Ah folk metal, is there a greater joy to be had? Nothing but beer, parties and just having an ol’ fashioned good time. Korpiklaani have been a staple of the folk metal scene for over 2 decades, and new album Jylhä looks to keep the festivities to schedule. Will we get more of the party rocking anthems, or an evolution of the stylistic changes experimented on Kulkija?
If you are somehow unaware of folk metal, then let me inform thee. Take 1 part traditional heavy metal band – guitars, bass and drums, and 1 part traditional folk band – ‘old timey’ instruments and such. Sprinkle over a heavy dose of Oktoberfest seasoning, and Folk Metal it be. If you have ever woke up at 3pm, in a bush, with an empty bottle of cheap whisky in hand, you probably listened to a bit of folk metal the previous evening.
Korpiklaani have, for 10 albums now given us plenty of anthems to get wasted to. Whether it’s Beer Beer, Vodka or Jägermeister, they have been rooted in providing us with binge drinking melodies. The perfect accompaniment to getting drunk at festivals at midday. Remember festivals? Im itching for warm larger and £37 noodles to coarse through my veins once again.
Something is somehow different on latest release Jylhä. It feels like Korpilaani have grown up. There is a serious feel to the album. I speak none of their native Finnish tongue, but you can clearly hear the emotional feel to the album. No tracks named after alcohol, no obvious party bangers.
This may seem like heresy, but it really works. There is a new found quality never before felt on a Korpiklaani release. The musicianship is top draw, the folk elements intwined expertly (rather than leading the show). Leväluhta and Niemi are the album’s standout tracks. Perfectly combining the folk and metal elements. Something Korpikaani have always done well, but it just feels a little more polished on Jylhä.
At 1 hour long, I defiantly mark it down for being too long. Korpiklaani have plenty of albums an hour or longer. But it always feels like overkill. It ruins the experience when it over-saturates way too soon. It’s a shame when Pidot is one of the best tracks, but comes after the 50 minute mark.
Overall however, this is a very good release from the Finnish (former?) party crew. The change in style is welcome, and shows there is still room for the booze fuelled shenanigans to grow up and find their emotional side.
Score: 7.5/10
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