Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Korpiklaani
Label: Napalm Records
Release: 2007
The forest clan strikes back! This time, for the fourth time. Barely a year has passed since their last release, Tales Along This Road (2006), and the unstoppable Finns are already serving up a new studio record called Tervaskanto. Whatever stage Korpiklaani step onto, they crank the temperature up to boiling point, and with their rowdy, bouncy folk metal they have no trouble sending the crowd into a feverish, beer-soaked dance. Clearly there’s still some primal energy living deep inside us, and Korpiklaani know exactly how to summon it with their bouncy mix of Finnish folk tunes and traditional instruments blended with metal.
That’s exactly the dose of Finnish “humppa” metal Tervaskanto delivers, only this time Korpiklaani put even more emphasis on the folk side, and that’s what sets them apart from related folk metal bands, who still put much more weight on the heavier, metal side. But the folk instruments like whistles, accordion, jouhikko and violin are still mixed with metal guitars, giving the music a special authentic feel and charm that only Korpiklaani can pull off. If you were disappointed by the latest, rather black-metal-tinged record from Korpiklaani’s countrymen Finntroll, Ur Jordens Djup (you can read the review HERE), then Tervaskanto is the cure for you. It’s still mostly rowdy, optimistic, bouncy drinking songs, which every now and then get calmed down by more introspective, slower and melancholic tracks, though there are fewer of them than on the previous three records. Opener Let’s Drink is, true to Korpiklaani form, a boozy knees-up, much like Wooden Pints (Spirit of the Forest, 2003) or Happy Little Boozer (Tales Along This Road, 2006), and it sets the tone for Tervaskanto right from the start. Typical, but excellent Korpiklaani! Some might look right here for the album’s weak spot, since Tervaskanto doesn’t bring anything new. But why should Korpiklaani change the very thing they’re best known for? Tervaskanto is packed with galloping melodies, shouted choruses, killer power chords and that one-of-a-kind Korpiklaani humor. The vocals of mastermind…uhh…beer master Jonne Järvelä are still just aggressive and gruff enough, while blending perfectly with the melodic lines of the accordion and violin. These incredibly infectious guys are simply impossible to resist. If Let’s Drink or Veriset Äpärät don’t get you on your feet, I think it’s time for a doctor’s visit to check whether your heart’s still beating. Between pints, though, Korpiklaani also take time to catch their breath and offer some gorgeous melodies and a more varied mood. Vesilahden Veräjillä wins you over with acoustic guitars, Palovana is melancholic, and Misty Fields is epic and dynamic. Two instrumentals, Running With the Wolves and Nordic Feast, showcase Korpiklaani’s songwriting chops.
On Tervaskanto Korpiklaani aren’t reinventing the wheel; they just do what they do best, and in the best possible light. The Finns win you over more with every track… unless you’re busy seeing double, triple,… This year’s Metalcamp will be a great chance to spin like trolls and clink tankards! Cheers!
Line-up
Jonne Järvelä – vocals, guitar
Cane – guitar
Jarkko Aaltonen – bass guitar
Matti “Matson” Johansson – drums
Hittavainen – violin, jouhikko, bagpipes, whistle
Juho Kauppinen – accordion
Production
Samu Oittinen
Track list
1. Let’s Drink 02:43
2. Tervaskanto 03:54
3. Viima 03:33
4. Veriset Äpärät 04:27
5. Running with Wolves 03:53
6. Liekkiön Isku 02:56
7. Palovana 05:04
8. Karhunkaatolaulu 02:52
9. Misty Fields 03:25
10. Vesilahden Veräjillä 06:58
11. Nordic Feast 02:46
