Korpiklaani – Noita

Releasedate: 01-05-2015; Label: Nuclear Blast

Korpiklaani is a Finnish folk metal band. Formed in 2003, they are one of the few names who comes to one’s mind when it’s all about humppa/folk metal in an awesome Finnish way of course! The band released their ninth studio album “Noita” recently and it has an interesting and deep meaning.

According to the bass player Jarkko Aaltonen, Noita is a person with wider knowledge and understanding of the nature. Noita was also believed to possess paranormal or unnatural abilities and he/she is someone that you turn to when you need help of some kind. In this sense, from the beginning to the end, the album, musically, has this ‘spiritual’ and nature-related vibe which fits perfectly to the theme and even the artwork of the album! Another thing that is easily recognized is the fact that the band is kinda back to their roots which means that the folkish elements (which are quite typical for Korpiklaani) are more in the foreground. Especially compared to the previous record “Manala”, which had a more metallish approach, this album has a more natural sound.

Musically, despite the line-up changes in the previous years, I can say that I really like and appreciate the band’s current line-up. The new accordion player Sami has fit in very well to Korpiklaani considering it’s his ‘first’ debut with the band. I also gotta say that the fiddle player Tuomas Rounakari has definitely become one of the ‘backbones’ of the band. You might say that a fiddle is just a fiddle but if you dig a bit deeper into the world of Mr. Rounakari, you will see that he (and his project Shamanviolin) is quite unique.. and this is definitely felt throughout the album. In this sense, people who expect ‘just another’ Korpiklaani album will be quite surprised with many musical melodies and even the stories told behind the songs. My personal favorites are “Lempo” and “Kylästä Keväinen Kehto”.

Korpiklaani has definitely taken their sound to a whole new level… “Noita” is natural, fun and folkish as hell!

Line up:
Jonne Järvelä – vocals, guitars, hurdy gurdy, percussion
Tuomas Rounakari – fiddle
Sami Perttula – accordion
Matti “Matson” Johansson – drums
Jarkko Aaltonen – bass
Kalle “Cane” Savijärvi – guitar

Tracklist:

1. Viinamäen Mies
2. Pilli On Pajusta Tehty
3. Lempo
4. Sahti
5. Luontoni
6. Minä Näin Vedessä Neidon
7. Jouni Jouni
8. Kylästä Keväinen Kehto
9. Ämmänhauta
10. Sen Verran Minäkin Noita
11. Antaja [Bonus track]

Links:

Korpiklaani Facebook
Korpiklaani Official