Finnish melodic black metal outfit Verilehto have unleashed “Virvatulet”, the second single from their forthcoming second album, Aarnihauta. The album is scheduled for release on November 28th, 2025, via Inverse Records, and can be pre-ordered now.
“Virvatulet” serves as the closing track for the new album. Vocalist Janne Partanen shared his thoughts on the song: “The closing track of the album, ‘Virvatulet’, has been one of my favorites from the start. It eases off the gas pedal and gives room for the story. During the making of the album, I read a lot about old Finnish mythology and the lyrics of this song were among the first I wrote for the album. This song really shows the core of Verilehto. Beautifully wandering guitars, cries of pain and a gripping atmosphere. A magnificent conclusion to the album, which is why it was chosen as the second single.”
Verilehto performs a style of black metal reminiscent of the Finnish scene of the 1990s, defined by its melodic yet aggressive riffs, raw vocal delivery, and an eerie atmosphere. The band’s lyrics, inspired by Finnish folklore, complement a sound that varies from fast blast beats to more measured, storytelling sections.
The upcoming album sees the band’s lineup strengthened with the addition of Markus Räppiö (Kaira) on bass. The full lineup now consists of Janne Partanen on vocals, Janne Tuikkala on guitars, drums, and synths, and Markus Räipiö on bass and backing vocals.
Aarnihauta, which translates as “hidden grave in the forest”, sees the band continue to evolve from their debut, Kuoleman Siipien Havina, by focusing on their own unique style. The album was recorded by the band themselves during 2024 and 2025, retaining a raw quality to the production. The striking album artwork was created by Awinita Alm.
The track listing for Aarnihauta is as follows:
- Surutta Tapettu
- Nälänhätä
- Aarnihauta
- Kalman Sotajuokko
- Tuhkaverho
- Syöjätär
- Virvatulet
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