THOBY LOTH
Prog Folk • Finland
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THOBY LOTH is an energetic instrumental band hailing from Vaasa, Finland, formed in 2007, They combine grand melodic rock with medieval influences, inspired by the musical and non musical folklore of the Nordic regions and Eastern Europe. They actively tour and have released a live DVD in addition to a couple of studio albums. They are recommended to those who enjoy neo prog or progressive folk with an otherworldly character
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THOBY LOTH discography
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THOBY LOTH top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
![]() 2009 |
![]() 2012 |
THOBY LOTH Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
THOBY LOTH Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)
2009 |
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THOBY LOTH Reviews
Showing last 10 reviews only
Thoby Loth Prog Folk
Review by
Matti
Prog Reviewer

Compared to the debut Lägereldarnas Tid (= The Time of Campfires) that was inspired by Northern mythology and forests, Cauldron of Life seems to be slightly less folky and possibly tighter in the rock power. For example, there were some flute dominated moments on the debut that sounded a lot like PIIRPAUKE drawing from the Finnish folk music. On the other hand, I'm well aware how the imagery created by track titles affects on the way the music is felt. Figuratively speaking, the band came out of the ancient wood inhabited by mythological creatures, perhaps losing some of the folklore romanticism along the way. Track titles such as 'The Black Coast', 'Temple of the Stars' and 'Memories in Stone' sound more like a Tolkienesque fantasy drama with high-tech production.
But whatever images you may get, Thoby Loth clearly haven't lost their own Scandinavian-rooted identity on the altar of commercial aspirations. [Carved] stone has taken the place of the wood in the imagery, but in the end that's very appropriate, as the sound is sharper and rockier (Kenethlevine points out the preference of guitar over organ).
By the way, both albums include nine tracks, all fairly good and excellently produced. I'm ashamed to confess that when I was originally handwriting the very positive review on a piece of paper, I was listening to the debut by mistake, having accidentally placed the discs on the wrong covers. (And it had been several months since the last listening.) I felt like an idiot and was angrily frustrated, because I had to withdraw my comments dealing with individual tracks and the possible differences between the albums. Actually now I can only think that the differences are very minimal in music itself. Kenethlevine clearly prefers this one but for me the debut perhaps has a more sincere folky atmosphere while this is undoubtedly better from the hard rock aspect. The same fours stars again, then. Both albums warmly recommended to all listeners of powerful instrumental Folk Rock.
Thoby Loth Prog Folk
Review by
kenethlevine
Special Collaborator Prog-Folk Team

Finnish folk/neo outfit THOBY LOTH' second album continues in largely the same vein as their debut, yet somehow the results are far more appealing. The band rocks harder, particularly in the preference for lead and rhythm guitar over organ, the melodies are more haunting, and the arrangements are far more atmospheric, as if a spaceship could descend into the clearing and spoil or boost the party, or perhaps just hover above and act as a spotlight on the rituals.
"Cauldron of Life" is as consistent as its predecessor but at a far higher level, one that insists upon itself and makes the diversion worthwhile. Again, highlights are difficult to pick out, as this runs like a soundtrack. On that subject, I should add that vocals are not missing in this highly evocative music, and, if you know me, you know I like my vocals! On this disk, THOBY LOTH reminds me at times of a high voltage CELTAS CORTOS but this is a supreme example of generating a fresh sound out of recycled parts, all the better for their vintage. I do suggest you stop by the cauldron in the wood, you know, the one you avoided before. You won't be disappointed.
Thoby Loth Prog Folk
Review by
kenethlevine
Special Collaborator Prog-Folk Team

THOBY LOTH is a Finnish all instrumental group playing earth centered Nordic folk music with middle eastern and neo prog shadings. The flutes and keyboards of Tobias Tag predominate on this inaugural recording, with center stage occasionally belonging to Peter Enroth on lead guitar. While the music certainly recalls ancient shrouded rituals only feasible during fog choked nights with a full moon occasionally battling the obscurity, it also evokes occasionally marked and occasionally fleeting comparisons to the 1970s work of JETHRO TULL, KEBNEKAISE, FOCUS, and ASIA MINOR, as well as heavier acts.
It's all pretty entertaining and enjoyable, if passing by unnoticed a little too often. As consistent as it is, probably the best tracks are the last two, which are more atmospheric and even jazzy at moments. I think they most succinctly convey the band's leanings in a manner that suffuses one's core rather than intellect, that is to say, they are chillers! Supposedly based on ancient fairy tales, this collection is best not played at the bedsides of the young, but preferably at the hearth on the eve of a pagan festival erstwhile or otherwise.
Thoby Loth Prog Folk
Review by
Matti
Prog Reviewer

There are enough cameras to make it lively and nicely balanced between close-ups of the musicians and views of the whole band. The presence of the audience is almost unseen/unheard; this DVD is a total opposite for a seedy bootleg stuff, done so carefully that there's a rick of a little clinical taste to it. There's no fancy visualistic show on stage, but in front of it you occasionally see some fire artists at their work. Between some tracks you get few brief interview cuts of Tobias Tåg, telling about the formation and the goals of the band. And sometimes there's also some outdoor visualization (a forest, a campfire, a stream, etc), briefly at the beginning of a couple of tracks.
What would have increased the interest value is for example some guest performance (vocals or whatever) or otherwise unsimilar versions to the album tracks, or music outside the album, but this is pretty good as it is. For the music itself read my album review.
Thoby Loth Prog Folk
Review by
Matti
Prog Reviewer

'Faundans' is a perfect opener and gives a good picture of the band's style. The lively, folky melody is mostly led by flute, accompanied by powerful guitar chords, organ and a rhythm section, that quite certainly gives us associations to JETHRO TULL. The flute and its melodies are clearly more Nordic and folky in nature than Ian Anderson's, perhaps influenced by Sakari kukko's flutework in the Finnish ethnic jazz legend PIIRPAUKE. Indeed, decrease the jazziness and world music elements and increase rock, and one could consider PIIRPAUKE as some kind of a forefather to this band too. On the whole it's perhaps easier to find bands with similar approach from continental Europe, Sweden and the U.K. than from Finland. 'Rus' is slightly harder rocking tune. Peter Enroth uses both acoustic and electric guitars and bouzouki very effectively. 'Näcken' (= a mythological creature living in lakes) has slower tempo, and the softly played flute weaves an exciting atmosphere. Maybe the track could have gone deeper into that delicate and gloomy atmosphere, and minimized the rock aspect for change. But not bad at all anyway.
The next three tracks form a 'Trilogi', starting with the title track. By now the band's stylistic repertoire has become quite familiar already, and those expecting more progressivity and variety may feel a bit disappointed. But hopefully the certain degree of narrowness in composing and performance is compensated by the fresh and solid Prog Folk sound. I believe this music will please the ears of those who enjoy the folkiest elements of JETHRO TULL and bands such as KEBNEKAJSE and why not also BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, as they might sound without the sweet vocals of Candice Night and with more flute. So, there may be nothing new under the sun, but THOBY LOTH do what they do with great skill and taste. A very convincing debut worth of 3½ stars.