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Korpiklaani, take 3. One of the most original bands that the music scene has to offer right now is back with its third album. For those who don’t know this Finnish band yet: Besides guitars, bass and drums, Korpiklaani use many traditional instruments like flute, accordion, violin and the Finnish jouhilkko to create their unique sound of “humppa” metal. Vocalist Jonne also incorporates a special kind of singing into his songs, the so-called yoiking which is originally used by the Sámi.
Generally speaking, this is a typical Korpiklaani album: There are fast songs that make you want to go outside into the woods and dance around a campfire, as well as slow songs, instrumentals and of course a drinking song and what they all have in common are great rhythms and catchy melodies that remind you of a time that has ceased long ago. Other than that, there are again many different instruments to be heard but something has changed in their sound. To explain that I will have to go back a little:
While the first album still sounded very folky you could detect a heavier input from the electric guitars on “Voices of Wilderness”. To some extent, I expected that sound to be developed further, more electric guitars but at the same time more folk influences. So I was pretty surprised when I heard “Tales along this Road” for the first time because it didn’t sound the way I imagined it. The folk part has definitely taken over again, to my astonishment in a very addictive way. The main reason for that change was the fact that Korpiklaani found a permanent accordion player with Juho Kauppinen. His instrument is taken to the foreground on this album and is present in every song. So now the melodies are carried out by the violin and the accordion which of course results in a more folkloristic sound. What else has changed? Half of the songs are sung in Finnish. This suits the music very well and I doubt it will have any negative effects on them as their lyrics don’t have to be understood per se since the music alone expresses well enough what they sing about. I think many fans will be pleased with the Finnish lyrics at least I am as I’m a big fan of them and this may explain why I find songs like “Väkirauta” and “Kirki” among my favourites of this album. Other songs I really like are “Under the Sun”, “Rise” and “Happy Little Boozer” which is just perfect for live shows.
To make this short, Korpiklaani have proven that they are one of the best folk metal bands out there. I can only recommend this album even though it might take some time to get into (some time meaning three or four times listening to it on the row ;-)).
| Tracklist |
| 1. Happy Little Boozer |
| 2. Väkirauta |
| 3. Midsummer Night |
| 4. Tuli Kokko |
| 5. Spring Dance |
| 6. Under The Sun |
| 7. Korpiklaani |
| 8. Rise |
| 9. Kirki |
| 10. Hide Your Richess |
: 42.33
| Buy other Korpiklaani albums |
