Review: Wruen - Waves (2026)

Band: Wruen
Album: Waves
Genre: Black Metal / Atmospheric Black Metal
Country: Finland
Label: Independent
Date: February 13th, 2026

Introduction:

Emerging from the frozen landscapes of Jyväskylä, Wruen is a one-man black metal project that recently pierced the underground with its debut full-length, Waves. While the identity behind the project remains largely shrouded in the cold Finnish mist, the music speaks with a terrifying clarity.

Track Listing:

1. Alkoi aikansa
2. Messiah of Madness
3. Varjossa porttien
4. Winter's Breath
5. Tuhkankulkija
6. Waves

The Album:

Wruen’s debut, Waves, is a wretched exploration of disharmonic shreddery. While the chord structures evoke the evil atmosphere of early Tenebrae in Perpetuum, the architectural complexity here is far more advanced. Unlike that Italian influence, Waves keeps the spirit of traditional Finnish Black Metal front and center. It is a masterclass in movement, mostly confined to narrow ranges that rely on nasty, dissonant chord resolutions and half-step alterations to build and release tension like a strobe light. ​To visualize this sound, imagine extracting the DSBM elements from Afsky’s Ofte jeg drømmer mig død, cranking up the tempo, and making it darker and more melodic without sacrificing atmosphere. Packaged in a hideous onslaught of Finland’s signature chromatic riffing and cyclical minor chords, the result is designed to rip the listener’s feet off the ground and engulf them in a tornadic hailstorm. ​Waves is a pleasant reminder of how new music can feel familiar yet entirely original. The vocals bear a striking resemblance to the tortured delivery on the aforementioned Afsky record (or perhaps the harshness of Paara), but the songwriting moves at a significantly faster pace. The drumming and overall composition are equally impressive, providing a constant barrage of unforgiving battery. ​It would be inaccurate to call this record "heavy." Instead, the first word that comes to mind is hideous in all the right ways. Listening to Waves is like exposing one's consciousness to a rotating column of granulated hailstones. It elevates the emotions like a wind-sail gracefully ripped from the earth, only to be shredded by a blizzardly cataclysm. ​The opening track, and my personal favorite, "Alkoi aikansa," perfectly captures this aesthetic. There is no room for traditional headbanging here; the music demands a rhythmic, lateral movement that follows the stampede of snare hits, feeling less like a groove and more like being electrocuted. ​The contrast between the guitars, drums, and vocals is exceptional. It packs every necessary ingredient to justify raising a "kvlt claw" toward the sky. Wruen has delivered a deluge of particles, a tree-shredder of an album that consumes everything in its path.

Conclusion:

Each time I put this record on, I find it to be a euphoric, thrilling ride. While the introduction is incredibly strong, the energy eventually tapers off into a more atmospheric style of Black Metal. Though it still captures the mood, much of the album offers less cathartic intensity than the opening track, feeling more "soothing" in the way faster-paced atmospheric metal tends to be. ​That said, my second favorite song, "Varjossa porttien," is easily one of the strongest tracks. It features several head-turning moments that rival the grip of the first song, staying relentless until the clean guitar break. ​The shift in intensity isn't a negative; the entire record remains thoroughly captivating. It is perfect for horror-themed drawing and writing, or simply for listening on repeat. I give this an 8.5/10. The first song has timeless replay value, and I have frequently found myself looping the entire album since its release.

BMZ Rating: 8.5/10

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