Where Victims Lie | What Was Left Behind EP

June 23rd, 2026 First Quarter Libra EP Released April 22, 2026

Introspection From Melinoe: 

Welcome Ghouls, Demons, and Fellow Wyrd Ones!! Inverse Records sent us a link to check out their Finnish Thrash Metal Band, Where Victims Lie. The Godfather tagged me in, and I have been conducting my ever so chaotic creative process in developing a tale to share. I apologize for my delay, I have a Procrastinator’s Rhythm, an Ambitious Heart, and Mind full of Mayhem. Fashionably Late is better than Never! Which leads us into the Band of the Hour. What is the Tale of Where Victims Lie and their new EP What Was Left Behind?”Let’s discover it together. First and foremost? Finnish Thrash Metal? Sign me up! Secondly, the name of both the Band and the EP? Somehow a Synchronistic Message laid before my path. The titles themselves had me asking myself, Where Do Victims Lie?? And What Was Left Behind?! Most certainly a difficult question to answer, for anyone, regardless of your path and experiences in life. Perhaps these five tracks can shed some light on the answers we seek. 

Where Victims Lie is from Jyväskylä, a town my American tongue does not even want to attempt to speak. The group originally formed in 2000, heavily inspired by modern extreme styles and darker themes like murder. What is more Metal and Finnish than that?! However, from 2000–2010 they had some Structural Roadblocks. Of course, the blockades designed to trial our Hero’s Journey. The band’s initial run was unfortunately turbulent and constantly interrupted by external obligations. The Curse of the Modern World, and the Path to Success. They released their initial Promo 2003 EP, but went on a three year hiatus almost immediately afterwards.  Some members had conflicting priorities with other bands, and the band drama struck again. They reformed in 2006, releasing another Promo 2007, but hit further roadblocks and ultimately disbanded in 2010 without ever releasing a proper full-length album. I can relate heavily to the Stop, Go… Stop, and GOOO!! Tidal waves of pursuing one’s passions. Oftentimes people do not understand the complexity of all the moving parts. I know I sure didn’t when it came to pursuing my passions. I can only imagine the frustration brewing from the relentless resistance the band has experienced thus far. And yet? In 2026 they persevered with a Reunion and Debut! After a 16 year absent hiatus, Where Victims Lie officially reformed in March 2026 with the current active lineup consisting of Teijo Hakkola (Vocals), Jarkko Petosalmi (Guitar), J-V Hintikka (Guitar), Herkko Huttunen (Bass), and Timo Häkkinen (Drums). After getting the band back together, they signed with Inverse Records, and have finally come together to present their official debut studio EP, “What Was Left Behind” on April 22, 2026, breaking their prolonged studio silence. 

Now roll with me boys, because I had to research the instrumental technicalities for accuracy. As I am simply just an angry girl who loves to Thrash around to Heavy music. I could care less about the technicalities of genre boundaries and sounds. I understand the purpose of such passion. I know plenty who engage in the Brutal Wars. I left that battle a long time ago. Nowadays, I tend to listen to the music that crosses my path, or the musings that I am called towards. Give me enough time? And I will choreograph my best Divine Feminine Girly Pop Dance to any Tune I fancy. Including every color of the Metal Spectrum. Give me a SoapBox to announce Music to the Globe? I shall have to take a leap of faith, trust the information I can gather on the Interwebs, and welcome my unnerving Intuition to shine. With that,  What Was Left Behind is a technical masterclass in thrash infused death metal. Arguably characterized by their rapid tempo shifts, complex rhythmic syncopation, and dense harmonic structures. The EP relies heavily on “down tuned guitars” (typically Drop B or C standard) and a highly compressed production style that emphasizes percussive clarity. 

Wow! All of that is absolutely amazing work. I wish I knew what all of that meant on a scientific level. I may be an Artist, but I am not necessarily a Musician. I can play the Piano a bit. I would Love to know instruments more intimately. However, my life around music has always revolved around the poetry of the lyrics, the triumph of the success story, and the Tale behind the process of Inspiration. Music is not a scientific skillset to me. Music is more of an Art form, or a Craft of Human Emotion. Which I would argue is Rooted in all Science. Different Strokes for Different Folks. We all have our own superpowers when it comes to these mediums. My mind operates differently when it comes to music. Oftentimes I feel like a fraud, or perhaps as if I do not know enough to be the Music Journalist I am. I love all that I learn when diving into new Bands. Hoping the technical messaging of facts will help lead those who desire that outlet to the right groups. Otherwise? Allow my emotion to guide you to the discovery of a song, an album, a band, or an artist. 

Emotionally? The band explores themes of psychological torment and personal destruction. Themes we can all relate to one way or another. Possibly the self destruction that created the blockages along their path to this album release? I can only imagine, and project my personal relation, to such themes along my path to success within my artistry. Insecurity, trauma, and the lot of it… All baggage carried, and dragged with me to where I was desiring to go. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a common experience amongst all of us creative beings. Life and all her self imposed obligations can surely weigh us down, drown us to rest at the bottom of the sea. However, if Pinocchio implanted any seeds of Wisdom? It does not matter how long you stay in the Whale, as long as you never give up, and eventually find your way out. As long as you cut ties, or make peace, from that which holds you back. And allow the Gnosis of such experiences to assist your rise to the surface! 

As an American Woman with the most random correlations between bands? I would compare Where Victims Lie to Slayer, Exodus, Sepultura, Kreator, Possessed, Toxic Holocaust, and Evile. Will that upset some keyboard warrior doom-sludge metal bros? I am absolutely sure! Do I care? No. I am literally just a Girl in the Metal World. And Where Victims Lie has my vote to Live, Love and Thrash on Metal Island! I encourage you all to scope out the new EP! It was a long time coming, and not another second needs to be wasted sleeping on this phenomenal band of Finnish Metalheads. I look forward to future music! May we free ourselves from all the Binds us. May we never give up, and persevere to the bitter end for our dreams. No matter how long it takes! 

Live Deliciously. Love Authentically. And Always, Stay Wyrd!
-Melinoe Macaria Mourningstar