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You can´t avoid thinking of bands like Finntroll when hearing Korpiklaani. The similarities are several, though the essential style differs in some aspects. That trend of the so called “humppa” bands, or polska metal, or whatever it is called, invaded the metal scene in the last years. You know, that mixture between happy frantic folk music and heavy metal, an ideal soundtrack for the viking booze or something similar. In fact one of the songs on this album is titled “Beer Beer”... well, I must say Korpiklaani is not just another band in this category, for the deeper folky touch they have. The violin conducts the songs most of the times, and the patterns of the music are quite traditional. Besides the violin, the use of accordion, percussion and mouth harp helps to provide the right mood of the songs. Metal is still present –classic, fast heavy metal I´d say, there´s no black or death metal-, since we´re before a heavy metal band in the strict sense, but folk music is not just an addition or an ornament; it is part of its essence. Therefore, we won´t find here black metal with a violin, nor anything similar; I´d describe Korpiklaani music as “metallic folk” rather than “folk metal”.
The feeling the songs convey is very traditional and Finnish in a certain sense; some tracks are inn-choir-singing-jar-in-hand like (you know!), while other fragments suggest a different perspective, more emotional and descriptive. They are a band quite skilled and the sound is really good and clean –obvious since Finnish bands usually have flawless productions. The tracks that seemed more impressive to me were “Journey Man”, with that catchy vibe and the well-managed tempo breaks; instrumental “Pine Woods” with the evolution of the central theme and the perfect flowing of rhythm and harmonies, and another instrumental, “Ryyppäjäiset”, tremendously folky, remind me of the fastest traditional songs, with that superb commander violin with the metal orchestra behind. “Voice Of Wilderness”: Finnish storytellers dancing around a bonfire, songs to take your hand and bring you to the village feast, to forget the bad times; native music to shake your heart and legs.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Cottages & Saunas |
| 2. Journey Man |
| 3. Fields In Flames |
| 4. Pine Woods |
| 5. Spirit Of The Forest |
| 6. Native Land |
| 7. Hunting Song |
| 8. Ryyppäjäiset |
| 9. Beer Beer |
| 10. Old Tale |
| 11. Kädet Siipinä |
: 41.05
| Buy other Korpiklaani albums |
