Menetyksen Tie 2011

"Definitely an interesting release, albeit on the monotonous side every now and then (which, I am sure, is intended), "Menetyksen Tie" is bleak and depressive and incredibly expressive. Drawing on the shoegazing attitude of alternative rock and taking their time, Raate are perhaps comparable to the likes of Alcest, Old Silver Key and Drudkh, although operating with a perhaps slightly simpler sound universe.

Despite the monotony, this album definitely has its moments - in fact, it has many of them. First of, there many instrumental sections and entire tracks are mesmerizing and haunting (with the 'Ajan Tempelli' as a good example). Also, the shoegazing approach to repetition has the effect that, whenever changes appear or riffage appears, which breaks with the repeated patterns, then it is really noticable, as is the case of the doomy and more straight black metal parts in 'Tulen laulu' and the slightly power-thrashy riffs in 'Taival').

This album will probably not appeal to everyone on this planet, but if you are into post-black metal with a touch of shoegazing, then you should check it out.

(review originally posted on metalmusicarchives.com)"