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We’re still in Finland fellow Otaku & Metalheads!
To be honest, I’m not surprised at how consistent the quality of so many bands from this part of the world is. From top acts, to more niche favorites, this frosty nation always hits the mark! Same with the subject of today’s review, and given the name of the band in question, they’re also no strangers to this little part of the internet. For a little over 20 years, Turmion Kätilöt has been hitting the European concert scene pretty hard, and they know how to make a splash! Even in a plague ridden year like 2020, they still managed to release a monster record. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy my review for Global Warning. Let’s begin!
Background
Upon it’s release in 2018, Universal Satan was the proving ground for new band member Shag-U, who replaced longtime member Spellgoth after he left the year prior. After settling in rather nicely with everybody else, the band entered the studio in 2019 to record their ninth studio album, which would be titled Global Warning. It’s kind or ironic the record would be called that, as it would be released on April the 17th in 2020 of all times. There was a single bright spot in all of this: Turmion Kätilöt would be signed to Nuclear Blast Records, which for the first time ever gave them a fanbase that was massively bigger than what came before, and a presence within the United States.
Basic Description
Disco Metal.
Okay, so Global Warning, and everything else Turmion Kätilöt has done before & after this release, isn’t Disco Metal in the traditional sense. Everything they’ve released is full blown Industrial Metal, with equal part metallic instrumentation & industrial sounds and effects, but the “Disco Metal” label is more of a spiritual identity. Global Warning is the kind of album you play in a dance club, it energizes people, and it’s either make people headbang, dance, or a mix of the two. Hell, you could even play this record in a rave bar or other musical venue, and you might get a similar reaction!
Best Track
Sano Kun Riittää, or Say Enough translated from Finnish, is a bit of a creeper at first. There’s soft vocal work, gentle-ish guitar, & xylophone playing at the beginning, and it’s actually pretty eerie. Once the intro is passed, it goes straight into the metal & louder singing, and it hits like a giant freight truck. Even during the harder parts, it never loses the horror-like atmosphere that was created in the opening. It’s definitely a highlight of Global Warning, and a tune you shouldn’t skip!
Sano Kun Riittää (Say Enough)
Worst Track
Really Global Warning’s own fault lies with the language barrier. Outside of some rare exceptions, Turmion Kätilöt have sung completely in Finnish. Unless you know the language really well (Or know where to find lyric translations), you’re likely not going to connect with it as much as someone from Finland, or Europe by extension. With the band now under the Nuclear Blast label for a few years now, their name has more recognition than it once did, and maybe things might change.
Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, then click on the link below:
Global Warning
One quick note: I found it ironic that back in 2020, the band released an album called Global Warning. Given what 2025 has been like so far here in the United States & the rest of the world, perhaps it should have been saved for this year instead!
Overall Impression & Rating
Global Warning continues to show that Turmion Kätilöt are an Industrial Metal force of nature, a well as a prime example of how fantastic Heavy Metal from Finland can be. Sure, the Finnish language can be daunting for some, but even if you can’t get past it, you’ve got the instrumentation & vocal work to carry you from the beginning to the end.....and it’s some damn fine instrumentation & vocals, btw.
Global Warning gets an 8.5 out of 10.
And that was my look at Global Warning, and the conclusion of my look at the no. 4 albums of 2020. Despite the language barrier that’s in place, it’s still relatable to any metalhead through instrumentation alone. With that, we’re now onto part 3, and things are going to get a little Goth. See you all in March!
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