Kaikki Kaikkia Vastaan

Review Score: 8.0

Reviewed By: Johnny Ibay

Finnish O.G. hardcore punk legends Terveet Kädet are back from the grave with their latest release Kaikki kaikkia vastaan, which translates to “All Against All”. After nearly four decades of being active Terveet Kädet decided to call it quits in 2016. Luckily opinions changed, decisions were unmade and the band pumped out this slab of raw power and unrelenting energy.

Maintaining their classic Scandinavian d-beat/old-school hardcore style with a hint of thrash metal similar to the bands alter ego Lapin Helvetti, Terveet Kädet has once again established themselves as the kings of Finnish hardcore. The album opens with ‘Verenperintö’, a track that sets the tone for the rest of the album with raging d-beats, pissed off vocals and even a ripping solo. From there, the album continues to pummel us with more fast and pissed d-beat alongside some mid-tempo moshers like ‘Haaskalintu’ and ‘Saatanan hylk​ä​ä​mä’.

The production on the album is clear and heavy, sounding more like a modern metal production rather than your typical raw d-beat recorded-in-the-jamspace type of production. The guitars sound heavy, the drums are fast and tight and the vocals are PISSED. What more could you want from this kind of band. The solos on this are also absolutely on point.

As per usual with Terveet Kädet, the lyrics are all in Finnish and deal with the dark and twisted themes of modern society, exploring topics such as corruption, oppression, and the struggle for survival. The lyrics are bleak and uncompromising, a reflection of the band’s worldview and their unwavering commitment to speaking truth to power.

In conclusion, Terveet Kädet‘s Kaikki kaikkia vastaan is a must-listen for anyone who loves classic old-school hardcore, d-beat or the punkier side of crossover thrash. I don’t know what’s in the water over there in Scandinavia but as far as this style of raging hardcore no other part of the world seems to hold a candle to how they do it. This stands shoulder to shoulder with all of the other Scandinavian hardcore greats like Riistetyt, Kaaos, Anti- Cimex, Rattus and Shitlickers. These guys aren’t reinventing the wheel, nor would I want that from them.