Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Finntroll
Label: Spinefarm Records
Release: 2007
The misfortune that has dogged Finntroll since the very start of their career is almost unbelievable. Only the likes of Nevermore have comparable “luck”. The band was founded in 1997 by vocalist Katla (Jan Jänsen) and guitarist Somnium (Teemu Raimoranta), but sadly neither of them is part of the Finnish trolls anymore. Katla left the band because of a tumor that stopped him from singing, and Somnium died in 2003 after falling off a bridge. A tragedy that almost buried Finntroll for good. In 2004 they still managed to pull off a comeback with the album Nattfödd, on which Tapio Wilska took over vocal duties. Just a year and a half later he left Finntroll, and the band was once again without a singer.
After an intense search for his replacement, Finntroll finally stumbled onto a new vocalist last year, Vreth (Mathias Lillmins), and Fintroll have crawled back out from the depths of the earth (that’s the translation of Ur Jordens Djup). Finntroll are a band that made their name with an original style, so-called humppa metal (humppa is a Finnish polka), and so they came to be known as fun, hyperactive and even comical. All the lyrics are in Swedish, which, in the words of first vocalist Katla, is “damn trollish.”
With Ur Jordens Djup, Finntroll have opened a new chapter in their history. So what does it bring? Let’s be clear: Ur Jordend Djup is a really good record, because Finntroll just don’t know how to disappoint. Still, the album is missing something that made their earlier releases so unique, upbeat, positive and easy to listen to. This time the folk elements step well into the background in favor of black metal, which has pushed its way to the front. Personally, I miss the fun humppa parts, but maybe for some people the change will be more than welcome. Even so, Ur Jordens Djup is far from being a bad record, it’s just that the music has moved in the direction of the likes of Moonsorrow, which isn’t even surprising, since keyboardist Trollhorn is none other than Henri Sorvali, a key member of Moonsorrow.
The record opens with the dark, ambient intro Gryning (Dawn), which sounds like it was lifted straight out of some great horror flick. You could sooner call it Sunset, since it sets up the dark, more serious atmosphere of the album. Don’t get me wrong, that real Finntroll sound is still very much there, they’ve just pushed the polka aside a bit and leaned toward more serious folk and black metal. The guitars deserve a little scolding too, since they never get further than sawing away at power chords and simple riffs, and at times they get downright monotonous.
Dawn quietly tips over into the black metal blast Sing (Song), with keyboards and screaming that even remind me a bit of Amon Amarth. The fast opening section slows down in the middle, keeping that true Finntroll identity, but I still miss the Finntroll goofing around. Luckily Korpens Saga (The Raven’s Saga) brings it back, where bouncy folk rhythms and the typical vocals enrich the polka black metal. You can practically picture the crowd of people dancing! Nedging (Fall) boasts an interesting atmosphere and carries on the bouncy, danceable vibe of its predecessor. Tons of rhythm changes make for excellent dynamics, and Nedging will definitely get plenty of spins. Ur Djupet (From the Depths) is one of the album’s better tracks, with raw guitars and black metal vocals, all spiced up by keyboard flourishes. Slagbröder (Brothers in War) is another black metal anthem with raw guitars and atmospheric keyboards, and clean vocals join the growls. Next up is En Mäktig Här (A Mighty Horde)… And yes! Finally, that real humppa Fintroll! It had me bursting out laughing with its tropical steel drums and Caribbean atmosphere, which reminded me of the cult LucasArts adventure Monkey Island. These are the real goofball Finntroll! The best track on the record. Ormahäxan (Snake Witch) is a strange, chaotic mishmash that quickly gets forgotten. Maktens Spira (Scepter of Power) continues in the style of A Mighty Horde, with wacky rhythms whose sheer energy practically begs you to headbang. Under Tví Runor (Under Two Runes) differs quite a bit from the rest. A fairly anthemic and epic track with tempo changes, it keeps the record’s dynamics going.
The record closes with the thirteen-minute Kvällning (Dusk), which has a great acoustic intro that tips over into a gust of wind and silence, and ends with a goofy, drunken troll chant with a whistle and mandolin in the background.
Ur Jordens Djup isn’t a bad record, but it lacks the charm, the craziness and the tomfoolery of the earlier ones. You can’t just wave off the progress, but why would you ditch the element that made Finntroll fun and damn trollish?
Lineup
Vreth (Mathias Lillmĺns) – vocals
Skrymer aka Örmy (Samuli Ponsimaa) – rhythm guitar
Routa (Mikael Karlbom) – guitar
Tundra (Sami Uusitalo) – bass guitar
Trollhorn (Henri Sorvali) – keyboards
Beast Dominator (Samu Ruotsalainen) – drums
Production
Trollhorn and Tundra
Tracklist
1. Gryning 03:33
2. Sĺng 04:40
3. Korpens Saga 03:26
4. Nedgĺng 03:44
5. Ur Djupet 04:59
6. Slagbröder 04:31
7. En Mäktig Här 04:19
8. Ormhäxan 04:39
9. Maktens Spira 03:28
10. Under Tvĺ Runor 05:36
11. Kvällning 13:01
