HOKKA – ‘Via Miseria IV’

(Nuclear Blast)

There’s something deeply satisfying about an album that knows exactly what it wants to be. No identity crisis, no trend-chasing, no desperate attempts to reinvent a wheel that was already rolling just fine. Via Miseria IV, the latest release from HOKKA, lands squarely in that category. It's a record that embraces gothic romance, dark alternative rock, and emotional melodrama with both arms wide open, delivering a collection of songs that feel like they were born beneath neon-lit rainstorms and written in the margins of old love letters.

From the opening moments, HOKKA establish an atmosphere that remains remarkably consistent throughout the album. There’s a strong sense of mood and aesthetic here, with every element serving the same emotional vision. Fans of early-to-mid 2000’s European rock will immediately feel at home. The band's sound frequently recalls the melancholic grandeur of HIM, while also carrying shades of The Rasmus' knack for combining darkness with accessibility. Yet despite those obvious touchstones, HOKKA never feel like a tribute act. Instead, they take familiar ingredients and shape them into something that feels genuine and personal.

One of the album’s greatest strengths is its commitment to melody. Even at its heaviest or darkest moments, Via Miseria IV never loses sight of the importance of a memorable hook. The choruses arrive with purpose, often lingering long after the songs have ended. There’s an undeniable pop sensibility buried beneath the layers of distortion and gothic atmosphere, and it gives the album a broad appeal that extends beyond traditional hard rock audiences.

Vocally, HOKKA strike an effective balance between vulnerability and confidence. Joel Hokka’s performances carry a sense of emotional authenticity that suits the material perfectly. Rather than relying on excessive theatrics, his vocals communicate heartbreak, longing, desire, and regret in a way that feels believable. There’s a genuine emotional weight running through the record, and it elevates many of the songs beyond simple genre exercises.

Pauli Rantasalmi’s guitar work deserves particular praise. Throughout the album, the riffs are sharp without becoming overly aggressive, while the lead parts frequently add colour and texture rather than simply showing off technical ability. The band understands that atmosphere is just as important as heaviness, and the guitars often function as an extension of the album’s emotional landscape. Whether delivering soaring melodies or darker, moodier passages, they consistently serve the songs first.

The rhythm section also plays a crucial role in shaping the album's identity. The bass and drums provide a solid foundation while allowing the more melodic elements room to breathe. There’s a steady pulse running through the record that keeps everything moving forward, even during its more introspective moments. The production captures this balance well, avoiding the trap of over-polishing the material while still sounding modern and powerful.

What makes Via Miseria IV particularly enjoyable is its sense of cohesion. This is very much an album experience rather than a collection of disconnected songs. The themes of love, loss, obsession, mortality, and emotional conflict appear throughout, creating a unified narrative atmosphere. Even listeners who aren't paying close attention to the lyrics will feel the emotional continuity that links everything together.

At times, the album's dedication to its aesthetic can feel almost nostalgic. There are moments that transport you straight back to the era when bands like HIM, The Rasmus, and several other European alternative rock acts dominated playlists and magazine covers. However, rather than feeling dated, these influences often come across as refreshing. In a modern rock landscape where many artists seem determined to blend genres beyond recognition, there’s something admirable about a band confidently embracing classic gothic rock sensibilities and executing them well.

The album opens with a strong statement of intent. Dark, melodic, and dripping with gothic atmosphere, ‘Blackbird’ immediately establishes the emotional tone of the record while delivering one of its most memorable hooks.

Leaning heavily into the band's HIM-inspired aesthetic, ‘In The Darkness’ balances melancholy and melody beautifully. The chorus has a real sense of lift that contrasts perfectly with the brooding verses.

Romantic despair has always been fertile ground for gothic rock, and HOKKA mine it effectively on ‘Death By Cupid’s Arrow’. The song combines dramatic lyricism with a punchy arrangement that keeps things moving at a brisk pace.

‘Via Miseria’ the title track sits at the emotional centre of the album. Atmospheric and reflective, it showcases the band's ability to create mood without sacrificing accessibility. One of the record's standout moments.

A slightly more direct and immediate track, ‘Heart Said No’ offers a strong blend of emotional vulnerability and arena-sized melody. The songwriting here feels particularly focused and confident.

The intriguingly titled ‘Bon Apetit’ introduces a darker, more sinister edge to the album. There's a playful menace running through the song that adds some welcome variety while maintaining the overall aesthetic.

One of the album's most dramatic pieces, ‘Murder Ballad (Dying Flame)’ embraces theatrical gothic storytelling. The arrangement builds effectively, creating a sense of tension and emotional weight that lingers long after it ends.

‘Angels Fall’ delivers some of the album's strongest atmosphere. The balance between darkness and beauty is handled exceptionally well, resulting in a song that feels both haunting and uplifting.

There's a seductive quality to ‘Serpents Song’ that fits perfectly within the album's themes of temptation and emotional conflict. The band's knack for memorable melodies is once again on full display.

Closing the album on a suitably emotional note, a cover of Seal classic ‘Kiss From A Rose’ serves as a satisfying finale. Rich in atmosphere and melody, it brings together many of the elements that make Via Miseria IV such an enjoyable listen.

If there’s a criticism to be made, it’s that Via Miseria IV occasionally plays things a little too safely. Some listeners may wish for a few more surprises or moments that push beyond the established formula. The album is so focused on maintaining its atmosphere that it rarely ventures outside its comfort zone. Yet for many fans, that consistency will likely be viewed as a strength rather than a weakness. HOKKA clearly know their audience, and they deliver exactly what that audience is looking for.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the record is how naturally everything fits together. Nothing feels forced. The dark romanticism never becomes cartoonish. The emotional themes never descend into self-parody. The melodic hooks never undermine the heavier elements. It’s a delicate balancing act that many bands attempt but few fully achieve.

Ultimately, Via Miseria IV is a strong statement from a band that understands both its influences and its own identity. It captures the heart-on-sleeve emotional intensity that made gothic alternative rock so compelling in the first place while presenting it with enough confidence and sincerity to avoid feeling like a nostalgic retread.

For fans of HIM, The Rasmus, and emotionally charged rock that wears its scars proudly, this is an album well worth spending time with. It may not reinvent the genre, but it doesn’t need to. What HOKKA have created here is a darkly melodic, emotionally resonant record that succeeds through conviction, atmosphere, and a clear understanding of what makes this style of music endure.

7/10

Essential Track – ‘In The Darkness’

Review by Woody