Askel lähempänä Saatanaa
Horna · 2013
48 min · 10 tracks · black metal
A dark and relentless exploration of despair, woven with haunting melodies and blistering riffs.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Askel lähempänä Saatanaa — The title track encapsulates the album's thematic essence, blending aggressive instrumentation with haunting vocals that convey a sense of inevitable descent.
-
→
Kuolema kuoleman jälkeen — This track stands out for its intricate musical composition, seamlessly merging brutal riffs with melodic undertones that enhance its lyrical exploration of mortality.
-
→
Kärsimyksin vuoltu hänen valittuna äänenään — Through its expansive runtime, this song builds an intense atmosphere, reflecting on suffering as both a personal and universal experience with compelling sonic dynamics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production, solidifying Horna's place in black metal while maintaining a cohesive sound.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief instrumental track that sets a dark tone before launching into aggressive riffs and blast beats.
- Each song features a consistent tempo, primarily mid to fast-paced, with occasional slower sections that enhance the atmosphere.
- The lyrics are delivered in a harsh vocal style, often layered over complex guitar work and rhythmic variations that create a dense soundscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- relentless energy throughout listening
- haunting atmospheres for contemplation
- dark themes for introspective moods
- cathartic release during intense moments
- immersive experience in solitude
Maybe skip if you
- seeking lighthearted, upbeat tunes
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Askel lähempänä Saatanaa is Horna's ninth studio album, released after a period of lineup changes and artistic maturation. The band had established themselves as a prominent force in Finnish black metal by this point, following their previous release, 2010's Sota. This album showcases their commitment to evolving sound while staying true to their roots in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Marduk· Darkthrone· Immortal
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Alku 1:55
- 2 Askel lähempänä Saatanaa 6:30
- 3 Kunnia herralle, kuninkaalle 4:40
- 4 Kuolema kuoleman jälkeen 3:53
- 5 Yhdeksäs portti 4:03
- 6 Ei aikaa kyyneleille 4:43
- 7 Kärsimyksin vuoltu hänen valittuna äänenään 6:57
- 8 Aamutähden pyhimys 6:15
- 9 Pala tai palvele 4:21
- 10 Ota omaksesi, luoksesi 4:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.