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Korpiklaani - Tales Along This Road


*
=Staff's pick

Happy Little Boozer*
Vakirauta
Midsummer Night
Tuli Kokko
Spring Dance
Under the Sun*
Korpiklaani*
Rise*
Kirki
Hide Your Riches*


Genre Folk Metal
Jonne Jarvela
Vocals
Tracks 10
Jonne Jarvela
Guitar
Runningtime 42 Min.
Cane
Guitar
Label Napalm Records
Jarkko
Bass
Release 21 April 2006
Matti Johansson
Drums
Country Finland
Juho Kauppinen
Accordion
   
Jaakko Lemmetty
Violin/Flute
Similar artists Elvenking, Falconer, Skyclad, Finntroll

My awesome and highly anticipated Napalm Records promo packet arrived this week and I was thrilled that it included the new release from Korpiklaani. I had heard their debut CD Spirit Of The Forest, and my sacred brethren were raving about Voice Of The Wilderness, which regretfully, I still have not had the pleasure to experience. I definitely intend to indulge myself wholeheartedly in this epic soon. Thankfully, I now have their latest sagacious shindy. Since I serve my proclivity for any artist who transcend the parameters of metal; and given that Skyclad are one of my favorite artists, listening to Korpiklaani's impetuous incantations has been a real splendour and intuitive elevation.

For those who may not be familiar with this pagan tribe, it's time to get acquainted. Korpiklaani which renders into Forest Clan began their career as Shaman and played traditional folk metal while utilizing the Sa'mi language structure. Out of the silent sea and ashes of Shaman, founding member Jonne created Korpiklaani with a fervent mettle drive and vagrant disposition. He wanted to create a sound which embodied humppa folk melodies all the while emphasizing metal synchronicity. This band authentically celebrate their Finnish heritage and the folk archives which inspired them by transforming classic canticles into mercurial frivolity and eremitic musical mirth. Korpiklaani are extremely proud of their Finnish ancestry and these norse patriots proclaim it boldly through their profound contagious heathen cadence. Many of the songs on their CDs are sung in their native vernacular. Although, even when Jonne sings in English he still has an insipid and almost inchoate resonance, which is often thwarting.

Another distinct quality which Korpiklaani distend to the folk metal enthusiast is the arrangement of all tracks on this CD with newest member Juho. He dutifully displays his dedication to the ensemble as their accordion player. The accordion is not your typical metal instrument, and yet it completes their enamoured sound so befittingly. Juho matches staff and key with Hittavainen's harmonious expressions and vitriolic violin and canonic flute consonance. On tracks like Rise and Hide Your Riches the fervent guitar work of Jonne & Cane rages like a violent storm on a midsummer night. I am reminded of the ealier albums by Skyclad, especially Burnt Offerings For The Bone Idol. These paternal forthright forest dwellers echo the enchantments of their ancestral heritage with alluring alacrity and heartfelt passion.

Congruent to Italy's pathfinders for the wyrd winter wake - Elvenking, or Ireland's Waylander who release the spirit within, Korpiklaani sing and commemorate the comensurate qualities of Mother Nature and the solemn bucolic way of life. They even provide us with patronymic provender performing an uncouth undulation vaingloriously named after their own appellative on the apt track Korpiklaani. This point assumed, they are not without their capricious and innate sense of humour as the opening track Happy Little Boozer elucidates. On the previous release they had a track called Beer, Beer an effluent elegy and chortle of serosity, overbrimming with fun and frivolity. There is also a somewhat serious side to the band as the track Under The Sun emitts emotion and ardent intimacy for those most endearing and enduring.

Altogether, I am very pleased with Korpiklaani's expedition and exhibition. There will be a special limited edition digipack available which includes the bonus track Free Like An Eagle written by Juho himself. So if you enjoy Turisas, early Falconer, Finntroll, and artists who respect nature with adulant, ascetic admiration mirrored by an intrinsic predilection for the folk metal hecatomb, come forth and amuse yourself with the brimstone ballet and spring dance. Hush! Hark! listen..as the sobriquet sextet summons yeomen with Tales Along This Road and the ancestral forest beckons us inward, but still you may want to hide your riches.

See also review of: Voice Of Wilderness

Production
Vocals
Compositions

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Summary



8 chalices of 10 - Nichael the MettleAngel

Related links:

http://www.korpiklaani.com