Finnish Folk Metal giants Korpiklaani released their latest album Ukon Wacka on February 5th of this year. I'm a huge fan of Folk Metal, and this album is nothing but that.
All of the lyrics in the album, save for the one cover song are in Finnish so I can't really comment on the depth of the lyrics. Knowing Korpiklaani, they're probably as deep as a puddle. "Ukon Wacka" is a pagan festival where a special brew of beer was made and was consumed in great proportions. With a title like that, the album does a good job of having a traditional folk sound while still keeping a solid amount of metal still in there.
Bomb-Ass Tracks
Louhen Yhdeksas Poika: The oppening song off of Ukon Wacka kicks so much ass. Personally I enjoy Korpiklaani's fast, upbeat songs to their slower more melodic songs, and this song thrashes pretty hard. There's also a totally badass fiddle solo in it.
Tequila: The first single off the album, terribly catchy and damn awesome. Much like Beer Beer and Vodka, this song is (surprise, surprise!) about pounding back drinks. All in all a great song.
Vaarinpolkka: Folk Metal instrumentals are always badass. Always.
Iron Fist: Yes. This is a Motörhead cover. Yes it's as awesome as you expect it to be.
Pictured: Korpiklaani. Not Pictured: Gallons of beer and hard liquour.
Overall Score
7 out of 10 Pints Of Ale.
There's not much to say really, other than that it's a totally solid album. Can't wait to hear what they crank out next, and I hope to seem them tour in Canada soon.
2011 In Music: A Preview: EDIT
Cauldron get a re-evaluated score of 8 out of 10 Leather Jackets.
Children Of Bodom get moved onto the list of "2011 albums I don't really care about".
I've recently been informed of a fair few new albums that are coming out by some of my favorte artists. Now, since I'm bored and I'm procrastnating writing an essay, here are:
The New Albums In 2011 That Make Me Giggle And Bounce Up And Down Like A Little Girl
Korpiklaani - "Ukon Wacka" (February 5)
Here come Korpiklaani with more beer-guzzling-shot-taking-forest-adventuring Folk Metal. Since it's technically released in Canada already, I'll try and post a review of it soon. I've already heard their newest single, "Tequila", And it rocks pretty damn hard.
Excitement Level: 7 out of 10 Pints Of Ale
Cauldron - "Burning Fortune" (February 14)
Cauldron is a Canadian power trio of pure 80s NWOBHM. For those of you who don't know what the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal sound is, check out Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Their last album "Chained To The Nite" was tons of fun to listen to, so I hope they stay on track with this album too. By the sounds of it, things seem to be going great.
Excitement Level: 6 out of 10 Leather Jackets
Moonsorrow - "Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa" (February 21)
Another Moonsorrow album with a title thats too much of an inconvenience to say. I haven't heard a bad Moonsorrow song yet, so I expect this album to be filled with the same viking-fueled, ass-kicking Folk Metal as the rest of their albums.
Excitement Level: 9 out of 10 Small Sacrificed Animals
Scale The Summit - "The Collective" (March 1)
Prog-Heads, unite! Our gods, Scale The Summit have returned with promises of new soundscapes for our ears! If The Collective is anything like Carving Desert Canyons was, I'll be locking myself in my room listening to it over and over and over and over...
Exitement Level: 13/8 Time (Get it? It's an odd time signature joke! Man, I need to get out.)
Children Of Bodom - "Relentless Reckless Forever" (March 8)
To be honest, I don't know if I'm going to like this one. I wasn't a fan of their last album Blooddrunk, but I've loved pretty much most of the rest of their discography.I've taken a listen to the song "Was It Worth It?" off of Relentless Reckless Forever, and I wasn't that impressed.
Excitement Level: 5 out of 10 Drunken Alexi Laihos
Amon Amarth - "Surtur Rising" (March 29)
Words cannot describe how excited I am for this album. Twilight Of The Thunder God was mindblowing, and I can't wait to see whats in store for us next. I have a feeling that upon the release of this album, "Viking" will become a profession, animal pelts and armor will be "in" in the fashion world, and everybody will be carrying swords. But that's just me.
Excitement Level: 10 out of 10 Battleaxes
Obscura - "Omnivium" (March 29)
Sorry. let me repeat that.
Obscura - "Omnivium" (March 29)
Didn't catch it?
Obscura - "Omnivium" (March 29)
Again.
Obscura - "Omnivium" (March 29)
WHAT?! A new Obscura CD and a new Amon Amarth CD?! Out on the same day?!
Best. Day. Ever.
Excitement Level: 10 out of 10 Imploding Nebulae
Other Releases Of The Year
These albums either don't have an announced release date, or are still only rumour. But still, they're definitely worth a mention. As per most lists, I'll bold the ones I deem extra awesome. I'll also list how excited I am for the release.
