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Rating: We had to wait three years, and after this relatively long period, the "Finnish Trolls" decided to derail.
Derailing from the chaotic and rogue path that made them famous with works like "Nattfödd" or "Visor om Slutet", to take a step forward that returns to the strictly "heavy" origin of their discography, up to their first, beautiful work "Midnattens Widunder". The amalgamation of sounds, the attitude and the more metallic edge of the tracks, in fact, project the listener into a sort of dark and indefinable Barnum Circus, with atmospheres that at times manage to really unsettle, without completely renouncing the strong "Folk" thrust typical of the band.
Here there are more robust guitars and rhythmic sections in general, that know where to hit and where to hurt. Keyboards, accordions, and all other Polka instruments, sure, they are also here, but they have been reduced to a pure accompaniment that is not part of the song structure, embellished and endowed with originality, without ever falling into the orgy of festive and boorish sounds to which they had accustomed us so far.
So those who listen to them and love them will certainly delight their ears with sounds that, today, are more akin (in attitude, not for other reasons) to the "new" Moonspell than to Ensiferum. This album is the right summary, the result of years and years spent experimenting, being avant-garde, revisiting what was good in the past, and adding splashes of new influences derived mostly from their colleagues, the prestigious Moonsorrow. Of course, achieving all this takes courage: the irreverent Finntroll stepping into the canons and criteria of Moonsorrow is hardly imaginable. The first are so eclectic, while the latter are tragically serious and martial (just consider, to corroborate what I say, their latest, beautiful work "V- Hävitetty", composed of only two songs, each more than half an hour long, to realize); yet it seems that the Trolls have once again managed to surprise us. Even in this task.
It is possible that many, conversely, are searching for that playful and brawling spirit from Finntroll that made them famous, and to them, I immediately say that this album will probably delight them partially because the band, after so many vicissitudes, even tragic, that have marked the time and character of the members, has decided today to take themselves a bit more seriously.
New singer, Vreth, who with his professional and well-executed screams, is a candidate to be the rising star of the extreme genre, possessing an acidic and scratchy voice just right to provide that "black" halo that today's Trolls want to highlight; the work of Trollhorn is always excellent and magnificent, but it has lost that tavern warmth to favor a more obsessive and visceral sound, cold at certain moments ("Gryning", "Ormhäxan").
All these things, I repeat, serve only to make us understand that the band today is no longer what we have learned to know over the years, but rather wants to be an example of artistic maturity and originality in its domain.
For this reason, perhaps the album will not please you deeply except after several listens. Perhaps, forgetting that those playing are an institution in the Folk domain, it might even be hailed as a miracle or might leave you disappointed because, in the end, what we are listening to is a work still branded as Finntroll, one of those bands that has built around itself a precise image, made of a festive and irreverent atmosphere, certainly not of evil put into music.
As for me, I am greatly appreciating and loving it, and this new stylistic direction taken, from the first time I placed the CD in my player, caught me off guard with songs like "Sång" or "Nedgång". For their power and for the great, immense apocalyptic taste they harbor.
Naturally, not all the material proposed here is serious and "evil", there are always moments that bring a smile to your face and that will not fail to wreak havoc live, and of those, you will be able to enjoy as well. "Korpens Saga", "En Mäktig Här", "Kvällning", will immerse you in a magical atmosphere made of snow, forests crossed by torrents streaming pure water, and smoky pubs where to enjoy conviviality and the pleasure of being together. Especially the last one I mentioned, in its thirteen minutes, at the end, surprise of surprises...
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Korpens saga (03:26)
Jag s�g min h�r av troll och v�tte. Slappa spjut s� l�ngt �gat m�tte. Tusende kroppar alla d�da och svala. Min arme ur skogen nu l�g i dvala. D� sj�ng honan m�rk en s�ng av hat. Hon lovade hort g�vor sj�lar till mat. �t en dyster ande ur springornas rike. En runa ristades aldrig sk�dats en like. Som en blixt i natten av eldens f�rg. En kraft som kv�ldje i k�tt och m�rg. En tunga av illd�d och sotig sv�rta. Nu h�rdes ett skrik av tusens sm�rta. Skogens topp och klippans kant som v�rn. Svart som �skmoln och skogens tj�rn. Fj�drar nu spreta d�r skinnet voro. Till tiders slut de nu ropa sin oro. S� miste rivarn sin bror av kamp. De fl�g sin v�g till v�rldens kant. Av ett gl�mt och fastligt trolldoms d�d. Det f�rkolnade sinnet k�nde ingen n�d. Nu faller skyars svarta m�stare. Slagsf�ltets kall och likets kyla. An fulla av slagens rus och svekets hat. De gnaga utan �ra p� krigets ruttna mat ...till Tiders �nde
04 Nedgång (03:43)
Urberget gav en gåva stor. I jorden och
vattnet. I mörkrets källa jag sanning
fann. Min födosaga då blev sann.
Trettio dagar och trettio nätter. Jag klättrade
mot jordens famn. Den hornkrönte
vandrade på dyster sten. En som sanningen
smakat och blivit ren.
Jag såg solens och månens steg. Jag
såg sanningen en dyster väg. En rune
spådde krig och fasa. En runa talde till
mej om blod och raseri
[English translation:]
Descent
A great gift of the ancient mountain
In the earth and the water
In the well of darkness I found truth
My story of birth came true
Thirty days and thirty nights
I climbed towards the depths of the earth
The horn-clad one walked solemnly
One that has tasted the truth and become cleansed
I saw the path of the sun and the moon
I saw the path of truth, so lonely
A rune foretold war and horrors
A rune told me of blood and rage
:)
---Español---
Descenso
Un gran regalo de la antigua montaña
En la tierra y el agua
En el pozo de la oscuridad me pareció la verdad
Mi historia de nacimiento se hizo realidad
Treinta días y treinta noches
Me subieron a las profundidades de la tierra
La bocina vestidos caminó solemnemente una
Uno que ha probado la verdad y ser limpiado
Vi la ruta del sol y la luna
Vi el camino de la verdad, tan solo
Una runa predijo la guerra y horrores
Una me dijo runa de sangre y de rabia
08 Ormhäxan (04:38)
Ormhäxan
I en svart tjärn vid furors rot.
Hon stod tjärad och täckt av sot.
En giftig sugga, en ettrig mara.
Den vackraste skugga ur jordens djup.
Ormarna knyckte och ormarna grep.
Slingrande ur hennes sköte.
Som hornkronor, som spindelns ben.
Som nattens slingor ur jordens djup, hon skrek.
Hon ristade mitt kött, hon drack mitt blod.
En stekande klinga i hjärtats kött.
Jag blivit offrad till henne, denne.
Giftige mask som gör allt dött.
Ett svek oväntat nu fällde mig.
Jag föll sargad och livlös.
Allt var dött utom en gnista blott.
I själen dit uranden livet sått.
Mitt blod ner i tjärnen rann,
den svartare än svart då blev…
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