HAVOC UNIT „“h.IV+ [Hoarse Industrial Viremia]””

Music: Industrial metal/Experimental/black metal
Country: Finland
Web site: www.myspace.com/havocunit
Cool Songs: I.esus, When Snuff is No Longer Enough, Ignoratio Elenchi

“h.IV [Hoarse Industrial Viremia]” marks the first album by Finland’s HAVOC UNIT. This album is by no means the first recording released by this band, though. The band explains in the liner notes, “Finland’s AND OCEANS is dead, now rises the new age of machines: the industrialized proclamation of HAVOC UNIT.” After ten years of wearing the moniker, AND OCEANS…, the group has changed to HAVOC UNIT to signify their mechanical, industrialized transformation.

AND OCEANS… were a mere symphonic black metal band in their early days, but began to experiment more with recent releases. After a few tries, apparently, the band found their sound, therefore, HAVOC UNIT is a “proclamation” of the new style, leaving behind their black metal past. “h.IV” still contains a black metal vibe, especially in the nihilistic lyrics, but conveys these ideas through mechanical means. For those with apocalyptic hopes like HAVOC UNIT, it would only make sense for them to follow this progression. Digital technology plays a major role in current combat, future means of destruction will surely come via computers.

HAVOC UNIT’s chaotic sound scapes paint a bleak picture of humanity. The low tuned, possibly seven-string axes, sound like the fantasy-become-reality earthquake machine, rumbling and highly caustic. The variously used samples and metallic noises may represent our constant bombardment of computers, the beginning steps of total dehumanization. Kenny’s processed vocals take this concept even further, providing a glimpse of how humanity may sound when merged with machine.

Post apocalyptic visions aside, HAVOC UNIT creates music sharing aspects of industrialized metal groups such as BILE and early FEAR FACTORY, while immersing each track in dark wave ambience. Each track has memorable sections, giving every song its own distinct character. “Vermicide,” spelled in Arabic on the album’s track listing, effectively relates the religious mind set of the Islamofascist (that is my take on the track, anyway). A minimalist piano section provides the backdrop to a choir of Islamic prayer at the end of the track.

An old record played at a slower than normal speed creates a warped sound to beckon in “I.sesus.” Another track I find myself constantly revisiting is “When Snuff is No Longer Enough” due to the Nietzsche-like speech narrated in German-accented tongue near the end of the track. Here, the group again utilizes foreboding, simple piano keys to accentuate the narration of heretical truths about the Christian church. Keyboardist/programmer, Anti loops the speaker’s voice, bizarrely altering his vocal patterns and speech rhythms. SOLEFALD makes a special appearance on “Ignoratio Elenchi.” Their voices add an extra dimension to the album, instilling this track with epic sensibilities.

HAVOC UNIT is not the first black metal band to take an electronic direction. Bands such as DHG, ULVER, KOVENANT, and even the true, MAYHEM have tried their hand at this style. HAVOC UNIT does not play the dance-inducing beats of KOVENANT or contain the surreal atmosphere of ULVER, yet they created a more interestingly varied sound than “Grand Declaration of War” by MAYHEM. Like KOVENANT, the group has changed its name to signify its conversion to the industrial fold. No posing as a black metal band experiment with their sound, HAVOC UNIT is an industrial, experimental band. However, they retain the hateful spirit of black metal.

note: 7.5/10

Tracklist

1. ăČíĎ ÇáĎříĎÇä [Vermicide]
2. I. esus [The Liturgy of Inhumanity]
3. When Children Are No Longer Enough [C.oitus O.rgasm C.atholic K.ids]
4. Generation Genocide [Humanitarian Vivisection]
5. Viremia [Regime HIV+]
6. Kyrie Eleison [Totalitarian Libertarianism]
7. Nihil [Operation Blitzkrieg]
8. Man vs. Flesh [Structured Suicide]
9. Ignoratio Elenchi [Reversed Genesis]
10. Kill All Nations [The Manual of Terrorism]
11. Kristallnacht [From Revolution to Reconstruction]
12. Klan Korps [Volkssturm & Erregung]
13. Rape Scene Act I [The Fine Art of Quality Time]
Total playing time 53:37

Line-up

sa.myel – battery, programming, fx, bass, guitars.
t.kunz – guitars, fx, bass.
jos.f – vocals, propaganda, tapes, cutting.
heinr.ich – piano, keys, propaganda, programming, loops, filtering.