Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Turmion Kätilöt - USCH! (2009)

The first two Turmion Katilot albums brought their sound to great heights, but there ended up being some trouble between the band and Spinefarm Records over the income. The band sued Spinefarm and settled the lawsuit, LEGAL END OF STORY. They were then signed to a different label, Raha Records, to make a free downloadable mini-album U.S.C.H! in 2008. The next year, it was released as a full physical edition adding 3 new tracks, and it overtook Pirun Nyrkki in the Finnish charts by a close second.

U.S.C.H! stands for Ultimate Synthetic Corrosion Helter-Skelter. The album is slightly stronger than Pirun Nyrkki, bringing back a bit of the perfect glory of Hoitovirhe as they continue their industrial metal blend. You can never forget the rhythm! This band can do what other modern industrial metal bands can't.

"Vuosi 2008" (Year 2008) is a weird yet interesting intro, filled with distortion in everything. One other band that can go all out experimental like that is Candiria. Now this might shock some of you, but the title track is my least favorite song here. They seem to go the Bohemian Rhapsody route lyrically with nonsensical words, and it seems odd when this song is filled with bizarre darkness and Rammstein-level weirdness. The greatness of the album starts in "Pakanamaan kartta" (Map of Pagan Land).

"Kuolleitten laulu" (The Song of the Dead) is another spooky interlude. A strange assortment of laughing noises start another brilliant highlight, "Paha musta veri" (Evil Black Blood). "Minä määrään" (I Command) is another excellent song that never disappoints.

"Destination Hades" is the third interlude, though it's more of a short song with some distorted vocals. "Kuoleman päivä" is the greatest highlight in the original edition of the album. The industrial metal sound is rightfully balanced. "Arise" continues the Drop C riffing that almost makes me think of melodic metalcore bands like Miss May I, but the sound is still firmly industrial metal. Their cover of the Kikka hit "Shuttle to Venus" blasts along in catchy fun.

The physical edition's extra tracks start with "Hades" which emphasizes 8-bit-style electro-industrial and traditional Finnish singing in the first half for a jaw-dropping good time. "Alternative Ending for Your U.S.C.H!" is a brief synth interlude, but the full album doesn't end there... My favorite song in the entire full album is the closing "Million Dollar Business". The lyrics target Spinefarm Records with a big "scr*w you" to the business that tried to f*** with their signed band. Proud lyrics and aggressive music show that nothing can go wrong with their fired-up rant.

U.S.C.H! wraps up the band's amazing 2000s streak. Anyone who's a fan of industrial metal has to get the starting trilogy of Turmion Katilot. Whether you wanna download it or buy it, this album is all yours!

Favorites: "Pakanamaan kartta", "Paha musta veri", "Minä määrään", "Kuoleman päivä", "Shuttle to Venus", "Million Dollar Business"