Review HOKKA “Via Misera IV”

Hokka is the brainchild of Joel Hokka (formerly of Blind Channel), who has formed a new band with former The Rasmus guitarist Pauli Rantasalmi and drummer Jimi Aslak.

This three-piece band is embarking on a journey through the world of dark and melancholic rock. The title of Hokka’s debut album is “Via Miseria IV”, which will be released in April. The album includes ten songs, and fans of bands like H.I.M. and The Rasmus can dust off their dark eyeliner.

Hokka plays dark rock with a gothic vibe, beginning with “Blackbird”. This pulsating track is the perfect introduction to an album that explores themes of love, sweet revenge, and hurt feelings. The song has already received an impressive number of streams and views on YouTube, which shows that it strikes a chord with modern-day kids.

Deeply melancholic songs like “Death by Cupid’s Arrow”, with lyrics like “no tomorrow”, aren’t exactly bursting with optimism. The darkness of the human soul pushes clouds in front of the sun, while sugar-sweet melodies give the album an attractive feel, which also goes for the gloomy cover version of Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose”.

‘Via Miseria IV’ isn’t a musical revolution. Rather, it reflects the heavy-hearted spirit of today through more conventional music. Bigger, synth-supported soundscapes meet a dramatic mood that leaves no room for unexpected moments. However, it is the perfect album for avoiding sunshine and is more like a musical sunblocker. It’s nice, but not special.