Korpiklaani

Harakiri for the Sky – Arson Review

Harakiri for the Sky – Arson Review

By Mark Z. on February 13, 2018 in 2018, Art of Propaganda, Austrian Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 1 comment

“If there’s a more promising band out there than Harakiri for the Sky, I don’t know of them. Formed in 2011, this Austrian duo first came to my attention with 2014’s Aokigahara, whose crisp, riffy take on post-black metal was a welcome change from the Alcesty haziness overflowing the genre. My love affair continued with 2016’s III: Trauma, a terrific album that narrowly missed a spot on my year-end list with its lush, gorgeous melodies. Since then Harakiri’s gifted songwriting and unique style have built a rabid fanbase (including both myself and Master of Muppets), making Arson one of my most anticipated records of the year.” Ooooo… the suspense! So much filthy click-bait. I wonder how this is going to end…

Atlas Pain – What the Oak Left Review

Atlas Pain – What the Oak Left Review

By El Cuervo on March 8, 2017 in 2017, Folk Metal, Italian Metal, Reviews, Scarlet Records, Symphonic Metal, Folk Metal, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 34 comments

“I like folk metal. It’s best when it takes the form of black metal infused with instrumentation and arrangements native to its respective country. Saor, Panopticon, and Nechochwen are truly great examples of this. The upbeat frolics of Finntroll, Korpiklaani, and their ilk are not merely average by comparison but actively annoying. I find their attempts at inducing happiness grating and vapid. There are logically two conclusions which I would likely reach following my random selection of Atlas Pain’s What the Oak Left: delight or irritation.” Not liking Korpiklaani is like hating dogs.

Vorgrum – Last Domain Review

Vorgrum – Last Domain Review

By Eldritch Elitist on October 16, 2016 in 2016, Argentinian Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Via Nocturna, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 12 comments

“Somewhere along my personal timeline of listening to extreme music I formed an imaginary line dividing two equally valid camps of folk metal. On one side, you have your bands of brooding boys who like to pose next to frozen streams for their promo shots in between discussions of just how great Windir was; on the other, you have your gangs of drunken revelers, crowding into the nearest tavern to relate raucous tales of wenches and trolls to any half-willing passersby.” Is that a troll on the cover or are you just happy to see me?

Jonne – Jonne Review

Jonne – Jonne Review

By Steel Druhm on July 29, 2015 in 2015, Finnish Metal, Folk Metal, Massacre Records, Not Metal, Reviews, Folk Metal, 26 comments

“I’m aware many readers think I pick promos to review based solely on the presence or absence of a sword wielding barbarian on the cover. I can certainly see the reasoning behind that school of thought, but you’ll note there is no such angry warrior here, only a solitary dude in feathers and native garb. That dude is none other than Jonne Javela, vocalist and guitarist of Finnish folk-metal pioneers, Korpiklaani, and Jonne is his new solo album.” Finland’s woodland spirits are loose and feeling frisky.

Korpiklaani – Noita Review

Korpiklaani – Noita Review

By Steel Druhm on May 8, 2015 in 2015, Finnish Metal, Folk Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Folk Metal, 22 comments

“As spring finally gives way to summer, it’s the perfect time to receive the latest dose of folksy hijinks and madcappery from the festive Finnish institution known as Korpiklaani. Noita is yet another chipper, high spirited outing by these drunken woodsmen, offering nothing new while clinging tenaciously to the buttocks of the last several albums.” The dancing forest rangers are back to play you the song of their people and drink you under the oaken table.

Svartsot – Vældet Review

Svartsot – Vældet Review

By Steel Druhm on March 10, 2015 in 2015, Danish Metal, Folk Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Folk Metal, 14 comments

“Hot on the heels of Finnish folk metal legends Ensiferum’s newest platter, the Great Danes in Svartsot also released their latest slab of gnome dancing, beer swilling folk noise. Though I have a limited cranial capacity for this kind of music, I’ve always enjoyed the strange brews these loony Hamlets fermented over the years.” Put some harp in your LARP.

Furor Gallico – Songs from the Earth Review

Furor Gallico – Songs from the Earth Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 17, 2015 in 2015, Folk Metal, Italian Metal, Reviews, Scarlet Records, Folk Metal, 44 comments

“When I hear someone mention a band with nearly as many active members in its ranks as the starting lineup of a baseball team, I immediately think of that one band from Des Moines (which is, honestly, the worst kind of buzzkill). There is always the risk of biting off more than you can chew when trying to incorporate so many musicians/instruments into an album, not to mention trying to balance everything on the stage.” Celtic themed folk metal from Italy? Now that’s fooking international!

Turisas – Turisas2013 Review

Turisas – Turisas2013 Review

By Angry Metal Guy on August 23, 2013 in 2013, 4.0, Century Media, Epic Metal, Finnish Metal, Folk Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Folk Metal, Viking Metal, 19 comments

We all knew Turisas2013 was going to be a controversial record when the title was released. Turisas2013 doesn’t read like a particularly inspiring name for this Finnish ‘folk metal’ band’s latest record. One commenter quipped that it sounds like what they called the folder where you store the .wav files, not the title of the record itself. On top of that was the remarkably short turnaround time. Turisas isn’t a band known for its quick work, and they were coming off a remarkable and fascinating record from 2011 that I flat out loved. Recent history teaches us that ‘fucking with the formula‘ is generally a bad thing; if a band needs 5 years, give it to them! But just as Orphaned Land faced label pressure, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if Turisas2013 was produced under pressure from a label that doesn’t want the world to forget that Turisas exists[1. Note: this is entirely speculation. No one told me shit.]. Whatever the reason for looking at a Turisas record in 2013 with the half-baked name of Turisas2013, it’s here… Is it everything you feared?