Finnish Folk Metal!
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I picked up three Finnish metal albums recently. A few years ago I started getting into some of the fabulously weird avant-folk coming out of Finland. I'd been having strange dreams/nightmares about being lost in dark Finnish forests, encounting numerous horrors, and I figured their fertile metal scene would provide far more appropriate soundtracks.
Turisas - The Varangian Way (Century Media) 07
This can be described as progressive symphonic power folk metal, or simply Viking metal. Named after the ancient Finnish god of war, they have more in common with Manowar and Blind Guardian than other folk-influenced Finnish bands. Depending on your taste it's either breathtaking or ridiculously over-the-top.
Korpiklaani - Korven Kuningas (Nuclear Blast) 08
I only just discovered them via last year's album, Tervaskanto but this is their fifth album. I only knew of Finntroll before them, but there's probably much more. They seem to be the most popular right now, and I love it. Their folk elements have roots in humppa, a sort of Finnish polka, and also shares roots with what became celtic folk, hence the moments that remind one of The Pogues or Flogging Molly.
Finntroll - Ur Jordens Djup (Century Media) 07
This is by far my favorite of the bunch. It has one of the best intros I've heard in a long time, what sounds like a troll knocking aside 1000 year-old trees and stepping nonchalantly on small animals and/or humans. It's accompanied by symphonic bells and strings that sound like a Disney soundtrack from Hell. It's supposed to tell the tale of Kiufader the "Kingshaman of the trolls," based on various myths and Finnish folk tales. Too bad the booklet doesn't offer a translation, but it's an awesome experience just the same.
More. "Out for weak Christian blood..." har har.
Comments (5)
i LOVE Finntroll! i listened to a lot of their music when i was active in a metal band. love their sound, their style, lyrics, everything. then Dethklok came around. but Finntroll are still one of the best REAL metal bands. thanks for posting this FnB!
Active as in played? No way! How cool is that! What did you play? Did you see them live? Seems like one has to get to Europe to see these bands, usually. Another one I'd love to see are Meads Of Asphodel -- a black metal band that performs in full suits of armor!
I just saw on Myspace that they're touring the U.S. now. But they played Cleveland and Minneapolis, but skipped Chicago! What's up with that?? They're in Seattle tonight, then Portland, then, all you San Francisco metalMOGgers, Slim's in San Francisco this Wednesday the 10th. After L.A. they're off to Amsterdam.
no effin way! FINNTROLL will be in SF this week?! score!!!! thanks so much for looking that up Fast! too cool!
and yes, active as in played, i played guitar in Orkus for a while. Orkus was a spin-off of Clan of the Bleeding Eye. both bands had songs about an army of orks and their forest battles, so we were big fans of Finntroll, naturally.
Worms of Tomorrow, enticing album title. I just might have to check that out! I'm glad someone will get to see Finntroll. Report back!
"Hide your daughters, kegs of rum and men of God . . the trolls from up north are coming to you!"