Cardinals Folly are one of the steadiest names in Finnish traditional doom metal, active since 2007 (or 2004, as The Coven). Their seventh full-length “Let the Posers Fall!” finds them taking a more direct heavy metal stance, keeping their narrative element and putting the riff at the center — on one of their strongest and best-put-together albums to date.
Country: Finland
Genre: Heavy Metal / Doom Metal
For fans of: Pentagram, Saint Vitus, Cirith Ungol
The listen
“Hitch-Hike” opens the record with one of the band’s heaviest galloping passages, while the title track “Let the Posers Fall!” follows with an anthemic, Pentagram-like 80s metal — Count Karnstein on vocals and bass shows his fast finesse. “New York Ripper” is the most characteristic single, and “I Am the Zodiac” one of the best tracks on the record, with a dark march inspired by crime and mystery.
In the second half, Cardinals Folly turn to the more surreal: “Your Stallions are Burning” is among the best when it comes to the shift to traditional heavy metal, “Cultist Highway” lets the doom in without losing intensity, while “Luchador” and the closer “Providence” find their groove over time. The addition of new guitarist Cosmic Doom (Pohjoinen, ex-Spiralism) brings fresh air to their sound.
Their music remains full of personality: 80s doom, doses of extremity, familiar references to horror/giallo and the occult, and a heavy metal stance that has you coming back for another listen. A record that those who love the genre will enjoy — from attendees of festivals like Up The Hammers to those searching for the traditional sound.
See also
METAL UNION FESTIVAL AGRINIO 2026 · Entombed – Left Hand Path
