BLACK LEAGUE, THE „“Man’s Ruin Revisited””

Music: Heavy Groove/Punk/Hard Rock
Country: Finland
Web site: www.theblackleague.fi


Cool Songs: Cold Women and Warm Beer, Better Angels (of our Nature), Black Water Fever

Taneli Jarva is a well-recognized name in the Finnish metal scene. He fronted SENTENCED during their early years and handled bass duty in black metal stalwarts, IMPALED NAZARENE. “Man’s Ruin Revisited” is the third full-length for his most recent band, THE BLACK LEAGUE. The said album explores different territories from his past projects, focusing on highly energetic heavy grooves and punk rhythms. Comparison bands could include MOTORHEAD, DANZIG, MOTLEY CRUE, and even KISS.

“Old World Monkey” opens the album with a mini-drum solo, which my all-things-DANZIG conditioned brain kept expecting John Christ to bust in with his trademark riffs. From there, the rhythm takes an Alternative turn with the guitarists playing a lick not far removed from bands like SPONGE. “Cold Women and Warm Beer” is part punk and part Sunset Strip metal, and the most fun track of the album with the party sing along chorus “Cold Women and Warm Beer,” even a female voice (most likely a cold woman) joins the foray near the end. Jarva extends his gruff voice to sound a bit like Billy Idol in this track. The title track has a classic, hard rockin groove in a similar style to KISS on “Detroit Rock City.”

While the majority of the disc consists of up beat, rockin’ tracks, there are a few morose, slower tracks like the kind he produced in SENTENCED. You can hear the fuzzy guitar tones on tracks like “Better Angels (of our Nature) and “Black Water Fever” because of the slow, ring out riffing. The later track features a stand out bass section during a melodic guitar solo. These tracks also show Jarva at his best because he can draw out his hurtful vocals.

“Man’s Ruin Revisited” is a fun album with many catchy grooves. THE BLACK LEAGUE keeps the album moving by incorporating many styles, which instills an overall hard rock/classic metal atmosphere. Therein lays the problem. While the faster, punky tracks feature catchy grooves and give off a considerable amount of energy, Jarva’s voice fits much better during the down tempo moments. I think the main issue I have with this album is it is not SENTENCED “Amok.”

note: 5/10

Tracklist

1. Old World Monkey
2. Alive & Dead
3. Cold Women & Warm Beer
4. Hot Wheels (Hurriganes cover)
5. Black Water Fever
6. Lost In the Shadows, I Walk Alone
7. Ain't No Friend O' Mine
8. The Healer
9. Crooked Mile
10. Mad Ol' Country
11. Man's Ruin… Revisited!
12. Better Angels (Of Our Nature)
Total playing time 44:55

Line-up

Taneli Jarva – vocals
Maike Valanne – guitar & vocals
Heavy Hiltunen – guitar
Ilkka Tanska – bass guitar
Rale Tiiainen – drums