SIELUE – Askel tyhjyyteen, CD

In the secluded wilderness of northeastern Finland, a solitary journey has taken shape. Sielue, the latest endeavour of multi-instrumentalist Janne Posti (Häxkapell, Sons of Crom), marks a profound return to his musical roots, as he steps beyond his metal and classical foundations to explore the realm of dark acoustic folk.

“Askel tyhjyyteen” (‘A Step Into Emptiness’) is a collection of diverse songs woven together by themes of life and death. Drawing on his classical training in piano, vocals, composition, and arrangement, Janne crafts intricate melodies where acoustic guitar and piano take centre stage.

The album captures the desolation and solitude of the wilderness surrounding Posti’s family cabin, embodying autumn winds, dense fog, and the haunting resonance of a freezing lake – the ‘singing ice’ recorded shortly after his initial writing session on All Hallow’s Eve in 2022. Song structures range from traditional verse-chorus formats to linear compositions, reflecting Janne’s eclectic musical background across metal, rock, pop, jazz, folk, and classical genres.

“Askel tyhjyyteen” is more than an album; it is a personal testament and a spiritual journey. It invites listeners to embrace the longing for another plane of existence and the beauty found in the acceptance of mortality. In stepping into emptiness, Sielue embarks on a journey that doesn’t end at the grave but begins there – into the winds of the cosmos, guided by swans through a portal to a place of peace and fulfilment.

Artwork and layout by Sol Rydius and Thomas Väänänen.

Tracklist (with translations):

1 – Marrasaamun kyyneleet (‘A Dead November Morning’s Tears’)
2 – Haudasta alaspäin (‘Downwards from the Grave’)
3 – Ensilumi (‘First Snow’)
4 – Aava maa (‘Vast, Wide-Open Land’)
5 – Sateessa sieluni vaeltaa (‘In the Rain, my Soul Wanders’)
6 – Unesta elämän (‘From the Dream of Life’)
7 – Havuarkku (‘Casket of Pine Needles’)
8 – Askel tyhjyyteen (‘The Step into Nothingness’)