#korpiklaani — Public Fediverse posts

There’s a tendency amongst folk and folk-adjacent metal bands to become goofier over time. Bands like Alestorm and Wind Rose began their careers with a semblance of seriousness before walking the plank into potty humor and/or covering YouTube Minecraft songs. The Netherlands’ “epic party folk metal” band Mourning Wood are the first I’ve encountered to have started here on purpose. Having shared stages with the aforementioned bands, and given their name that’s got the whole sixth grade laughing, Mourning Wood have the sophomoric mentality to fit within this particular niche of the sub-genre. Sporting their debut record Rise & Shine, Mourning Wood promise “the perfect foundation for a great night with unexpected turns, alcohol, and bad decisions.” But does Mourning Wood rise to meet the party’s energy, or does Rise & Shine fall limp at the first sign of action?

Mourning Wood’s up for some fun, but Rise & Shine’s party angle feels half-cocked. Energy’s no issue, though; Mourning Wood peddle a brand of high-octane extreme-power-folk metal. “Heathen Hooray” and “The Vikening”‘s sword-swinging heroics recall the frantic melodicism of Ensiferum and Æther Realm, and the lighthearted jauntiness of Korpiklaani turns up on “Behind Enemy Lines” and “Seaman Shanty.” Rise & Shine also goes down easy enough for a party atmosphere, because while many of its songs run long, they are well-paced and shockingly well-produced and mixed. What crashes Rise & Shine’s party is comedy. It’s not funny. Now, comedy is as subjective as it comes, but besides some low-hanging jizz puns (“Seaman Shanty”) there aren’t really any jokes. “American rednecks are ridiculous” (“Redneck Redemption”). “Nordaboos are silly” (“Modern Day Viking”). That’s about it. Musically, Mourning Wood takes some turns that could inspire a chuckle, but most are too obvious—banjo in “Redneck Redemption,” EDM in “Dwarven Dance”—to do much for me.1 I love the energy, but the goofy side of Rise & Shine fails to excite.

But don’t sleep on Mourning Wood, ’cause Rise & Shine still has bangers. Epic in scope and immediate in appeal, Rise & Shine is a head-bobbing joy ride more often than not. Mourning Wood know their way around a chorus, whether it be mead-quaffing ragers like “Heathen Hooray” or simply epic peaks like “Rise & Fall.” More surprisingly, Rise & Shine’s bridges are consistently its high points. Surefire crowd-pleasing group vocals in “The Vikening,” a theremin solo in “Modern Day Vikining,” an unsurprising-yet-effective break into reggae in “Blastafari;” Mourning Wood can’t be accused of phoning it in. Rise & Shine’s musical eccentricity recalls Diablo Swing Orchestra on occasion, not because Mourning Wood necessarily sound like DSO (though “Redneck Redemption” swings quite hard) but because it feels like nothing is ever off the table. Album highlight “Blastafari” alone shifts between meloblack blasting, Finntrollesque folk, power riffing, and the aforementioned reggae bridge. Not every swing is a hit, but nobody can say Mourning Wood ain’t swinging it.

I’ve found a good rule of thumb for Mourning Wood: the longer, the better. The epics of Rise & Shine are routinely engaging, managing their girthy runtimes with rock-solid songwriting. Viking bravado fuels the dynamic opener “Behind Enemy Lines,” and “Rise & Fall” marches with the slow-burn glory of Caladan Brood into a gangbusters climax. At its grandest, Rise & Shine puts out whiffs of Equilibrium’s Sagas, and that’s no small feat. Even songs that aren’t at typical epic lengths fill the niche. I keep forgetting “Heathen Hooray” and “Blastafari” are only five and five-and-a-half minutes respectively, not because they’re slogs to get through but because Mourning Wood pack so much into them it feels like they should be twice as long. Funnily enough, Mourning Wood are significantly more fun when they’re treating Rise & Shine with a modicum of seriousness than when they’re acting a fool.

My time with Mourning Wood was but distinctly frustrating, but unquestionably enjoyable. The highlights of Rise & Shine are some of the best folk metal I’ve heard in years, while its lowlights are some of the most tedious. I don’t want to suggest to Mourning Wood to cut the comedy out of their music entirely, because that’s clearly something important to them. Instead, if they treated their gags with the care, precision, and fervor they put into their metal work, their next album could be hilarious. I know in my heart they can nail being funny and epic. Regardless, let it be known that the next time I chance an encounter with Mourning Wood, I will seize upon it posthaste.

Rating: Good
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps MP3
Label: Self-Release2
Websites: mourningwood.nl | facebook.com/mourningwoodparty | mourningwoodband.bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: September 18th, 2026

There’s a tendency amongst folk and folk-adjacent metal bands to become goofier over time. Bands like Alestorm and Wind Rose began their careers with a semblance of seriousness before walking the plank into potty humor and/or covering YouTube Minecraft songs. The Netherlands’ “epic party folk metal” band Mourning Wood are the first I’ve encountered to have started here on purpose. Having shared stages with the aforementioned bands, and given their name that’s got the whole sixth grade laughing, Mourning Wood have the sophomoric mentality to fit within this particular niche of the sub-genre. Sporting their debut record Rise & Shine, Mourning Wood promise “the perfect foundation for a great night with unexpected turns, alcohol, and bad decisions.” But does Mourning Wood rise to meet the party’s energy, or does Rise & Shine fall limp at the first sign of action?

Mourning Wood’s up for some fun, but Rise & Shine’s party angle feels half-cocked. Energy’s no issue, though; Mourning Wood peddle a brand of high-octane extreme-power-folk metal. “Heathen Hooray” and “The Vikening”‘s sword-swinging heroics recall the frantic melodicism of Ensiferum and Æther Realm, and the lighthearted jauntiness of Korpiklaani turns up on “Behind Enemy Lines” and “Seaman Shanty.” Rise & Shine also goes down easy enough for a party atmosphere, because while many of its songs run long, they are well-paced and shockingly well-produced and mixed. What crashes Rise & Shine’s party is comedy. It’s not funny. Now, comedy is as subjective as it comes, but besides some low-hanging jizz puns (“Seaman Shanty”) there aren’t really any jokes. “American rednecks are ridiculous” (“Redneck Redemption”). “Nordaboos are silly” (“Modern Day Viking”). That’s about it. Musically, Mourning Wood takes some turns that could inspire a chuckle, but most are too obvious—banjo in “Redneck Redemption,” EDM in “Dwarven Dance”—to do much for me.1 I love the energy, but the goofy side of Rise & Shine fails to excite.

But don’t sleep on Mourning Wood, ’cause Rise & Shine still has bangers. Epic in scope and immediate in appeal, Rise & Shine is a head-bobbing joy ride more often than not. Mourning Wood know their way around a chorus, whether it be mead-quaffing ragers like “Heathen Hooray” or simply epic peaks like “Rise & Fall.” More surprisingly, Rise & Shine’s bridges are consistently its high points. Surefire crowd-pleasing group vocals in “The Vikening,” a theremin solo in “Modern Day Vikining,” an unsurprising-yet-effective break into reggae in “Blastafari;” Mourning Wood can’t be accused of phoning it in. Rise & Shine’s musical eccentricity recalls Diablo Swing Orchestra on occasion, not because Mourning Wood necessarily sound like DSO (though “Redneck Redemption” swings quite hard) but because it feels like nothing is ever off the table. Album highlight “Blastafari” alone shifts between meloblack blasting, Finntrollesque folk, power riffing, and the aforementioned reggae bridge. Not every swing is a hit, but nobody can say Mourning Wood ain’t swinging it.

I’ve found a good rule of thumb for Mourning Wood: the longer, the better. The epics of Rise & Shine are routinely engaging, managing their girthy runtimes with rock-solid songwriting. Viking bravado fuels the dynamic opener “Behind Enemy Lines,” and “Rise & Fall” marches with the slow-burn glory of Caladan Brood into a gangbusters climax. At its grandest, Rise & Shine puts out whiffs of Equilibrium’s Sagas, and that’s no small feat. Even songs that aren’t at typical epic lengths fill the niche. I keep forgetting “Heathen Hooray” and “Blastafari” are only five and five-and-a-half minutes respectively, not because they’re slogs to get through but because Mourning Wood pack so much into them it feels like they should be twice as long. Funnily enough, Mourning Wood are significantly more fun when they’re treating Rise & Shine with a modicum of seriousness than when they’re acting a fool.

My time with Mourning Wood was but distinctly frustrating, but unquestionably enjoyable. The highlights of Rise & Shine are some of the best folk metal I’ve heard in years, while its lowlights are some of the most tedious. I don’t want to suggest to Mourning Wood to cut the comedy out of their music entirely, because that’s clearly something important to them. Instead, if they treated their gags with the care, precision, and fervor they put into their metal work, their next album could be hilarious. I know in my heart they can nail being funny and epic. Regardless, let it be known that the next time I chance an encounter with Mourning Wood, I will seize upon it posthaste.

Rating: Good
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps MP3
Label: Self-Release2
Websites: mourningwood.nl | facebook.com/mourningwoodparty | mourningwoodband.bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: September 18th, 2026

There’s a tendency amongst folk and folk-adjacent metal bands to become goofier over time. Bands like Alestorm and Wind Rose began their careers with a semblance of seriousness before walking the plank into potty humor and/or covering YouTube Minecraft songs. The Netherlands’ “epic party folk metal” band Mourning Wood are the first I’ve encountered to have started here on purpose. Having shared stages with the aforementioned bands, and given their name that’s got the whole sixth grade laughing, Mourning Wood have the sophomoric mentality to fit within this particular niche of the sub-genre. Sporting their debut record Rise & Shine, Mourning Wood promise “the perfect foundation for a great night with unexpected turns, alcohol, and bad decisions.” But does Mourning Wood rise to meet the party’s energy, or does Rise & Shine fall limp at the first sign of action?

Mourning Wood’s up for some fun, but Rise & Shine’s party angle feels half-cocked. Energy’s no issue, though; Mourning Wood peddle a brand of high-octane extreme-power-folk metal. “Heathen Hooray” and “The Vikening”‘s sword-swinging heroics recall the frantic melodicism of Ensiferum and Æther Realm, and the lighthearted jauntiness of Korpiklaani turns up on “Behind Enemy Lines” and “Seaman Shanty.” Rise & Shine also goes down easy enough for a party atmosphere, because while many of its songs run long, they are well-paced and shockingly well-produced and mixed. What crashes Rise & Shine’s party is comedy. It’s not funny. Now, comedy is as subjective as it comes, but besides some low-hanging jizz puns (“Seaman Shanty”) there aren’t really any jokes. “American rednecks are ridiculous” (“Redneck Redemption”). “Nordaboos are silly” (“Modern Day Viking”). That’s about it. Musically, Mourning Wood takes some turns that could inspire a chuckle, but most are too obvious—banjo in “Redneck Redemption,” EDM in “Dwarven Dance”—to do much for me.1 I love the energy, but the goofy side of Rise & Shine fails to excite.

But don’t sleep on Mourning Wood, ’cause Rise & Shine still has bangers. Epic in scope and immediate in appeal, Rise & Shine is a head-bobbing joy ride more often than not. Mourning Wood know their way around a chorus, whether it be mead-quaffing ragers like “Heathen Hooray” or simply epic peaks like “Rise & Fall.” More surprisingly, Rise & Shine’s bridges are consistently its high points. Surefire crowd-pleasing group vocals in “The Vikening,” a theremin solo in “Modern Day Vikining,” an unsurprising-yet-effective break into reggae in “Blastafari;” Mourning Wood can’t be accused of phoning it in. Rise & Shine’s musical eccentricity recalls Diablo Swing Orchestra on occasion, not because Mourning Wood necessarily sound like DSO (though “Redneck Redemption” swings quite hard) but because it feels like nothing is ever off the table. Album highlight “Blastafari” alone shifts between meloblack blasting, Finntrollesque folk, power riffing, and the aforementioned reggae bridge. Not every swing is a hit, but nobody can say Mourning Wood ain’t swinging it.

I’ve found a good rule of thumb for Mourning Wood: the longer, the better. The epics of Rise & Shine are routinely engaging, managing their girthy runtimes with rock-solid songwriting. Viking bravado fuels the dynamic opener “Behind Enemy Lines,” and “Rise & Fall” marches with the slow-burn glory of Caladan Brood into a gangbusters climax. At its grandest, Rise & Shine puts out whiffs of Equilibrium’s Sagas, and that’s no small feat. Even songs that aren’t at typical epic lengths fill the niche. I keep forgetting “Heathen Hooray” and “Blastafari” are only five and five-and-a-half minutes respectively, not because they’re slogs to get through but because Mourning Wood pack so much into them it feels like they should be twice as long. Funnily enough, Mourning Wood are significantly more fun when they’re treating Rise & Shine with a modicum of seriousness than when they’re acting a fool.

My time with Mourning Wood was but distinctly frustrating, but unquestionably enjoyable. The highlights of Rise & Shine are some of the best folk metal I’ve heard in years, while its lowlights are some of the most tedious. I don’t want to suggest to Mourning Wood to cut the comedy out of their music entirely, because that’s clearly something important to them. Instead, if they treated their gags with the care, precision, and fervor they put into their metal work, their next album could be hilarious. I know in my heart they can nail being funny and epic. Regardless, let it be known that the next time I chance an encounter with Mourning Wood, I will seize upon it posthaste.

Rating: Good
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps MP3
Label: Self-Release2
Websites: mourningwood.nl | facebook.com/mourningwoodparty | mourningwoodband.bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: September 18th, 2026

There’s a tendency amongst folk and folk-adjacent metal bands to become goofier over time. Bands like Alestorm and Wind Rose began their careers with a semblance of seriousness before walking the plank into potty humor and/or covering YouTube Minecraft songs. The Netherlands’ “epic party folk metal” band Mourning Wood are the first I’ve encountered to have started here on purpose. Having shared stages with the aforementioned bands, and given their name that’s got the whole sixth grade laughing, Mourning Wood have the sophomoric mentality to fit within this particular niche of the sub-genre. Sporting their debut record Rise & Shine, Mourning Wood promise “the perfect foundation for a great night with unexpected turns, alcohol, and bad decisions.” But does Mourning Wood rise to meet the party’s energy, or does Rise & Shine fall limp at the first sign of action?

Mourning Wood’s up for some fun, but Rise & Shine’s party angle feels half-cocked. Energy’s no issue, though; Mourning Wood peddle a brand of high-octane extreme-power-folk metal. “Heathen Hooray” and “The Vikening”‘s sword-swinging heroics recall the frantic melodicism of Ensiferum and Æther Realm, and the lighthearted jauntiness of Korpiklaani turns up on “Behind Enemy Lines” and “Seaman Shanty.” Rise & Shine also goes down easy enough for a party atmosphere, because while many of its songs run long, they are well-paced and shockingly well-produced and mixed. What crashes Rise & Shine’s party is comedy. It’s not funny. Now, comedy is as subjective as it comes, but besides some low-hanging jizz puns (“Seaman Shanty”) there aren’t really any jokes. “American rednecks are ridiculous” (“Redneck Redemption”). “Nordaboos are silly” (“Modern Day Viking”). That’s about it. Musically, Mourning Wood takes some turns that could inspire a chuckle, but most are too obvious—banjo in “Redneck Redemption,” EDM in “Dwarven Dance”—to do much for me.1 I love the energy, but the goofy side of Rise & Shine fails to excite.

But don’t sleep on Mourning Wood, ’cause Rise & Shine still has bangers. Epic in scope and immediate in appeal, Rise & Shine is a head-bobbing joy ride more often than not. Mourning Wood know their way around a chorus, whether it be mead-quaffing ragers like “Heathen Hooray” or simply epic peaks like “Rise & Fall.” More surprisingly, Rise & Shine’s bridges are consistently its high points. Surefire crowd-pleasing group vocals in “The Vikening,” a theremin solo in “Modern Day Vikining,” an unsurprising-yet-effective break into reggae in “Blastafari;” Mourning Wood can’t be accused of phoning it in. Rise & Shine’s musical eccentricity recalls Diablo Swing Orchestra on occasion, not because Mourning Wood necessarily sound like DSO (though “Redneck Redemption” swings quite hard) but because it feels like nothing is ever off the table. Album highlight “Blastafari” alone shifts between meloblack blasting, Finntrollesque folk, power riffing, and the aforementioned reggae bridge. Not every swing is a hit, but nobody can say Mourning Wood ain’t swinging it.

I’ve found a good rule of thumb for Mourning Wood: the longer, the better. The epics of Rise & Shine are routinely engaging, managing their girthy runtimes with rock-solid songwriting. Viking bravado fuels the dynamic opener “Behind Enemy Lines,” and “Rise & Fall” marches with the slow-burn glory of Caladan Brood into a gangbusters climax. At its grandest, Rise & Shine puts out whiffs of Equilibrium’s Sagas, and that’s no small feat. Even songs that aren’t at typical epic lengths fill the niche. I keep forgetting “Heathen Hooray” and “Blastafari” are only five and five-and-a-half minutes respectively, not because they’re slogs to get through but because Mourning Wood pack so much into them it feels like they should be twice as long. Funnily enough, Mourning Wood are significantly more fun when they’re treating Rise & Shine with a modicum of seriousness than when they’re acting a fool.

My time with Mourning Wood was but distinctly frustrating, but unquestionably enjoyable. The highlights of Rise & Shine are some of the best folk metal I’ve heard in years, while its lowlights are some of the most tedious. I don’t want to suggest to Mourning Wood to cut the comedy out of their music entirely, because that’s clearly something important to them. Instead, if they treated their gags with the care, precision, and fervor they put into their metal work, their next album could be hilarious. I know in my heart they can nail being funny and epic. Regardless, let it be known that the next time I chance an encounter with Mourning Wood, I will seize upon it posthaste.

Rating: Good
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps MP3
Label: Self-Release2
Websites: mourningwood.nl | facebook.com/mourningwoodparty | mourningwoodband.bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: September 18th, 2026

https://www.europesays.com/fi/321429/ Festariennakko: Wallhill Metal Festival päättää kesän kotimaisen metallin kärkinimillä #ensiferum #Entertainment #FI #Finland #Finnish #korpiklaani #Music #Musiikki #nicole #Stam1na #Suomi #Tarot #viihde #WallhillMetalFestival

Home to cuckoo clocks, namesake gateaux,1 and Bollenhüte, Germany’s Schwarzwald (Black Forest) has functioned as folklore fodder for centuries. Ever since dropping debut EP Wiege der Finsternis, Finsterforst has mined their homeland for inspiration, and after five albums they’re Still at it. Though only three years removed from 2023’s EP Jenseits, Still is Finsterforst’s first proper album in seven years.2 If this is your Finsterfirst time experiencing the band’s wares, Finsterforst revels in long-form folk compositions that conjure the stateliness and beauty of nature, and on Still these Germaniacs deliver another generous portion of real-deal, certified folk magic. After so much time walking through the woods, does Still forge a better path, or has Finsterforst lost their way?

Fans of Finsterforst’s recent work should be pleased with Still, as the distinctly Deutsch niche they’ve carved out persists with a twist of noble melancholy. To mein ears, Still plays like folk/black metal garnished with Neue Deutsche Härte accents as they merge seismic riffs and sustained synths with atmospheric textures, cinematic orchestrations, and a staggering tonal depth. Early Finsterforst leaned heavily into folksy fun, where jaunty accordion leads and spirited bass punches draw comparisons to Korpiklaani and Turisas. As Finsterforst evolved, song lengths ballooned, and they pushed further into realms of mood and emotional swells. While vestiges of their early sound remain, Finsterforst now hews much closer to the likes of Moonsorrow, although instead of basking in the wintry waters of Scandinavian paganism, this German septet reveres the temperate charms of an enchanted wood.

From its outset, Still conjures the ethereal beauty of nature and merges it with crushing might and overwhelming pathos. Opener “Obduktion” kicks off with an airy lead before dropping the hammer with meticulously crafted riffs and synth accents that remind me of Rammstein and Eisbrecher. Yet Still doesn’t dramatically shift Finsterforst’s songwriting towards Neue Deutsche Härte—this facet has been a part of their sound for years. Rather, Finsterforst adopts a less-is-moar philosophy that makes the parallels stand out more starkly. For instance, “Stille Nacht” begins with a riff that recalls Rammstein’s “Mein Teil,” driving momentum with thick ‘n’ beefy muscle. Both “Knie Nieder” and “Herbstwanderung” expertly blend the heavy with the tender, and “Fels” glistens with acoustic guitar underpinning vocalist Olli Berlin’s mesmerizing vocals. And it’s here that Finsterforst unfetters their most potent weapon. Berlin’s vocals give me goosebumps each playthrough, and his impassioned barks and sonorous cleans proffer varied deliveries throughout Still. Yet more than that, they supply the perfect counterpoint to Finsterforst’s soundscape as the outfit maneuvers between impassioned discharges and reverb-saturated refrains supported by gorgeous choral elements and brassy orchestrations. Still captures Finsterforst at their most subtle and stripped down, where laying their arrangements bare exposes naked splendor.

Despite the extreme runtime of Still, Finsterforst retools their approach to make it more accessible. In his review of Mach Dich Frei, El Cuervo identified the record’s length as cumbersome taken all at once, even if the individual tracks succeeded. On Still, the songs boast more palatable lengths than LPs past, and here only final original track, “Leere” overstays its welcome at twenty-four minutes.3 The two covers at the end, Immortal’s “Beyond the North Waves” and Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. II” commendably adapt versions of the songs to Finsterforst’s own style, yet push the runtime an extra fourteen minutes that otherwise would have delivered the band’s most succinct album to date. More positively, the production has improved since Mach Dich Frei and Zerfall, and even though the DR score only suggests a modest improvement, Still sounds better than any of the band’s other recent output.

In a month with few highlights, Finsterforst’s Still shines as a welcome bright spot. Dynamic songwriting, masterful command of tension, and inspired performances litter the album. Finsterforst addresses past offenses by adding depth to the mix and demonstrating more economical songwriting song-by-song, even though Still’s overall length perpetuates Finsterforst’s reputation for bloat. Regardless, I often find myself lost in Still’s woods without caring about how long the walk is, as the sights along the way are unequivocally worth the stroll.

Rating: Very Good
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: AOP Records
Websites: Website | Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: July 31st, 2026

Home to cuckoo clocks, namesake gateaux,1 and Bollenhüte, Germany’s Schwarzwald (Black Forest) has functioned as folklore fodder for centuries. Ever since dropping debut EP Wiege der Finsternis, Finsterforst has mined their homeland for inspiration, and after five albums they’re Still at it. Though only three years removed from 2023’s EP Jenseits, Still is Finsterforst’s first proper album in seven years.2 If this is your Finsterfirst time experiencing the band’s wares, Finsterforst revels in long-form folk compositions that conjure the stateliness and beauty of nature, and on Still these Germaniacs deliver another generous portion of real-deal, certified folk magic. After so much time walking through the woods, does Still forge a better path, or has Finsterforst lost their way?

Fans of Finsterforst’s recent work should be pleased with Still, as the distinctly Deutsch niche they’ve carved out persists with a twist of noble melancholy. To mein ears, Still plays like folk/black metal garnished with Neue Deutsche Härte accents as they merge seismic riffs and sustained synths with atmospheric textures, cinematic orchestrations, and a staggering tonal depth. Early Finsterforst leaned heavily into folksy fun, where jaunty accordion leads and spirited bass punches draw comparisons to Korpiklaani and Turisas. As Finsterforst evolved, song lengths ballooned, and they pushed further into realms of mood and emotional swells. While vestiges of their early sound remain, Finsterforst now hews much closer to the likes of Moonsorrow, although instead of basking in the wintry waters of Scandinavian paganism, this German septet reveres the temperate charms of an enchanted wood.

From its outset, Still conjures the ethereal beauty of nature and merges it with crushing might and overwhelming pathos. Opener “Obduktion” kicks off with an airy lead before dropping the hammer with meticulously crafted riffs and synth accents that remind me of Rammstein and Eisbrecher. Yet Still doesn’t dramatically shift Finsterforst’s songwriting towards Neue Deutsche Härte—this facet has been a part of their sound for years. Rather, Finsterforst adopts a less-is-moar philosophy that makes the parallels stand out more starkly. For instance, “Stille Nacht” begins with a riff that recalls Rammstein’s “Mein Teil,” driving momentum with thick ‘n’ beefy muscle. Both “Knie Nieder” and “Herbstwanderung” expertly blend the heavy with the tender, and “Fels” glistens with acoustic guitar underpinning vocalist Olli Berlin’s mesmerizing vocals. And it’s here that Finsterforst unfetters their most potent weapon. Berlin’s vocals give me goosebumps each playthrough, and his impassioned barks and sonorous cleans proffer varied deliveries throughout Still. Yet more than that, they supply the perfect counterpoint to Finsterforst’s soundscape as the outfit maneuvers between impassioned discharges and reverb-saturated refrains supported by gorgeous choral elements and brassy orchestrations. Still captures Finsterforst at their most subtle and stripped down, where laying their arrangements bare exposes naked splendor.

Despite the extreme runtime of Still, Finsterforst retools their approach to make it more accessible. In his review of Mach Dich Frei, El Cuervo identified the record’s length as cumbersome taken all at once, even if the individual tracks succeeded. On Still, the songs boast more palatable lengths than LPs past, and here only final original track, “Leere” overstays its welcome at twenty-four minutes.3 The two covers at the end, Immortal’s “Beyond the North Waves” and Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. II” commendably adapt versions of the songs to Finsterforst’s own style, yet push the runtime an extra fourteen minutes that otherwise would have delivered the band’s most succinct album to date. More positively, the production has improved since Mach Dich Frei and Zerfall, and even though the DR score only suggests a modest improvement, Still sounds better than any of the band’s other recent output.

In a month with few highlights, Finsterforst’s Still shines as a welcome bright spot. Dynamic songwriting, masterful command of tension, and inspired performances litter the album. Finsterforst addresses past offenses by adding depth to the mix and demonstrating more economical songwriting song-by-song, even though Still’s overall length perpetuates Finsterforst’s reputation for bloat. Regardless, I often find myself lost in Still’s woods without caring about how long the walk is, as the sights along the way are unequivocally worth the stroll.

Rating: Very Good
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: AOP Records
Websites: Website | Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: July 31st, 2026

Home to cuckoo clocks, namesake gateaux,1 and Bollenhüte, Germany’s Schwarzwald (Black Forest) has functioned as folklore fodder for centuries. Ever since dropping debut EP Wiege der Finsternis, Finsterforst has mined their homeland for inspiration, and after five albums they’re Still at it. Though only three years removed from 2023’s EP Jenseits, Still is Finsterforst’s first proper album in seven years.2 If this is your Finsterfirst time experiencing the band’s wares, Finsterforst revels in long-form folk compositions that conjure the stateliness and beauty of nature, and on Still these Germaniacs deliver another generous portion of real-deal, certified folk magic. After so much time walking through the woods, does Still forge a better path, or has Finsterforst lost their way?

Fans of Finsterforst’s recent work should be pleased with Still, as the distinctly Deutsch niche they’ve carved out persists with a twist of noble melancholy. To mein ears, Still plays like folk/black metal garnished with Neue Deutsche Härte accents as they merge seismic riffs and sustained synths with atmospheric textures, cinematic orchestrations, and a staggering tonal depth. Early Finsterforst leaned heavily into folksy fun, where jaunty accordion leads and spirited bass punches draw comparisons to Korpiklaani and Turisas. As Finsterforst evolved, song lengths ballooned, and they pushed further into realms of mood and emotional swells. While vestiges of their early sound remain, Finsterforst now hews much closer to the likes of Moonsorrow, although instead of basking in the wintry waters of Scandinavian paganism, this German septet reveres the temperate charms of an enchanted wood.

From its outset, Still conjures the ethereal beauty of nature and merges it with crushing might and overwhelming pathos. Opener “Obduktion” kicks off with an airy lead before dropping the hammer with meticulously crafted riffs and synth accents that remind me of Rammstein and Eisbrecher. Yet Still doesn’t dramatically shift Finsterforst’s songwriting towards Neue Deutsche Härte—this facet has been a part of their sound for years. Rather, Finsterforst adopts a less-is-moar philosophy that makes the parallels stand out more starkly. For instance, “Stille Nacht” begins with a riff that recalls Rammstein’s “Mein Teil,” driving momentum with thick ‘n’ beefy muscle. Both “Knie Nieder” and “Herbstwanderung” expertly blend the heavy with the tender, and “Fels” glistens with acoustic guitar underpinning vocalist Olli Berlin’s mesmerizing vocals. And it’s here that Finsterforst unfetters their most potent weapon. Berlin’s vocals give me goosebumps each playthrough, and his impassioned barks and sonorous cleans proffer varied deliveries throughout Still. Yet more than that, they supply the perfect counterpoint to Finsterforst’s soundscape as the outfit maneuvers between impassioned discharges and reverb-saturated refrains supported by gorgeous choral elements and brassy orchestrations. Still captures Finsterforst at their most subtle and stripped down, where laying their arrangements bare exposes naked splendor.

Despite the extreme runtime of Still, Finsterforst retools their approach to make it more accessible. In his review of Mach Dich Frei, El Cuervo identified the record’s length as cumbersome taken all at once, even if the individual tracks succeeded. On Still, the songs boast more palatable lengths than LPs past, and here only final original track, “Leere” overstays its welcome at twenty-four minutes.3 The two covers at the end, Immortal’s “Beyond the North Waves” and Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. II” commendably adapt versions of the songs to Finsterforst’s own style, yet push the runtime an extra fourteen minutes that otherwise would have delivered the band’s most succinct album to date. More positively, the production has improved since Mach Dich Frei and Zerfall, and even though the DR score only suggests a modest improvement, Still sounds better than any of the band’s other recent output.

In a month with few highlights, Finsterforst’s Still shines as a welcome bright spot. Dynamic songwriting, masterful command of tension, and inspired performances litter the album. Finsterforst addresses past offenses by adding depth to the mix and demonstrating more economical songwriting song-by-song, even though Still’s overall length perpetuates Finsterforst’s reputation for bloat. Regardless, I often find myself lost in Still’s woods without caring about how long the walk is, as the sights along the way are unequivocally worth the stroll.

Rating: Very Good
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: AOP Records
Websites: Website | Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: July 31st, 2026

Home to cuckoo clocks, namesake gateaux,1 and Bollenhüte, Germany’s Schwarzwald (Black Forest) has functioned as folklore fodder for centuries. Ever since dropping debut EP Wiege der Finsternis, Finsterforst has mined their homeland for inspiration, and after five albums they’re Still at it. Though only three years removed from 2023’s EP Jenseits, Still is Finsterforst’s first proper album in seven years.2 If this is your Finsterfirst time experiencing the band’s wares, Finsterforst revels in long-form folk compositions that conjure the stateliness and beauty of nature, and on Still these Germaniacs deliver another generous portion of real-deal, certified folk magic. After so much time walking through the woods, does Still forge a better path, or has Finsterforst lost their way?

Fans of Finsterforst’s recent work should be pleased with Still, as the distinctly Deutsch niche they’ve carved out persists with a twist of noble melancholy. To mein ears, Still plays like folk/black metal garnished with Neue Deutsche Härte accents as they merge seismic riffs and sustained synths with atmospheric textures, cinematic orchestrations, and a staggering tonal depth. Early Finsterforst leaned heavily into folksy fun, where jaunty accordion leads and spirited bass punches draw comparisons to Korpiklaani and Turisas. As Finsterforst evolved, song lengths ballooned, and they pushed further into realms of mood and emotional swells. While vestiges of their early sound remain, Finsterforst now hews much closer to the likes of Moonsorrow, although instead of basking in the wintry waters of Scandinavian paganism, this German septet reveres the temperate charms of an enchanted wood.

From its outset, Still conjures the ethereal beauty of nature and merges it with crushing might and overwhelming pathos. Opener “Obduktion” kicks off with an airy lead before dropping the hammer with meticulously crafted riffs and synth accents that remind me of Rammstein and Eisbrecher. Yet Still doesn’t dramatically shift Finsterforst’s songwriting towards Neue Deutsche Härte—this facet has been a part of their sound for years. Rather, Finsterforst adopts a less-is-moar philosophy that makes the parallels stand out more starkly. For instance, “Stille Nacht” begins with a riff that recalls Rammstein’s “Mein Teil,” driving momentum with thick ‘n’ beefy muscle. Both “Knie Nieder” and “Herbstwanderung” expertly blend the heavy with the tender, and “Fels” glistens with acoustic guitar underpinning vocalist Olli Berlin’s mesmerizing vocals. And it’s here that Finsterforst unfetters their most potent weapon. Berlin’s vocals give me goosebumps each playthrough, and his impassioned barks and sonorous cleans proffer varied deliveries throughout Still. Yet more than that, they supply the perfect counterpoint to Finsterforst’s soundscape as the outfit maneuvers between impassioned discharges and reverb-saturated refrains supported by gorgeous choral elements and brassy orchestrations. Still captures Finsterforst at their most subtle and stripped down, where laying their arrangements bare exposes naked splendor.

Despite the extreme runtime of Still, Finsterforst retools their approach to make it more accessible. In his review of Mach Dich Frei, El Cuervo identified the record’s length as cumbersome taken all at once, even if the individual tracks succeeded. On Still, the songs boast more palatable lengths than LPs past, and here only final original track, “Leere” overstays its welcome at twenty-four minutes.3 The two covers at the end, Immortal’s “Beyond the North Waves” and Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. II” commendably adapt versions of the songs to Finsterforst’s own style, yet push the runtime an extra fourteen minutes that otherwise would have delivered the band’s most succinct album to date. More positively, the production has improved since Mach Dich Frei and Zerfall, and even though the DR score only suggests a modest improvement, Still sounds better than any of the band’s other recent output.

In a month with few highlights, Finsterforst’s Still shines as a welcome bright spot. Dynamic songwriting, masterful command of tension, and inspired performances litter the album. Finsterforst addresses past offenses by adding depth to the mix and demonstrating more economical songwriting song-by-song, even though Still’s overall length perpetuates Finsterforst’s reputation for bloat. Regardless, I often find myself lost in Still’s woods without caring about how long the walk is, as the sights along the way are unequivocally worth the stroll.

Rating: Very Good
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: AOP Records
Websites: Website | Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: July 31st, 2026

Also, #Korpiklaani, I guess

https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/132147-002-A/korpiklaani/

#Arte #ArteConcerts #sternenklang_festival_2026

Also, #Korpiklaani, I guess

https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/132147-002-A/korpiklaani/

#Arte #ArteConcerts #sternenklang_festival_2026

Also, #Korpiklaani, I guess

https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/132147-002-A/korpiklaani/

#Arte #ArteConcerts #sternenklang_festival_2026

https://www.europesays.com/es/381382/ Crónica y fotos de KORPIKLAANI + FINNTROLL + HEIDEVOLK + TROLLFEST + THE DREAD CREW OF ODDWOOD en Madrid – WWW.RAFABASA.COM #Entertainment #Entretenimiento #ES #España #FINNTROLL #HEIDEVOLK #KORPIKLAANI #Music #Música #Spain #THEDREADCREWOFODDWOOD #TROLLFEST

https://www.europesays.com/es/328347/ Entrevista con el fundador y líder de KORPIKLAANI Jonne Järvelä, previa al Heidenfest #Entertainment #Entretenimiento #ES #España #KORPIKLAANI #Music #Música #Spain

@Moss
Those wacky Finns seem most into it
#korpiklaani #FolkMetal #Finland #Metal #accordion 🪗🤘🏽
https://youtu.be/EaTISifHaeg

@Moss
Those wacky Finns seem most into it
#korpiklaani #FolkMetal #Finland #Metal #accordion 🪗🤘🏽
https://youtu.be/EaTISifHaeg

@Moss
Those wacky Finns seem most into it
#korpiklaani #FolkMetal #Finland #Metal #accordion 🪗🤘🏽
https://youtu.be/EaTISifHaeg

@Moss
Those wacky Finns seem most into it
#korpiklaani #FolkMetal #Finland #Metal #accordion 🪗🤘🏽
https://youtu.be/EaTISifHaeg

https://www.europesays.com/ee/45812/ Soome folk-metal’i ansambel Korpiklaani naaseb Tallinnasse #apocalyptica #arctis #EE #Eesti #EestiKeel #Entertainment #Estonia #Estonian #JonnesJärvelä #korpiklaani #meelelahutus #metal #NapalmRecords #rahvamuusika #SHAMAN #Soome #SpiritOfTheForest

https://www.europesays.com/es/220162/ KORPIKLAANI – THE DEAD DAISIES – ABSCESS – WWW.RAFABASA.COM #ABSCESS #Entertainment #Entretenimiento #ES #España #KORPIKLAANI #Music #Música #Spain #THEDEADDAISIES

*** NEWS *** - Folkfield Festival 2025
https://www.hooked-on-music.de/news/folkfield-festival-2025/2814
#news #korpiklaani #schandmaul #mr.hurleydiepulveraffen #manntra #stormseeker

My boss on LinkedIn with the new collaborators(?!)

#korpiklaani #drugdesign #compchem #professor #AcademicChatter

My boss on LinkedIn with the new collaborators(?!)

#korpiklaani #drugdesign #compchem #professor #AcademicChatter

My boss on LinkedIn with the new collaborators(?!)

#korpiklaani #drugdesign #compchem #professor #AcademicChatter

My boss on LinkedIn with the new collaborators(?!)

#korpiklaani #drugdesign #compchem #professor #AcademicChatter

Photos/Review: FolkFest 2025 closes strong in NY with Korpiklaani, Ensiferum, Trollfest & NiNi

#Korpiklaani #Ensiferum #Trollfest #NiNi #FolkFest #BrooklynMonarch #LiveGig #LivePhotos #LiveReview

Link: https://metalinsider.net/photos/photos-review-folkfest-2025-closes-strong-in-ny-with-korpiklaani-ensiferum-trollfest-nini

Photos/Review: FolkFest 2025 closes strong in NY with Korpiklaani, Ensiferum, Trollfest & NiNi

#Korpiklaani #Ensiferum #Trollfest #NiNi #FolkFest #BrooklynMonarch #LiveGig #LivePhotos #LiveReview

Link: https://metalinsider.net/photos/photos-review-folkfest-2025-closes-strong-in-ny-with-korpiklaani-ensiferum-trollfest-nini

Concert Calendar (03/28-03/30) All of the Metal: Warbringer, Korpiklaani, & more:

#Concerts #Gigs #Tours #Warbringer #Korpiklaani #Trollfest

Link: https://metalinsider.net/touring/concert-calendar-03-28-03-30-all-of-the-metal-warbringer-korpiklaani-more

Concert Calendar (03/28-03/30) All of the Metal: Warbringer, Korpiklaani, & more:

#Concerts #Gigs #Tours #Warbringer #Korpiklaani #Trollfest

Link: https://metalinsider.net/touring/concert-calendar-03-28-03-30-all-of-the-metal-warbringer-korpiklaani-more

#BirdsOnTheWing for today's #ThursdayFiveList

Korpiklaani - Crows Bring the Spring
https://song.link/i/1184711504

Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy
https://song.link/i/1197816595

Bathory - The Ravens
https://song.link/i/292516851

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Crows
https://song.link/i/1468205431

Nightwish - Know Why the Nightingale Sings
https://song.link/i/1669902972

#Korpiklaani #SymphonyX #Bathory #RayWylieHubbard #Nightwish

#BirdsOnTheWing for today's #ThursdayFiveList

Korpiklaani - Crows Bring the Spring
https://song.link/i/1184711504

Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy
https://song.link/i/1197816595

Bathory - The Ravens
https://song.link/i/292516851

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Crows
https://song.link/i/1468205431

Nightwish - Know Why the Nightingale Sings
https://song.link/i/1669902972

#Korpiklaani #SymphonyX #Bathory #RayWylieHubbard #Nightwish

#BirdsOnTheWing for today's #ThursdayFiveList

Korpiklaani - Crows Bring the Spring
https://song.link/i/1184711504

Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy
https://song.link/i/1197816595

Bathory - The Ravens
https://song.link/i/292516851

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Crows
https://song.link/i/1468205431

Nightwish - Know Why the Nightingale Sings
https://song.link/i/1669902972

#Korpiklaani #SymphonyX #Bathory #RayWylieHubbard #Nightwish

New Artist announced for Ragnarök Festival 2025: 🔥 Korpiklaani 🔥

🎶 Listen to the current LineUp on YouTube and Spotify: https://fyrefestivals.co
🎟️ Get your Tickets now: https://prf.hn/l/EJnYMdO

#Ragnark_Festival_2025 #Korpiklaani #fyre_festivals #livemusic #youtube #spotify #music #musicfestivals #playlist #tickets #announcement

New Artist announced for Ragnarök Festival 2025: 🔥 Korpiklaani 🔥

🎶 Listen to the current LineUp on YouTube and Spotify: https://fyrefestivals.co
🎟️ Get your Tickets now: https://prf.hn/l/EJnYMdO

#Ragnark_Festival_2025 #Korpiklaani #fyre_festivals #livemusic #youtube #spotify #music #musicfestivals #playlist #tickets #announcement

New Artist announced for Ragnarök Festival 2025: 🔥 Korpiklaani 🔥

🎶 Listen to the current LineUp on YouTube and Spotify: https://fyrefestivals.co
🎟️ Get your Tickets now: https://prf.hn/l/EJnYMdO

#Ragnark_Festival_2025 #Korpiklaani #fyre_festivals #livemusic #youtube #spotify #music #musicfestivals #playlist #tickets #announcement

Korpiklaani (фін. Лісовий клан) — фінський фолк-метал гурт.

• Päät Pois Tai Hirteen
• Ievan polkka
• Kunnia

#metal #folk_metal #korpiklaani #finland #music

Korpiklaani (фін. Лісовий клан) — фінський фолк-метал гурт.

• Päät Pois Tai Hirteen
• Ievan polkka
• Kunnia

#metal #folk_metal #korpiklaani #finland #music

Korpiklaani (фін. Лісовий клан) — фінський фолк-метал гурт.

• Päät Pois Tai Hirteen
• Ievan polkka
• Kunnia

#metal #folk_metal #korpiklaani #finland #music

Korpiklaani (фін. Лісовий клан) — фінський фолк-метал гурт.

• Päät Pois Tai Hirteen
• Ievan polkka
• Kunnia

#metal #folk_metal #korpiklaani #finland #music

New Artist announced for Tuska Metal Open Air 2025

Korpiklaani

Added top 5 songs to the playlist Tuska Metal Open Air 2025

Listen now on YouTube Music: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5UNN-XlHr3N5goGFPLE1u5YpITPaU6O

#Tuska_Metal_Open_Air_2025 #Korpiklaani #fyre_festivals #ytmusic #youtube #music #party #festival

New Artist announced for Tuska Metal Open Air 2025

Korpiklaani

Added top 5 songs to the playlist Tuska Metal Open Air 2025

Listen now on YouTube Music: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5UNN-XlHr3N5goGFPLE1u5YpITPaU6O

#Tuska_Metal_Open_Air_2025 #Korpiklaani #fyre_festivals #ytmusic #youtube #music #party #festival

New Artist announced for Tuska Metal Open Air 2025

Korpiklaani

Added top 5 songs to the playlist Tuska Metal Open Air 2025

Listen now on YouTube Music: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5UNN-XlHr3N5goGFPLE1u5YpITPaU6O

#Tuska_Metal_Open_Air_2025 #Korpiklaani #fyre_festivals #ytmusic #youtube #music #party #festival

@LotharMucki hihihi, #Korpiklaani hab ich mal live gesehen, ohne sie zu kennen und war mega begeistert. Danke fürs erinnern, höre ich mir Montag beim #frostpendeln mal wieder an. Ansonsten... unfallfreie Fahrt.

Ensiferum & Korpiklaani announce 2025 North American co-headlining tour w/ Trollfest & NiNi:

#Ensiferum #Korpiklaani #Trollfest #NiNI #TourAlert #2025Tour

https://metalinsider.net/touring/ensiferum-korpiklaani-announce-2025-north-american-co-headlining-tour-w-trollfest-nini

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#BraveWords
Today In Metal History 🤘 September 7th, 2024🤘
MERCYFUL FATE, METALLICA, THE WHO, QUEENSRŸCHE, PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN

https://bravewords.com/news/today-in-metal-history-september-7th-2024-mercyful-fate-metallica-the-who-queensryche-pink-floyd-led-zeppelin

#Metallica #MercyfulFate #TheWho #Queensryche #PinkFloyd #LedZeppelin #BuddyHolly #LeonardHaze #KeithMoon #NeilPeart #CarmineAppice #SteveVai #AgnosticFront #Megadeth #StoneSour #SuicidalTendencies #MichaelAngeloBatio #Lacrimosa #Cauldron #Clutch #Counterparts #Korpiklaani #Krisiun #Manimal #MetalAllegiance

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#BraveWords
Today In Metal History 🤘 September 7th, 2024🤘
MERCYFUL FATE, METALLICA, THE WHO, QUEENSRŸCHE, PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN

https://bravewords.com/news/today-in-metal-history-september-7th-2024-mercyful-fate-metallica-the-who-queensryche-pink-floyd-led-zeppelin

#Metallica #MercyfulFate #TheWho #Queensryche #PinkFloyd #LedZeppelin #BuddyHolly #LeonardHaze #KeithMoon #NeilPeart #CarmineAppice #SteveVai #AgnosticFront #Megadeth #StoneSour #SuicidalTendencies #MichaelAngeloBatio #Lacrimosa #Cauldron #Clutch #Counterparts #Korpiklaani #Krisiun #Manimal #MetalAllegiance

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#BraveWords
Today In Metal History 🤘 September 7th, 2024🤘
MERCYFUL FATE, METALLICA, THE WHO, QUEENSRŸCHE, PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN

https://bravewords.com/news/today-in-metal-history-september-7th-2024-mercyful-fate-metallica-the-who-queensryche-pink-floyd-led-zeppelin

#Metallica #MercyfulFate #TheWho #Queensryche #PinkFloyd #LedZeppelin #BuddyHolly #LeonardHaze #KeithMoon #NeilPeart #CarmineAppice #SteveVai #AgnosticFront #Megadeth #StoneSour #SuicidalTendencies #MichaelAngeloBatio #Lacrimosa #Cauldron #Clutch #Counterparts #Korpiklaani #Krisiun #Manimal #MetalAllegiance

Jeris Johnson – Dragonborn Review

By Dear Hollow

If you don’t know Jeris Johnson, let that horrendously edited self-portrait that would feel like a masterpiece of character design on Nintendo 64, like Lara Croft’s pyramid boobs, really sink in. For the uninitiated, he’s that guy who partnered with Papa Roach for a “reloaded” version of “Last Resort;” he did a collaboration with Bring Me the Horizon for a remix of “Can You Feel My Heart.” For the initiated, he is big on YouTube and TikTok. For his first full-length Dragonborn, you might be confused about what exactly this album sounds like. I’ve repeatedly spun it, and I remain confused.

What Dragonborn does is drags pop versions of metal, rock, electronic, and hip-hop kicking and screaming into an album entirely devoted to TikTok trends like the “Hoist the Colors” bass vocal covers, Ronnie Radke’s antics, sea shanties, and melodies ripped from classic songs. Jeris Johnson helms the craft with a very confused charisma, a grungy smoky tenor that tries to adapt to the clusterfuck of influences, forcing a square peg of Viking and fantasy imagery through the round holes of trap music, nu-metal, and hard rock. Insufferably bland at best and unbearably awful at worst, influences slamming across the universe with Falling in Reverse-esque abandon. Dragonborn is as bad as you can imagine, and often worse.

Let’s start with the good mediocre passable tolerable. “John” is a dad-rock anthem with a decently written chorus that worms its way into your brain whether you like it or not – conjuring the likes of Nickelback or Staind. Jeris’ cover of Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose,” while utterly unnecessary and only adding a weaker vocal performance to song’s legacy, is as okay as a pop/rock song you hear on the radio in the mid-2000s. Otherwise, Dragonborn’s strengths shine as brief glimmers of potential in isolated passages: the Korpiklaani-inspired plucking in the intro title track isn’t bad; the riffs of “When the Darkness Comes,” “Down with the Dynasty,” and “Not a Person (Freak)” have some weight at first. Johnson’s voice is also capable and has potential, even if he can’t seem to write a solid verse, chorus, or bridge to save his life.1 So, uh, we’re in fucking trouble.

Perhaps the biggest and dumbest thing about Jeris Johnson is his ability to make an audio train wreck impossible to look away from. Interpolations are perhaps most jarring. “When the Darkness Comes” features a central melody stolen from the Arabian riff (aka “Streets of Cairo”) in an “I guess the minor key works if you’re into that” way, the central melody of “Siren Song” is unashamedly robbed from the fucking Christmas goddamn classic hymn “What Child is This?” for fuck sake and I never thought I would be checking that off of my 2024 bingo card. Meanwhile, “Story of Our Lives” tries to force electronic, trap, rap, and Tyr-esque medieval melodies into an orgy with no chemistry; “Welcome to Valhalla” feels like you wanted “Hoist the Colors” to be both a Wardruna cut and a trap metal song by Travis Scott; “Here’s to the Years” features an Alestorm-meets-Dropkick Murphys pirate vibe plus Irish shanty jig that makes me wanna puke; “Down with the Dynasty” is basically a metal cover of “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy without any fun or catchiness; “Not a Person (Freak)” features a We Butter the Bread with Butter-inspired shuddering deathcore breakdown that is only iterated fucking once; “Eat Drink War Repeat” is basically a Brokencyde song with all the soul-crushing cringe and likewise not knowing what sex is; “Ode to Metal” is just a rap/punk song that Ronnie Radke would start beef with someone over; and “Finish Line” is basically a Five Finger Death Punch power ballad. The independent nature of Dragonborn is also plain bad, as Jeris Johnson’s autotuned gaffs shine through “Story of Our Lives” and “When the Darkness Comes” with piercing clarity.

So what’s left? A singer/songwriter who has no idea what kind of album he actually wants. Is he a Viking king? A club-frequenting playboy? A hair-flipping fan of Falling in Reverse? Someone who would actually defend Ronnie Radke on Instagram? Someone who’s likes Shrezzers’ “PVRNHVB”? I’ll tell you who Jeris Johnson is: he’s an influencer on YouTube and TikTok. And Dragonborn is an experiment of the most embarrassing variety, but ultimately is not intended for us. I mean, if you’re into unnecessary variety and TikTok trends, have at it. I need to sit down.

Rating: 0.5/5.0
DR: N/A | Format Reviewed: STREAM
Label: Self-Released
Websites: jerisjohnson.com | facebook.com/killjerisjohnson | tiktok.com/@jerisjohnson
Releases Worldwide: August 23rd, 2024

#05 #2024 #Alestorm #AmericanMetal #Aug24 #BringMeTheHorizon #Brokencyde #Deathcore #Dragonborn #DropkickMurphys #Electronic #FallOutBoy #FallingInReverse #FiveFingerDeathPunch #FolkMetal #HardRock #HipHop #JerisJohnson #Korpiklaani #Metalcore #MorganWallen #Nickelback #NonMetal #NuMetal #PapaRoach #PirateMetal #Pop #PopRock #PostGrunge #Punk #Review #Reviews #Seal #SelfRelease #Shrezzers #staind #TaylorSwift #Trap #TravisScott #Tyr #VikingMetal #Wardruna #WeButterTheBreadWithButter

Throw 🔙 to photographing #Alestorm , #Gloryhammer , #Korpiklaani , #YeBanishedPrivateers , Trick or Treat & Christopher Bowes' plate of beans 🫘 at PIRATE METAL PARTY 📍 #cacaofabriek
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#LoudNoise
All photography by me: #sethpicturesmusic #sethabrikoos
#piratemetal #piratesofthecarribean #piratemetaldrinkingcrew #powermetal #powermetalband #metalguitarist #metaldrummer #metalvocals #metalhead #metalvocalist #metalgirl #metalbassplayer #metalheadsoftiktok #metalgirlsoftiktok

🤘✌️

Throw 🔙 to photographing #Alestorm , #Gloryhammer , #Korpiklaani , #YeBanishedPrivateers , Trick or Treat & Christopher Bowes' plate of beans 🫘 at PIRATE METAL PARTY 📍 #cacaofabriek
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#LoudNoise
All photography by me: #sethpicturesmusic #sethabrikoos
#piratemetal #piratesofthecarribean #piratemetaldrinkingcrew #powermetal #powermetalband #metalguitarist #metaldrummer #metalvocals #metalhead #metalvocalist #metalgirl #metalbassplayer #metalheadsoftiktok #metalgirlsoftiktok

🤘✌️

Festival Review: Hellfest 2024 – Day 3

My saturday started with a logisitical challenge that allowed me to test two things. First, the quality of the public transports in Nantes as well as the ones set up by the Hellfest and second, if all my hikes and performances were of any use in this situation. I manage

https://www.moshville.co.uk/reviews/gig-review/2024/07/festival-review-hellfest-2024-day-3/

#GigReviews #CorvusCorax #Eivr #Hellfest #Korpiklaani #Kvelertak #Sklmld #Wayfarer

Festival Review: Hellfest 2024 – Day 3

My saturday started with a logisitical challenge that allowed me to test two things. First, the quality of the public transports in Nantes as well as the ones set up by the Hellfest and second, if all my hikes and performances were of any use in this situation. I manage

https://www.moshville.co.uk/reviews/gig-review/2024/07/festival-review-hellfest-2024-day-3/

#GigReviews #CorvusCorax #Eivr #Hellfest #Korpiklaani #Kvelertak #Sklmld #Wayfarer

#Mood of the day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaTISifHaeg

#DailyMood #MoodOfTheDay #Music #Youtube #Korpiklaani

#Mood of the day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaTISifHaeg

#DailyMood #MoodOfTheDay #Music #Youtube #Korpiklaani

I will photograph this party in July!
- #Alestorm
- #Gloryhammer
- #Korpiklaani
- #TrickorTreat
- #YeBanishedPrivateers
- #ChristopherBowesandHisPlateofBeans

I will photograph this party in July!
- #Alestorm
- #Gloryhammer
- #Korpiklaani
- #TrickorTreat
- #YeBanishedPrivateers
- #ChristopherBowesandHisPlateofBeans

Korpiklaani – Rankarumpu Review

By GardensTale

Every metalhead has a few firsts when they’re just entering the scene. First band you became obsessed with. First live gig. Korpiklaani was neither of those for me, but it was the backdrop to my first moshpit, and the next few as well, when I had less than 10 bands in my metal library and the band only had its first 2 albums under the belt. Like many others, Korpiklaani drifted into my past, apart from an occasional nostalgic spin of “Wooden Pints” or “Cottages & Saunas.” Until a few weeks ago, when I was constructing a playlist for a new Dungeons & Dragons character (a kobold ranger named Tracha) and decided nothing nailed his personality quite like the drunk druid folk party of the Finns. Perfect timing to clamber back aboard the running train as it heads to its 12th station: Rankarumpu.

Apparently, two decades of pumping out album after album have had little to no effect on Korpiklaani’s sound, because any of the around dozen songs on Rankarumpu could have been a lost bonus track from Voice of the Wilderness and I’d be none the wiser. If you’re new to the band: imagine Radagast the Brown from The Hobbit partying with Tankard and add a slew of folk instrumentation. Founder and vocalist Jonne Järvelä sounds entirely unchanged, his gruff shaman chants and traditional yoiks as distinctive as ever. The thrashy guitars stick to a backseat role, with violin and accordion providing most of the melodic leads. Of these, the violin steals the spotlight, thanks to Turisas alumnus Olli Vänskä. His light and nimble playing elevates the music a level above mere boisterous drinking fare (though make no mistakes, it definitely still classifies as such). “Saunaan”1 is an immediate favorite thanks to his soaring melody, and songs that would otherwise be classified as average like “Viikatelintu” benefit a lot from the lithe bowing overtop.

When I researched the reception to Korpiklaani’s recent work, the most common complaint seemed to be a pretty hefty case of bloat, with multiple albums running over an hour. Few bands can make such running times work, and none of them play jaunty folk metal. But Rankarumpu clocks in at a modest 43 minutes and change, and is all the better for it. Between the reduced length and Vänskä’s reinvigorating violin, Rankarumpu feels like a soft reset for the band, a return to basics. Instead of big, bloated concepts, here are 12 tracks that range from solid to excellent, the average length well under 4 minutes, and each has its own hooks and personality. The songwriting could have been just a smidge more dynamic, though. With cheerful and bouncy the default mode, the more introspective, melancholy tracks I’ve come to love from the band’s early efforts are largely absent, aside from closer “Harhainen Höyhen,” which seems afraid to commit fully to either low or high energy and winds up a somewhat awkward mid-pace.

It’s less a demerit and more a recommendation for future improvement, though, because Rankarumpu is a real joyous treat for the positivity-starved metalhead, and despite operating within a more limited spectrum, the tracklist has plenty of surprises. “Kotomaa” is the most intense and immediate opener the band could have come up with, “Aita” has the rom-pom-pom gait of an approaching troll and the title track comes across as equal parts war dance and victory party. The production fits the music just the same: warm, clear, and direct, emphasizing the folk instruments and vocals while letting the guitar fill out the background to keep an iota of heaviness.

Though I haven’t had the chance to delve into the band’s recent past, Rankarumpu feels like the band reining in their most destructive excesses while giving plenty of floor-time to their newest band member. Whilst Korpiklaani never lost my favor, this is where they have regained my interest, with an album that is as simple in writing and structure as it is addictive. A uniformly strong showing from a band a dozen albums deep is a rare treat, and I know Rankarumpu will be a worthy companion to many parties this year. Including my adventuring party, because a certain kobold ranger has just become a big fan of saunas!

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 192 kbps mp3
Label: Nuclear Blast
Websites: korpiklaani.bandcamp.com | korpiklaani.com | facebook.com/korpiklaani
Releases Worldwide: April 5th, 2024

#2024 #35 #Apr24 #FinnishMetal #FolkMetal #Korpiklaani #NuclearBlast #Rankarumpu #Review #Reviews #Tankard #Turisas

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#MetalInjection
Album Review: KORPIKLAANI Rankarumpu
"If you're looking to grab a drink, gather some mates, and have a good time - consider putting on Rankarumpu as your gathering music."

https://metalinjection.net/reviews/album-review-korpiklaani-rankarumpu

#korpiklaani #albumreview #rankarumpu #metalmusic #folkmetal

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#MetalInjection
Album Review: KORPIKLAANI Rankarumpu
"If you're looking to grab a drink, gather some mates, and have a good time - consider putting on Rankarumpu as your gathering music."

https://metalinjection.net/reviews/album-review-korpiklaani-rankarumpu

#korpiklaani #albumreview #rankarumpu #metalmusic #folkmetal

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#MetalInjection
Album Review: KORPIKLAANI Rankarumpu
"If you're looking to grab a drink, gather some mates, and have a good time - consider putting on Rankarumpu as your gathering music."

https://metalinjection.net/reviews/album-review-korpiklaani-rankarumpu

#korpiklaani #albumreview #rankarumpu #metalmusic #folkmetal