S-TOOL – Exitus

Label: Playground Music
Releasedate: 15-05-2020

In 2017 S-Tool released their debut album “Tolerance 0”. The band, fronted by Ville Laihiala(Poisonblack, Sentenced), has returned this year with a new album. It is called “Exitus” and is out now.

With crowdfunding and the help of a Finnish radio station S-tool’s first saw light. For this latest one the band did not need to ask for help publicly. After doing a lot of live shows with “Tolerance 0” the band has now set themselves a name. During our interview in 2017 we discussed the Swedish sound like Entombed brings as an influence. Much of what comes out nowadays is more polished than that and S-tool has felt more devoted to a more raw approach. They top it with some groove.

With “Exitus” they seem to have taken this a step further. While opener “Motherfucker” is straightforward, in-your-face it are the songs later on this album that highlight that even more. Going towards the song “F.O.S. (Gutting The Pig)” which carries some lyrics that speak out a lot of frustration on how religion is integrated in the world. But above all, by now you come to the point where you realize this album is even more driven on the instrumental part.

The balance between each instrument is key here. Guitars are giving you a toss on the chain around your neck, to stick with it. Vehement, pay attention! However, one of the key elements are actually the drums. Interesting, not always choosing the obvious path they contribute a more substantial part to S-TOOL’s sound than one would think when listening first time.

The albums ends with “Body Bag”, where eventually a lot will end. So in their song, the way they slow it down until it really fades out makes me smile for its metaphor. “We are going down” vocalist Ville sings. Well, in the end we all.

“Exitus” is the album one expected and yet did not expect from S-TOOL. Who followed Laihiala’s work before has a recognizable sound, heavier than ever. But if “Tolerance 0” was the point of reference this album shows a band that has taken it a step further. Defining it a bit different. One may want to listen to the album a couple of times also, as it grows when you give it some more spins. Usually, we would suggest that seeing it live makes the difference with albums like this, but with the current situation in the world the strategy we suggest is simply more spins to get the most of it.
Alternatively, you buy a ticket to the band’s releaseshow which will be a stream. You can get tickets here

Line up:

Kimmo Hiltunen – Bass
Aksu Hanttu – Drums
Sami Leppikangas – Guitars
Ville Laihiala – Vocals (lead), Guitars

1. Motherfucker
2. St. Bastard
3. F.O.S. (Gutting the Pig)
4. Hole
5. The Inhumanist
6. Ego Cancer
7. I Hate Yourself
8. The Killing Floor
9. Body Bag

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