| CD REVIEW Moonsorrow |
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Band: Moonsorrow What can I say? I’m very pleased lately. It has to do with the Finnish Folk / Pagan-scene. There exists an overload on bands I can’t stand, trying to sound like the ‘big’ names within the scene (which I do not always like either). Fortunately, I could enjoy several wonderful pieces from Suomi lately as well - think about recent recordings by bands like Jumalhämärä (Resignaatio), Kalmah (12 Gauge) or Finntroll (Nifelvind) (reviews on these albums available on the site, respectively November 26th 2010, March 30th 2010 and April 8th 2010), or the upcoming album The Writ Of Sword by Crimfall (review will follow soon). What has it to do with Moonsorrow? Actually, this band gets put within, more or less, the same scene. I don’t agree completely, even though Moonsorrow have many similar characteristics. This band was formed in 1995 and they did release several albums, since ten years through Spinefarm (and sub-label Spikefarm). And when it comes to similarities with the Folk / Pagan-scene, I refer to the addition of folkish intermezzos at the one hand, and several epic parts at the other. Those epic parts exhale a purely Scandinavian Viking-atmosphere, floating within dimensions comparable to the likes of Bathory (Hammerheart / Twilight Of The Gods-era), Hades Almighty, Kampfar etc. But Moonsorrow are more varying than that. The long hymns (the seven tracks last for more than an hour, being three shorter intermezzos and four long epics - both former recordings, the 2008-Tulimyrsky-EP and 2007’s Viides Iuku - Hävitetty full length consisted of tracks clocking half an hour each, by the way) come with different levels and layers. The main focus is based on a rather slow yet pounding and powerful form of Nordic-inspired Black Metal, and this with both a melodic and heathen approach. Sometimes this gets coloured with spheres of melancholy, then with a victorious or dauntless pride. The hymns sometimes get interspersed with Folk-elements. It goes for the use of ‘traditional’ additions (instrumentals, like the use of violins, mouth harp or acoustic guitars) - listen for example to the short soundscape Hävitetty - or modest excerpts in the vein of Finntroll or early Turisaz. More than once, this Moonsorrow-album sounds bleaker, depressed and disappointed / disgusted by human life, inviting obscure and post-funereal grimness. I’ve always liked Moonsorrow and Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa strengthens my opinion about these Finns. For a Finnish band, they do sound rather Scandinavian than just Finnish. The song writing is based on uncomplicated yet magisterial structures that bring more deepness than Finland’s greater part. It stands miles away from the catchy approach most Finnish bands sicken the scene with by performing with the most professional craftsmanship. Of course it has to do with the experienced members: Ville (v, b; ex-Amoral, May Withers, Lakupaavi, Crypt amongst others) and Henri Sorvali (g; current or former member in the great Woods Of Belial, Finntroll, Terrorthrone, The Wicked, Crypt and many others), Marko Tarvonen (d; think The Wicked, Thunderdogs, Arthemesia, Chaosbreed etcetera), Markus Eurén (k; Lakupaavi, session in e.g. Gorewinter) and Mitja Harvilahti (g; formerly in Tyrant, currently in Shadow Cut). Indeed, most of these bands or projects are much better than the ‘average’ Finnish pulp around! It explains the superior quality of the whole performance. And with a production that is both well-polished and powerful, I cannot but express my appreciation. 90/100 Ivan Tibos. |