Nekrokrist SS - Seitsemäs

Almost unnoticed, Savonia has become one of the more important regions for Finnish black metal in the 21st century. While the bigger breakthroughs are still waiting to happen, there is no shortage of promising underground acts. One of the many is Nekrokrist SS, which started out as early as 2000 and has spent its entire career in the shadow of bigger names. By 2026, only one original member remains in the lineup, with the others being more recent additions.

The band’s early years were marked by NSBM references. Apparently, there have been attempts to distance the band from those over the years, and the “SS” suffix in the name has even been explained as referring to Southern Savonia. Only the band itself knows the truth.

What probably matters more is what the band is today, and there is undeniably no political tone to be found in its current output. Instead, the album offers a more DSBM-oriented interpretation, with self-destructiveness and melancholy very much present.

Seitsemäs is indeed flirting quite heavily with DSBM in places, although its underlying structure draws on the sounds and stylistic devices of very traditional Finnish black metal.

The album leaves the overall impression of mid-tempo black metal, combining strained shrieks with suitably rough yet clear guitars. From these elements, the band has put together a collection of very well-crafted black metal songs.

They do not exactly stand out from the crowd, but they score points in many different areas. The individual riffs, solid production and, above all, the appropriately melancholic atmosphere are all highly successful.

It is difficult to find any obvious weaknesses in the album. That is not something to underestimate; far too many otherwise good records stumble in one area or another, leaving you wishing those shortcomings simply weren’t there. Nekrokrist SS avoids that problem, at least on this album.

Seitsemäs is not so much a memorable album as it is a consistently solid one. It is an enjoyable listen, and that alone is enough to make me want to check out the band live should the opportunity arise. Seitsemäs is worth checking out.

Tracklist:
1. Veitsen henki
2. Seitsemäs
3. Musta vesi
4. Tikari ja tähti
5. Tappurakruunu
6. Joukkohauta
7. Mustan taivaan kutsu

Link:
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Nekrokrist_SS/41011