Get The Folk Out
Korpiklanni are proof, beyond a shadow of doubt, that metal can absorb anything and make it sound credible. Granted, Korpiklaani play Finnish folk metal, dress like peasants, live in the middle of a forest, sing songs about beer and the natural world around them and have a permanent 'Akkordeon' player, but they do it with such conviction and belief that, for all their quirks, you have to take them seriously. It is this dedication to their music, as well as their own style of humppa metal, that made them one of the best bands at Bloodstock 2007. You don't need to know their tunes or be familiar with the changes or time signatures to enjoy Korpiklaani, and therein lies their appeal. Their new offering, 'Korven Kuningas' is another blast of foot-tapping, jig inducing, beer drinking anthems that you can enjoy even on the first listen.
Many of the band's songs come directly from the annals of the Finnish folk archives, but are activated with a fierce twist of metal. Whereas many folk metal bands write a folky-style riff that they revisit after every chorus, Korpiklaani use the folk as a basis for the whole of their songs. 'Shall We Take A Turn' and 'Kantaiso' are good examples of this and, as a consequence, create a more foot-tapping and catchy experience. But why single out any songs at all? 'Korven Kuningas' is brimming with perfectly executed folk metal proving that, if performed and executed well enough, fusing two seemingly distant genres sometimes works. There is so much to dance about over the fourteen tracks on offer that thankfully 'Gods On Fire,' with its mellow and laid back melodies, allow for some respite when your limbs can't take anymore.
As I was listening to this new release I couldn't help wondering that if metal, back in the day, hadn't born itself from blues but from folk music (The Spinners anyone?) would Black Sabbath have sounded like Korpiklaani?
"What is this that stands before me?
Figure in an elk head-dress fishing in the local stream."
Hmm perhaps not, it doesn't really scan.
Some songs are more folk than metal, 'Kipumylly' in particular contains more accordion and violin than actual distorted guitars. I'm sure taking the guitars away would leave a massive hole in the production, but they don't cut through as much as they should/could. This may leave some listeners craving a little more metal and a little less folk, but this is a minor criticism. 'Korven Kuningas' is an enjoyable romp from start to Finnish and will always bring a smile to the listeners lips. It is almost guaranteed to brighten your day, pick you up when you're down and definitely not for the emo generation. Make no mistake, this is folk metal at its best and I would go as far to say it is on a par with their 'Spirit Of The Forest' epic. Catch them live if you can.