Klashtal: Finnish Solo Project, Announces Debut Album ‘Oblivion Dreams’

In an announcement that has captured the attention of the underground electronic and dark ambient music scenes, the Finnish musical project Klashtal has officially revealed its debut full-length album, ‘Oblivion Dreams.’ The album is slated for a worldwide release on November 28 through the Finnish label Inverse Records. Klashtal is the solo endeavor of the notably prolific multi-instrumentalist Jesse Heikkinen, created as a dedicated outlet for his atmospheric, synthesizer-driven compositions. This forthcoming record represents a significant milestone for the project, promising a deep dive into the artist’s singular sonic vision.

The announcement was made concurrently with the release of the album’s first single, ‘Uncharted Cry.’ The track has been made available for listening on major streaming platforms. This record marks the first full-length release for the Klashtal project, which previously issued a two-track EP in 2022 and a single in late 2023.

Jesse Heikkinen, The Artist

Klashtal is the creation of Jesse Heikkinen, a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Oulu, Finland, who is now based in Tampere. His career is defined by his participation in a wide variety of musical projects that span numerous and often disparate genres, establishing a pattern of broad musical exploration.

Heikkinen was the lead guitarist for the prominent Finnish group Hexvessel, a band known for its “forest-folk” sound that incorporates psychedelic pop, pagan folk, and elements of black metal. He is credited on albums such as ‘All Tree’ (2019) and ‘Kindred’ (2020). He is also a primary songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist in the band The Abbey. That group’s sound is identified as progressive doom metal with pronounced influences from 1970s psychedelic and progressive rock.

In addition to his collaborative work, Heikkinen maintains another solo project, Iterum Nata. Under this name, he creates atmospheric and darkly melodic music in the neofolk and progressive folk genres. Iterum Nata has a discography of multiple albums, including ‘The Course of Empire’ (2018) and ‘Trench of Loneliness’ (2023).

His extensive body of work also includes credits with the industrial metal act King Satan (performing as Dalai Daimonicus), the hip-hop/funk group Funksons, and other ventures ranging from extreme metal to children’s music.

The Klashtal project was reportedly initiated as a specific channel for Heikkinen’s ambient compositions. This represents a deliberate artistic move into the dungeon synth and darkwave genres, a sonic territory not covered by his other established musical entities. The use of distinct monikers for different stylistic explorations allows each project to maintain a focused and uncompromised artistic identity.

Prior to the announcement of ‘Oblivion Dreams,’ Klashtal’s discography consisted of the two-track ‘Kailash’ EP, released in 2022, and a single ‘In Liquid Mirrors,’ which was released in late 2023.

‘Oblivion Dreams,’ The Debut Album

The musical direction of ‘Oblivion Dreams’ ventures into a sonic territory that merges the introspective atmospheres of dungeon synth, the melancholic tones of darkwave, and the serene qualities of new age music. The album is composed of material that is dark, dreamlike, and meditative in nature.

The record is designed to create an immersive experience, guiding the listener through the desolate beauty of a post-apocalyptic landscape, exploring the ruins of a lost world where the echoes of humanity have all but faded away.

All music on the album was written, performed, recorded, and produced by Jesse Heikkinen, positioning Klashtal as a project centered on a singular artistic vision.

The record features a guest contribution from the American musician Thomas Cowgill, who performs on a Moog synthesizer. Cowgill is known professionally as King Dude and has an established career in the neofolk and dark Americana genres.

His discography includes albums such as ‘Love’ (2011), ‘Burning Daylight’ (2012), and ‘Sex’ (2016), which fuse elements of alt-country, apocalyptic folk, and gothic rock. While the genres associated with King Dude and Klashtal are distinct, they share aesthetic sensibilities rooted in dark and atmospheric themes, often appealing to overlapping audiences within underground music communities. The inclusion of an artist with Cowgill’s profile on a debut album in a related niche genre is a notable creative choice.

The full tracklist for ‘Oblivion Dreams’ has been made public. The album opens with ‘Remembrance,’ followed by the lead single, ‘Uncharted Cry.’ The subsequent tracks are ‘The Way Home,’ ‘Virgin Feather,’ ‘The Water Remembers,’ and ‘Moonbow,’ with the album concluding on the final track, ‘Destruction.’

The Lead Single, ‘Uncharted Cry’

The lead single, ‘Uncharted Cry,’ is presented with a specific narrative framework. The song is framed as a dark and hypnotic journey through the narrator’s mind, a pilgrimage that leads to a gradual unveiling of mystery, ultimately revealing unsettling truths about past atrocities.

The track’s musical composition is founded on a meditative, pulsing rhythm, over which sinister synthesizer textures are layered. This instrumentation suggests a structure reliant on a consistent, hypnotic beat that underpins a developing texture of electronic sounds. The progression of the song appears to mirror its narrative arc.

An introduction likely establishes the core rhythmic pulse, creating the hypnotic base. Following this, layered synthesizers are introduced and developed, building atmospheric tension that corresponds to the narrative’s journey. The arrangement then logically shifts or builds to a crescendo, signifying the story’s climax as the mystery is finally unraveled.

The piece would likely conclude by returning to its foundational meditative pulse, reflecting the aftermath of the revealed information. The track was written, performed, recorded, and produced entirely by Jesse Heikkinen. No specific recording studio or location has been publicly named in connection with the production.

Conclusion

The upcoming release of ‘Oblivion Dreams’ on November 28 marks a pivotal moment for Klashtal, the solo venture of the multifaceted Finnish musician Jesse Heikkinen.

With the lead single, ‘Uncharted Cry,’ already introducing audiences to the album’s dark, synthesizer-driven soundscape, the full-length record is poised to be a significant addition to the dungeon synth and darkwave genres.

As Klashtal’s formal debut through Inverse Records, and with pre-orders available for digital and CD formats, the album stands as a highly anticipated event for both followers of Heikkinen’s diverse musical career and enthusiasts of atmospheric electronic music.