Valontuoja’s “Tulesta syntynyt”: Cold fire, fading embers – Album review

If you’re into black metal and enjoy discovering the latest underground music, you should definitely check out the ‘Tulesta syntynyt’ album, which is set to drop on November 14, 2025, via Inverse Records. This is the second album from the multi-instrumentalist Jal’zoroth, who kicked off Valontuoja in 2024. The first album, “Luonnon armoilla,” really got things rolling with its raw and intense sound. It had a lot of melodies and complexities that really made it stand out from the typical atmospheric stuff.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to mix the raw power of black metal with a soft, ethereal voice, this will surely give you some insight. The album starts with “Palaneiden Kasvojen Maa,” exploring the tricky balance between intensity and melodies that feel like they’re gasping for air alongside a driving drumbeat. Sometimes, it can be tough to hear the voice, especially when you compare it to the other instruments. I found it to be a really beautiful and intense choice for the music.

I felt a little lost right from the first listen. It could be that the dry drum sound just doesn’t hit the right note for me. I thought I’d find more depth and heaviness in each song, but it just felt like something was off or missing. I understand this is a stylistic choice, and I can definitely see how it ties in with the cold vibe of the genre’s roots. Track 3, “Kameleontti,” really highlights that nicely.

You can totally hear the precision of the multi-instrumentalist Jal’zoroth across all 9 tracks. But you know, it can be a bit tricky to tell one song apart from another sometimes. It’s important to pay attention to the changes in melodies since the songs share a similar structure. Otherwise, you might find yourself losing track of where you are in the album. It can be really easy to get caught up in those guitar riffs and overlook the cool background effects that are mixed in with the tracks.

I completely understand why they chose “Ympyrä Joka Syö Itseään” as the first single and “Välikappale” as the second one. These two tracks really shine and have a fantastic structure when you compare them to the other songs on the album. I really enjoy the bridge section in “Välikappale.” It adds a unique twist to the genre and definitely shows some boldness. I’m really excited to see more of this!

“Asiat Jotka On Tähtiin Kirjoitettu” really stood out to me on the album. The complexity, the dynamic sound, and the stylistic choices really make an impression. I really dig how it starts with a big build-up and has that icy guitar riff that seems to be reaching out for some support.

So, just like the first album, this new one maintains that intense and grim vibe that the debut had, but honestly, it didn’t really hit the mark for me this time. The whole story feels a bit flat, like it’s missing some energy. It feels like each track stands on its own and doesn’t quite connect with the rest of the album.

Track list:

1. Palaneiden Kasvojen Maa
2. Ympyrä Joka Syö Itseään
3. Kameleontti
4. Aurinkoroihun Kirous
5. Välikappale
6. Asiat Jotka On Tähtiin Kirjoitettu
7. Sinä Vastaat Teoistasi
8. Korvessa On Kotini
9. Kun Kaikki Muu Vaikenee