Review: HOKKA — Via Miseria IV (2026)
Inside the nostalgic sonic labyrinth built from bittersweet memories and an unyielding artistic spirit
The LP released this Friday impressed me not only with its musical component and the sheer variety of material it managed to encompass—especially considering there are only ten tracks—but also with the powerful, soulful, and fascinating vocals of Joel Hokka.
One could try to talk endlessly about how his past paths diverged, but in Via Miseria IV, Joel has found his opportunity to create independently.
Thus, Hokka is the brainchild of Joel, guitarist Pauli Rantasalmi, and drummer Jimi Aslak. By the way, the very fact of Pauli's involvement in this album is clearly audible; his signature riffs, musical techniques, and hooks break through from time to time, yet this does not make Via Miseria IV any less impressive.
In my opinion, the album turned out to be highly nostalgic, possessing a radio-friendly vibe without any attempts to make it artificially heavy for the sake of mainstream “rockiness.” It embodies a deep sense of longing, which, according to its creators, became its fundamental core.
One could try to talk endlessly about how his past paths diverged, but in Via Miseria IV, Joel has found his opportunity to create independently.
Thus, Hokka is the brainchild of Joel, guitarist Pauli Rantasalmi, and drummer Jimi Aslak. By the way, the very fact of Pauli's involvement in this album is clearly audible; his signature riffs, musical techniques, and hooks break through from time to time, yet this does not make Via Miseria IV any less impressive.
In my opinion, the album turned out to be highly nostalgic, possessing a radio-friendly vibe without any attempts to make it artificially heavy for the sake of mainstream “rockiness.” It embodies a deep sense of longing, which, according to its creators, became its fundamental core.
The album can be artificially divided into two parts: the singles and the non-singles. Releasing the best tracks as singles has long been a routine and a bane for many artists, but here I got the impression that Hokka saved the most delicious material specifically for those connoisseurs who decide to check out the full LP after hearing the singles.
The entire record is balanced by Joel's remarkable ability to combine strength and vulnerability, which gives the songs the force of a crushing ocean tide. This can be felt, for instance, in the choruses of the title track “Via Miseria”, the debut single “In The Darkness”, the fellow single “Blackbird”, and the absolutely mind-blowing song “Murder Ballad (Dying Flame)”. The album is perfectly poised in terms of driving compositions and ballads; even upon the first listen, which only begins to unveil the record, I did not find myself bored at all.
An album that blends exposing melancholy (“Serpent's Song”), the triumph of vengeance (“Bon Apetit”), self-reflection (“Heart Said No”), and even a kind of sacredness (“Angels Fall”) allows Joel Hokka's vocals to stand out as they have improved significantly. This is definitely a new level, full of transitions from incredible power to absolute fragility. It is undoubtedly the main highlight of the album, flawlessly framed by its musical craftsmanship.
Personal recommendations: “In The Darkness”, “Murder Ballad (Dying Flame)”, “Via Miseria”, “Angels Fall”, and “Blackbird”.
The entire record is balanced by Joel's remarkable ability to combine strength and vulnerability, which gives the songs the force of a crushing ocean tide. This can be felt, for instance, in the choruses of the title track “Via Miseria”, the debut single “In The Darkness”, the fellow single “Blackbird”, and the absolutely mind-blowing song “Murder Ballad (Dying Flame)”. The album is perfectly poised in terms of driving compositions and ballads; even upon the first listen, which only begins to unveil the record, I did not find myself bored at all.
An album that blends exposing melancholy (“Serpent's Song”), the triumph of vengeance (“Bon Apetit”), self-reflection (“Heart Said No”), and even a kind of sacredness (“Angels Fall”) allows Joel Hokka's vocals to stand out as they have improved significantly. This is definitely a new level, full of transitions from incredible power to absolute fragility. It is undoubtedly the main highlight of the album, flawlessly framed by its musical craftsmanship.
Personal recommendations: “In The Darkness”, “Murder Ballad (Dying Flame)”, “Via Miseria”, “Angels Fall”, and “Blackbird”.
Rating: 10/10
- Tuuli TalvinenFounder & Editor-in-ChiefInterviewer