Surprises are always nice. Of course only, when they are of positive kind, while a bad surprise can be probably described as disappointment then. Music-wise surprise and disappointment are what make the difference between success and failure, fans and haters, selling and shelf warmers. The first demo of Turku-based group Korpikuusen Kyynel is unlikely to bring in the big bucks, but in any case it is a very positive surprise.

"Sense the Dreadful Presence" comes with three tracks and music settled somewhere between Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and poppish Gothic Rock like Bloodflowerz, Lullacry, Manzana and latest Nightwish. Solid, catchy songs are paired with great guitar work and female, poppy seeming vocals. Korpikuusen Kyynel are therefore no genre pioneers, but they enjoy playing and this playfulness is hearable from the first to the last tune. Overall they seem quite innocent and some sound tunings are definitely necessary in order to catch the listener's attention for more than three songs. Opener "Hope" is lacking the immense catchiness follower "Season of Gray" holds, if this song was properly mastered and mixed it could easily be a radio single!

Korpikuusen Kyynel are still at the beginning and need some time focusing on improving their basics. I don't know if this is any good, but I'd always prefer a band like this over nowadays Nightwish.

7,5 / 10

Alexandra Zischow - 01.03.2009