“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever.” – George Orwell, 1984
That’s what Kürøishi’s new album Egocide of the Warmad sounds like. Relentless. Merciless. Oulu, Finland’s flagship d-beat hardcore punk band Kürøishi return with their fourth LP, Egocide of the Warmad, slated for a February 28th release via Break The Records (Japan, CD), Fight Records (Finland, vinyl), and SPHC Records (North America, vinyl).
By now, their signature blend of Tragedy-influenced hardcore is well known. Big, sweeping guitar solos sit atop dense, brooding riffs, all propelled by an unstoppable rhythmic drive. It’s the same bleak Scandinavian energy that spawned Wolfbrigade and Unkind. But where some bands just rewrite the same album again and again, Kürøishi refuse to stagnate. Their core sound remains intact, but each record pushes into new territory. Egocide of the Warmad is no different.
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Just check the frantic anxiety of Turhautumisen liekki, or the black metal-infused blasts of Egocide of the Warmad. The creeping arpeggios and spoken word on Aivojen käsijarru bring an eerie tension, while the soaring, melodic backing vocals in Kun tiedostat virheesi add a new emotional weight. This is Kürøishi at their sharpest, refusing to recycle tired ideas and instead forging an album that stands apart from its predecessors.
The album was mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door Mastering and recorded, mixed, and produced by Esa Juujärvi. The artwork once again comes from the hands of Akihiko “Sugi” Sugimoto, whose illustrations have been a staple of Kürøishi’s aesthetic since their first album.
Some of the first ideas for Egocide of the Warmad date back to the writing sessions for Käärme sisälläsi, myrkyttää maailmani in 2021. Over three years, those early sketches evolved, refined through constant effort. This time, the band brought in Esa Juujärvi as an external producer, a first for them. Esa, known for his work with Onsegén Ensemble and Black Crucifixion, pushed the band into new sonic territories. Recorded throughout the summer of 2024 across various locations in Oulu, the album came together in Esa’s home studio, where his fresh perspective helped introduce unexpected elements. The result is an album that feels both unmistakably Kürøishi and yet distinct from anything they’ve done before.
With their U.S. West Coast tour wrapping up in late 2023, the band took a year-long break from live shows, focusing instead on writing and personal projects. But that time away wasn’t just about music.
For Ilari, in particular, it was a year of personal loss, and Kanashimi was born out of that grief. It is the most emotionally raw song on the album, a testament to the catharsis that heavy music can provide.
Now, after a year of silence, Kürøishi return with an album shaped by loss, reflection, and the unyielding need to push forward. This is Egocide of the Warmad.
Egocide of the Warmad track-by-track breakdown (by vocalist Kai Jaakkola):
1. Egocide of the Warmad
Kai: The opening track which we knew was going to set the tone for the rest of the album, a statement against war and environmental destruction. It’s fast, it’s heavy, and it hits like a hammer to the kneecap. One of the first songs we made for this album.
2. Turhautumisen liekki
Kai: Frustration is the fuel that drives this track. Lyrically, it’s about the despair of witnessing societal and personal collapse. The riffs here come from a more garagerock kind of place
3. Salvation is Absent
Kai: An ode to existential dread. There is a lurking fear lingering all the while some hope keeps you sane, but the structure shifts between chaos and melody, echoing the uncertainty of our times. One of my favorites to play live maybe?
4. Helvetet Skriker
Kai: A Swedish-language track that pays homage to the Scandinavian d-beat legacy. One of our rawest and most direct songs on the album. When hell is your home and your parents are the insane abusers.
5. Kun tiedostat virheesi
Kai: The realization of one’s mistakes can be both liberating and crushing. Also one of those “check yourself before you wreck yourself” tracks. This song balances aggression with a surprisingly melancholic lead section. Nice that we had our friend’s children to participate with the choir and spoken parts. KÜRØISHI is for children!
6. Kanashimi -悲しみ-
Kai: The title means “sorrow” in Japanese.
7. Kolkko maisema
Kai: a song about people these days being so detached from nature it’s scary, not respecting it, its power and healing force. Cold landscapes, both metaphorical and literal. We wanted this track to feel like a winter storm—unrelenting and unforgiving.
Vellu from Hero Dishonest contributed with some fine interpretation of lyrical poetry.
8. Ei ole mitään
Kai: There is nothing left after we pass away, hopefully we get to the place of our dreams. A classic structure with some black metal sprinkled on top.
9. Warhead! Warhead!
Kai: A straightforward anti-war anthem, the energy on this track is relentless and comes from the japanese Burning spirits school. Well most of the songs come from there, which we respect and value the highest.
10. Paniikki
Kai: Panic, paranoia, the modern condition. The fear of losing everything yet choosing to take the step into further addiction, just one more fix and tomorrow I’ll stop. a bastard to beat.
11. Aivojen käsijarru
Kai: the Ending track is somewhat classic for us, doesn’t go too far off the beaten track but adds something different and new for us.
A song about mental health.
Step into dystopia. Hear the boot strike. Feel its power. This is Egocide of the Warmad.
Kürøishi consists of Kai Jaakkola (vocals), Ilari Kinnunen (lead guitar), Ville Jylhä (guitar), Jani Kaarlela (bass), and Timo Lindholm (drums).
