Vainaja

Vainaja is a three-headed metal band from Finland. Taking influences from early 90's death metal and doom,

Where lies the root that breeds evil? The ancient question is answered by the Finnish death doom metal group Vainaja with their latest release "Kiviristi" (a Finnish word meaning ”Stone Cross”). This EP unveils a story published in two parts, with the unnamed second EP to be released in the future.

Based on traditional 19th century Finnish lore, “Kiviristi” continues the malicious story of the Church of Vainaja. "Kiviristi" adds a prequel to Vainaja’s previous concept albums ”Kadotetut" (2014) and ”Verenvalaja" (2016). These albums were based on found writings by Wilhelm Waenaa, the malicious preacher leading an unholy cult and ultimately burnt to death inside his own church.

The prequel story of ”Kiviristi” sparks from recent findings in the Finnish Forest Registry. Dating back to the 19th century, found files portray woodland locations with evidence of human sacrifice. Finnish tradition involves an item called Kiviristi with magical capabilities. Kindred to ancient pagan cultures, certain rituals were believed to have shown their conductor path to the Netherworld. The cost for such enchantment employed ritualistic murder.

"Kiviristi" discloses the possible events that converted a local man of God to one of the most feared characters in the Nordic occult history.