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Different record companies follow different strategies but most pure metal labels seem to have a common idea. When a new winning concept have been found they put all their focus in that direction and sign as many bands as possible. Napalm Records can be used as a very good example in this case. First there was the black metal period in the early days of the label, then came the gothic explosion with the beauty and the beast concept along with some more experimental non-metal projects and now we enter the folk metal era. One of the latest additions to the label is the Finnish Korpiklaani, a band who have probably been inspired by bands like Finntroll and Moonsorrow. This is exactly a new band however as their history begins in the mid 90s under the name Shaman. Back then there was not as much metal in their music but more traditional and impulsive folk music in the Sámi language. After a couple of album releases band leader Jonne Järvelä decided to focus on a more widely accepted sound and the band became heavier and more intense. Therefore he gathered some new musicians and created Korpiklaani. The concept is the same as usual - traditional instruments like the flute, jouhilkko and accordion are mixed with the usual modern ones to create a powerful metal sound with strong folk melodies. The album gets off to a good start with "Wooden Pints" and "Before The Morning Sun" where they manage to find a perfect balance between the different elements. Then follows two rather boring songs before the instrumental "Pellonpekko" kicks in, a song where the folk music influences are dominating. The rest of the album follows in the same pattern, a few nice songs and some less interesting ones. "Spirit Of The Forest" is a nice debut album but it is also rather uneven. Stand-out tracks: "Wooden Pints", "Before The Morning Sun", "Pixies Dance".
| Tracklist |
| 1. Wooden Pints |
| 2. Before The Morning Sun |
| 3. God Of Wind |
| 4. With Trees |
| 5. Pellonpekko |
| 6. You Looked Into My Eyes |
| 7. Hullunhumppa |
| 8. Man Can Go Even Through The Grey Stone |
| 9. Pixies Dance |
| 10. Juokse Sinä Humma (Keep On Running |
| You My Horse) |
| 11. Crows Bring The Spring |
| 12. Hengettömiltä Hengiltä (From The |
| Dead People`s Spirit) |
| 13. Shaman Drum |
| 14. Mother Earth |
: 48.20
| Buy other Korpiklaani albums |
