Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography

SCARLET THREAD

Prog Folk • Finland


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Scarlet Thread picture
Scarlet Thread biography
The name SCARLET THREAD was first used in 1995 when the guitarist and composer Jani Timoniemi made some demos all by himself. A few years later a real line-up - located in Northern Finnish town Oulu - recorded a song for the Various Artists concept release "Tuonen Tytär: A Tribute To Finnish Progressive". Also their next appearance on record was the participation in a project by the Finnish Colossus association, "Kalevala: A Finnish Progressive Rock Epic" (2002). This one was an international major release that introduced Scarlet Thread to foreign prog listeners.

The instrumental debut album "Psykedeelisiä Joutsenlauluja" (Psychedelic Swan Songs) was released in 2003, after which several further changes occurred in the group's line-up. The second album "Valheista Kaunein" (The Most Beautiful of Lies, 2006) continued in the direction of instrumental Folk Prog, violin and flute being an essential part of the sound. The third album "Never Since" (2013) features the female, slightly Kate Bush sounding vocalist Mari Vuoritie, while the group's latest release "Dreamcatcher" (2014) has the male vocals of Jukka Nummi. Timoniemi has always been Scarlet Thread's primary composer. He grew up with vintage Heavy and Prog music from Uriah Heep and Led Zeppelin to Wishbone Ash, Camel, Gentle Giant, Van Der Graaf Generator, etc.

SCARLET THREAD is warmly recommended to anyone enjoying progressive rock with a Folk approach, both from the U.K. (including also JETHRO TULL) and elsewhere.

SCARLET THREAD Videos (YouTube and more)


Showing only random 3 | Search and add more videos to SCARLET THREAD

Buy SCARLET THREAD Music


SCARLET THREAD discography


Ordered by release date | Showing ratings (top albums) | Help Progarchives.com to complete the discography and add albums

SCARLET THREAD top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.33 | 13 ratings
Psykedeelisiä Joutsenlauluja
2003
3.89 | 23 ratings
Valheista Kaunein
2006
4.22 | 18 ratings
Never Since
2013
3.15 | 8 ratings
Dreamcatcher
2014

SCARLET THREAD Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

SCARLET THREAD Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

SCARLET THREAD Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

SCARLET THREAD Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

SCARLET THREAD Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Dreamcatcher by SCARLET THREAD album cover Studio Album, 2014
3.15 | 8 ratings

BUY
Dreamcatcher
Scarlet Thread Prog Folk

Review by Matti
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Some time ago I gave a full rating to the preceding album of Finnish SCARLET THREAD. The group has seen yet another change in the line-up; gone is the female vocalist, gone are the appearances of violin and flute. What remains? A good album oriented towards vintage Hard/Heavy Rock and with a new male vocalist - Jukka Nummi - suitable to that style. Maybe the guitarist-composer Jani Timoniemi has always wanted to make this kind of an album, heavier and free of Folk elements. But I feel disappointed, no matter how well the album succeeds in its goals. One thing is certain: Never Since was pure and marvelous Folk Prog, and something one don't too often hear especially from a Finnish band, while Dreamcatcher is an album that myriads of rock bands would be happy to make when the primary idea is not to sound personal and original but to Rock and Roll.

The sound is meaty with two guitars, and keyboards favour good ol' Hammond. There are other keyboard sounds too, all right. The cocky vocals however nail the overall impression firmly into the Heavy department. I'm not denying the progginess of all the five compositions (between 5:30 and 10:05 in length). There's probably enough to consider this a prog album, but sadly the more straightforward Hard Rock aspect dominates in the playing. And at least with a couple of first listenings the tracks feel terribly the same. I'm not naming references since Hard Rock is not my strong area, but if I named, they surely wouldn't be prog bands.

2½ stars, can't give more due to my deep disappointment. Objectively thought, this is a powerful and well crafted album, hence the rounding up to three stars. Beautiful cover art but frankly not very suitable to the music, nor is the title.

 Never Since by SCARLET THREAD album cover Studio Album, 2013
4.22 | 18 ratings

BUY
Never Since
Scarlet Thread Prog Folk

Review by Matti
Prog Reviewer

5 stars This beautiful-covered album is the third and latest by Northern Finnish SCARLET THREAD. I haven't heard their earlier works but I read they're mostly instrumental Prog Folk. Here the vocals are by Mari Vuoritie whose bright voice resembles slightly the young KATE BUSH (but without the breath-taking depth in her expression). The instrumentation features violin, and a flautist guests on three tracks. The music is firmly both rocky and folky, with an emphasis on biting guitars, comparable to JETHRO TULL's Martin Barre. Keybaords are added only in the closing track, which is a pity: some organ and/or piano would have crowned the album's overall sound. The music is mostly written by guitarist Jani Timoniemi; lyrics are by the vocalist.

The album structure seem to favour the ideology of working each song to the maximum, instead of building bigger contrasts and arches between the tracks. This results as an evenly strong 45-minute album which at first may have some difficulties to keep the listener's mind focused. That is, the memorable highlights are not so easily found. One of my favourites is 'Tomb' thanks to the organ in it. But this "problem" may concern only the few earliest listenings, each song gets better with time. For example 'Ariadhron' placed in between tracks featuring the flute compensates that lack by the violin - which actually almost sounds like a flute!

The longest track 'An Old Dream' (8:23) is also the finest, with plenty of both flute and violin. And in it the vocals come closest to Kate Bush. 'Instrumental Agony' is a school example of a Prog Folk instrumental. Especially this track shows strong TULL influence; it could come from Songs From The Wood, if that album had violin. 'Turn into Air' is another grower, and so is the other 8+ minute track 'Under the Waters'; luckily the out-of-place vocal distortion is only briefly in the beginning.

I'm becoming more and more convinced this is a great work of British-style Prog Folk that gets better as it gets more familiar. Sadly the band is criminally unknown in Finland too, but it would be completely marketable internationally. I hope that someday I get to know their other releases, and that "Scarlet Thread will be back" as is printed below the credits. 4½ stars rounded up for the lovely cover art by Heli Loukusa.

 Never Since by SCARLET THREAD album cover Studio Album, 2013
4.22 | 18 ratings

BUY
Never Since
Scarlet Thread Prog Folk

Review by DrömmarenAdrian

3 stars Scarlet Thread is a Finnish band which has made three albums, the first 2003, the second 2006 and now the third one 2013. They seem to use some qualified person to do their covers because they're very nice. This one for example is like a children book illustration with a bird coming out of an egg in the sea. I like the colours too. The Scarles Thread orchestra is made up by Jani Timoniemi (guitar), Sami Hiltunen(guitar), Erja Pätsi(violin), Here Nivukoski(drums) and Janne Tuovinen(bass). The guest musicians are Mari Vuoritie (vocals), Pekka Elsilä(flute) and Pasi Hiltula(keyboards)

When I started to listen I really enjoyed the sound of this band. "Dark world" opens in a good way, with a heavy rock sound with violin and guitar playing a folk influenced melody and a flute is added later. Then comes the vocals and I am not pleased with that vocalists participation. She seems to sing out of tune and a little bit squeaky. So without vocals I would have been more satisfied than now. First track is the best because of its folk melody(8/10) which reminds me of Steeleye Span. The second best track is an instrumental: "Instrumental agony" which rocks sweat and crazy(7/10). Otherwise the songs are enjoyable in some ways but the vocals destroy a lot, in my opinion.The vocal reminds me of the female voice of Swedish Kaipa which I don't either like. I shake my head and wonder additionally why she doesn't sing in Finnish, her native language? I have no idea why this music is called folk. I would have called it crossover prog.

What you'll find on this record is nice instrumentation in a progressive way and you'll really enjoy som of the vocal-less parts. The record is even and doesn't contain any bad track but I wouldn't recommend more than a couple. Three stars to Scarlet Thread!

 Psykedeelisiä Joutsenlauluja by SCARLET THREAD album cover Studio Album, 2003
3.33 | 13 ratings

BUY
Psykedeelisiä Joutsenlauluja
Scarlet Thread Prog Folk

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars Scarlet Thread were basically formed in 1995 in Oulu, Finland by guitarist Jani Timoniemi, who spent the first few years recording with the help of session musicians.The first appearance of ther group would be a fact through the '' Tuonen tytär: A Tribute to Finnish Progressive'' compilation album, however the line-up changes continued to occur.Towards a first album Timoniemi collaborated with violin player Eini Pesälä, flute player Anni Pesälä and drummer Panu Koskela and in 2003 Scarlet Thread debuted on Mellow Records with the album ''Psykedeelisiä joutsenlauluja''.The album features also Timoniemi's long-time bassist Jukka Jokikokko as well as Timo Kuukasjaarvi on organ and Mika Pohjola on moog synths.

The album is completely instrumental Progressive Rock, what is really weird though is the limited time length, as ''Psykedeelisiä joutsenlauluja'' runs not over the 35-min. mark.This is not necessarilly bad, as Scarlet Thread chose to play a guitar-based Psych/Prog Rock with violin and flute drives here and there and an extended running time would possibly make the album sounds a bit boring.As it is, the band's first work is well-crafted and pleasant with Timoniemi's guitars leading the way with good solos, psychedelic grooves and even some ROBERT FRIPP-like extreme exercises.But the nice bits of violins and flutes add the album a nice rural feeling and a lovely, folky mood.With some decent interplays and melodies by the Pesälä backing duo ''''Psykedeelisiä joutsenlauluja'' obtains a great Scandinavian atmosphere, changing from ethereal to more powerful.The middle tracks with the presence of organ and synths are definitely the more rich-sounding with a complete and professional sound and some great inspiration.

Not the most diverse of Prog related works out there, but Scarlet Thread's first release is a satisfying album of guitar-based Progressive Rock, containing influences from Classical and Folk Music as well as some great guitar workouts that need to be spread wider.Recommended.

 Valheista Kaunein by SCARLET THREAD album cover Studio Album, 2006
3.89 | 23 ratings

BUY
Valheista Kaunein
Scarlet Thread Prog Folk

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars I got a big surprise when I first listened to this album because I was expecting a Prog-Folk album from this Finnish band and what I was hearing was this powerful and dynamic music, nothing like Folk at all. Well it turns out that after their Folky debut, the bands leader and guitarist Jani Timoniemi made wholesale changes in the band's lineup (he's the only one left from the debut) and changed the style of music while he was at it. He added a second guitarist, and the violin plays a key role. 2 guest flute players help out too.

"Tahtojen Taistelu" has a good heavy sound to it with violin arriving around a minute. It settles down before 2 1/2 minutes then picks back up after 3 minutes with violin. "Valheista Kaunein" is more laid back with violin and drums standing out. This sounds so good. Guitar comes to the fore before 2 minutes. Flute and violin follow then it picks up more with guitar leading. Nice. "Vaeltava" is laid back with violin to start. It kicks in before a minute with guitar and violin out front. It settles after 2 1/2 minutes. Check out the intricate guitar a minute later. Then it kicks back in.

"Jumelanpilkkakirves" is fairly heavy with flute over top. How good is this ! It settles beautifully as contrasts continue. The guitar rips it up after 3 1/2 minutes. "Valon Lahettrais" is led by drums, violin and flute early. Guitar takes the spotlight 4 minutes in. "Aatoksia Kivusta" is heavy and uptempo before settling with violin. Flute leads after 2 1/2 minutes. "Haarasilta" is a violin led track and the closest thing to Folk on here. "Levoton Sielu" opens with guitar as drums join in. A calm with flute before 3 minutes. Violin joins in as well. It kicks back in and the guitar is lighting it up late. "Kunnes Kulema Meidat Erottaal" is mid- paced with violin leading the way. A nice solid sound here. It turns spacey before 5 minutes to end it.

This has just been a pleasure to listen to this past week. Highly recommended instrumental music.

 Psykedeelisiä Joutsenlauluja by SCARLET THREAD album cover Studio Album, 2003
3.33 | 13 ratings

BUY
Psykedeelisiä Joutsenlauluja
Scarlet Thread Prog Folk

Review by Finnforest
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars A sweet sound drifting from the chilly north woods

Scarlet Thread is surely one of the most exciting current bands on the Finnish scene. The origins of the band begin in 1995 when leader Jani Timoniemi began to record demos with session players under the name Scarlet Thread. The line-ups have changed often over the years and Jani is the only member on this particular album that still exists in the group today. The others departed soon after this release which might make you think this album is shaky, but just the opposite is true. This is one hell of a debut. According to one of their webpage bios the band is about mixing styles of music: rock, jazz, and folk, with the understanding that emotion should always trump complexity in the songs they compose.

This all instrumental album is warm and inviting, fascinating, and quite difficult to describe. While others mention groups like Tull, Renaissance, Kansas, and Anglagard in their descriptions, none of these groups would to me have conveyed the correct musical image. Scarlet Thread of this album I would describe as a bit of an updated psych flavored jam-band with a north woods feel, their sound instantly conjuring images like the album cover. The woodlands, nature, ogres and sprites, and the smell of damp leaves as you walk through the forest on a cold morning: all depicted superbly with folksy violin and peaceful flutes aplenty. These two instruments are heavily featured here, lead instruments if you will, along with Timoniemi on both acoustic/electric guitar and bass, and the drummer. A bit of Hammond and Moog are supplied by guests. They occasionally remind me of Kebnekaise, Grateful Dead, Camel, "Battle of Evermore" Zep, and Mostly Autumn but those reference points are as lacking as the first ones I mentioned. Scarlet Thread must be heard. This is a band that has become an instant favorite of mine for the reason they allude to in their bio: they expertly weave the guitars/violin/flute into a wispy smoke of melodies and emotional landscapes that entrance me. It's an extremely pleasant 35 minutes that I recommend highly to fans of friendly acid-folk and lighter psych jam-band campfire stompin' music. They have an organic sound with a distinct Finnish vibe that I equate with freedom and a sense of home and hearth. They're probably going to hate me for this rather flaky review but my heart was in the right place-I love it! 7/10

 Valheista Kaunein by SCARLET THREAD album cover Studio Album, 2006
3.89 | 23 ratings

BUY
Valheista Kaunein
Scarlet Thread Prog Folk

Review by ClemofNazareth
Special Collaborator Prog Folk Researcher

4 stars It occurred to me when I opened the package this album came in that Musea Records must do an awful lot of their business via mail order. Of all their CDs that I have, I don’t believe I bought any of them at a brick-and-mortar unless it was a used record at a head shop or old book store. Not that this has anything to do with this CD, it just struck me that you would have thought by now the label would have moved to all digipacks, at least for their imported stuff. The jewel case this came in only had a very minor crack from the shipping, but this seems like an archaic way to transport a CD all the way from France to the midwestern US. And by the way, I think the drummer pictured on the inside artwork has his fly open. Anyway, I digress as usual. On to the music.

The first track on this Finnish folk band’s latest album gives the impression of being more like neo-prog music than folk. And to a certain extent that’s probably true. I sometimes wonder if any band with a violin and a flute is automatically considered folk. Hardly. Everyone knows you have to throw in a lute to make it a real prog folk band, and an electric hurdy-gurdy to qualify as a neo-prog folk act. These guys don’t cut the mustard on either count. In fact the opening track “Tahtijen Taistelu” sounds more like the opening salvo of a Nightwish album than anything remotely folk-related. One other note – this is an all-instrumental album, although I actually was on my second spin of it before I actually noticed this. These tracks were recorded in 2004 but only released in 2006 after the band signed a deal with Musea. According to the band’s web site they now have a female vocalist and have rewritten several of these tracks to include vocals, so if you have a chance to see them live I suppose you’ll get a taste of that.

But the following title track settles down considerably, and violinist Erja Lahtinen is excellent on violin along with flautists Juha Sutela and Essi Suikkanen, who add to the folk feeling even though their instruments are mostly buried behind the twin guitar attack of Jani Timoniemi and Sami Hiltunen. “Vaeltava” is similar except that here the violin is even more prevalent and there is a tasty blues-inspired guitar solo that dominates the middle portion of the track.

“Juma Lanpilkkakirves” actually shows a little jazz/fusion influence in the arrangement, and I wonder if some of this was improvised in the studio. Lahtinen’s violin work reminds me of former Kansas violinist Robby Steinhardt on this track and on “Aatoksia Kivusta”. There is heavier guitar work here than on most prog folk albums, and that probably lends to the comparison. In fact, the closing track “Kunnes Kuolema Meiòät Erottaa” is very much in the vein of the mellower Masque-era Kansas music (minus Steve Walsh’s vocals of course), and “Haarasilta” is a tune I could see the original Kansas performing on stage without any trouble whatsoever.

“Levoton Sielu” is the most interesting track because of the way it melds a neo sort of guitar riff with meandering violin parts and the heaviest bass lines on the album. This track gives the feeling of being on a mystical journey of some sort with danger lurking all about, rough terrain to traverse, and of wooden ships in a nearby harbor. Very nice.

I didn’t really take to these guys much the first couple of times I listened to this album, but it has definitely grown on me with each spin. I’m looking forward to their next release and will almost surely be adding them to my ‘must buy’ list in the future. Four stars and well recommended not only to prog folk fans, but to neo-proggers as well.

peace

 Psykedeelisiä Joutsenlauluja by SCARLET THREAD album cover Studio Album, 2003
3.33 | 13 ratings

BUY
Psykedeelisiä Joutsenlauluja
Scarlet Thread Prog Folk

Review by barp

4 stars A great album of progressive psychedelic folk music. If you enjoy violin in an electric setting - as I do - you will be find this album a gem. The instrumention of the band flute, violin, bass, guitar and drums (occassionally supplimented by keyboards) tends towards a sparse open sound which perfectly suits the music. The compositions aren't overly complex or tricky, but are beautifully played and occassionally brought to mind some of the experimentaions of the West coast bands of the late sixties and early seventies both in style and atmosphere. Something different and well worth trying.
 Valheista Kaunein by SCARLET THREAD album cover Studio Album, 2006
3.89 | 23 ratings

BUY
Valheista Kaunein
Scarlet Thread Prog Folk

Review by pirkka

4 stars The Most Beautiful of Lies

That is the title roughly translated to english. The album cover and the name of the band and the thing that it is listed as a folk prog group gives me some expectations concerning the music. And yes there are moments of folkish mood when the band play low and either the violin or one of the guest flautists play nice folk melodies. But the overall feeling of the music is more straight forward guitar rock.

I can imagine atleast two Finnish influences for the band: Piirpauke and Tasavallan Presidentti. Piirpauke for the melodies and President for the rough rock sound. The combination is quite interesting. It takes a while to recognise the talents behind the little bit restless sound. At first I was dissapointed and thought that it sounded like a bunch of youngsters playing in the garage. The more you listen to the album the more you get acquainted with the atmosphere and start hearing the individuals from the whole. Also in my opinion the songs get better towards the end... There is no singing and I think that it is very refreshing. Firstly there are not so many such bands around and secondly it is difficult to find a talented singer. So many otherwise good groups get lame as the singer starts singing.

I would say that this would make a good addition to a somebodys prog collection, mine anyway.

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition. and to Matti for the last updates

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.