Finntroll - Ur Jordens Djup

Published April 04 2007

*=Staff's pick	Gryning Sång Korpens Saga* Nedgång Ur Djupet Slagbröder En Mäktig Här* Ormhäxan Maktens Spira* Under Två Runor Kvällning

Genre	Folk Metal	Vreth	Vocals
Tracks	11	Skrymer	Guitar
Runningtime	46 Min.	Routa	Guitar
Label	Spikefarm Records	Tundra	Bass
Release	28 March 2007	B. Dominator	Drums
Country	Finland	Trollhorn	Keyboard
Similar artists	Ensiferum, Korpiklaani

Finntroll, the band that gave the word humppa metal its face is back with another bunch of campfire songs and tales from the deepest of woods where the trolls dwell. Ur Jordens Djup (From The Depths Of The Earth) is the band's fourth full length album and as the case was with its predecessor they have a new vocalist since the previous shouter Wilska had to leave the band for unknown reasons. The new man behind the microphone is Vreth who previously paid his duties in Twilight Moon and Chthonian. Vreth's vocals are ok but lack personality and punch and I found the swap as a step down on the quality scale.

The peak of Finntroll's career so far is without a doubt the album Jaktens Tid from 2001. The 2004 offering Nattfödd was quite solid as well and included amongst others the fantastic Trollhammaren, a song that for obvious reasons was released as a single to promote the album.

Even though the typical sound of Finntroll can be heard on Ur Jordens Djup it's quite obvious that some changes have been made this time around. The sound is much darker and the song writing not as direct and efficient as before. The production is also a bit muddy and not as dynamic as I would prefer and therefore without the ever so important nuances. However, there are exceptions and those are when they leave the dark and moody landscapes and return to the more melodic folk metal they are known for. Korpens Saga, En Mäktig Här and Maktens Spira are all great tracks that, whether you like it or not, instantly makes you stomp your feet and nod your head. I certainly would have desired more songs in that vein. Ur Jordens Djup is very uneven and not on par with their earlier works, a decent release slightly above average but nothing more.