Blutharsch, Regard Extreme, Sophia, Dawn and Dusk Entwined and other such talented musicians then Pimentola will be a welcomed chapter in your music collection. It's very easy to make a mess of this kind of music and very hard to make a convincing, original, and authentic new piece of music. Lets support Pimentola and see our collection and their capacities to produce music grow! Radical Faeries that are on the outside looking in at this genre will find Pimentola is a very digestible album for new comers and a great introduction to modern dark music artists that are harnessing traditional music and reinterpreting a new era of sound and music for the rest of us!

Pimentola is very ritualistic and tribal in nature. Faeries that are looking for majestic and intelligent music that is dark and muscled should consider securing Pimentola for ritual music. An application for music so packed with grandeur is expansive. Think of Uranus, Mars, Hel, or processions of the dead marching to war. Be you awakening the dark moon or marching under the eternal arch of victory Pimentola is waiting to play your song.