VERISÄKEET

Moonsorrow is a Finnish Pagan-Folk Metal band. Their early material, especially, is often far from 'progressive' and features much a hokey, if not cringe-inducing, sonic element, accordion being the biggest sin (yes, I acknowledge accordion can be used tastefully). See my review for Suden Uni if you wish to feel my pain at its worst today. Verisäkeet is the 2005 follow-up to the here-beloved Kivenkantaja, that a significantly enough better album than the two that precede, I must admit. With a mere 5-song tracklist and all tracks reaching above 8 minutes in length, I was intrigued. Optimistic? Perhaps. I had been feeling a bit downtrodden and jaded after their first two albums...

"Karhunkynsi" starts off in the naturalistic, setting-set type of way that I now expect from Moonsorrow. I really do think that it's a nice touch. Sounds like ravens squawking. Then, the folk-metal beginneth. Please, for the better... Things start off slow enough, but the main riff is pretty nice. If I may assume for all of Europe (as an American haha), a much more respectful, tasteful use of folk elements herein. All is relatively (as expected) static until around minute 10. So, good show for the end.

"Haaska" starts off brooding and actually gave me a bit of frisson. Frankly, this is the most excited for this band I've been. Really great set for atmosphere. They had my attention. First song I've added to my playlist haha. Genuinely good.

"Pimeä": Pretty much yeah. I like the clean vocals starting around 4:40(?). Any time they go into a half-time thing, it's pretty successfully moving. This song has some of the better 'melodic' metal moments.

The 19-minute epic "Jotunheim" starts off sweet but brooding enough, with a singular acoustic guitar plucked. It's joined by more. This builds for about 3 minutes; not ever my favorite choice to draw things out like this. But ultimately, this track has a lot to offer; compositionally interesting and well performed. It should be noted that, really, this song is not a whole lot longer than the rest, given the ending is this atmospheric, nature-sounds thing once again.

Back to the sea with "Kaiku". That's it. Whatever haha.

True Rate: 3.5/5.0