March 5, 2010

Reviewer: Deathstalker

It has taken three years for Finntroll's fourth album, Ur Jordens Djup to sink in. That album was quite a departure from the signature Finntroll sound.  For the most part, the band split ways with their ground-breaking humppa style of folk metal and released a darker, more complex and less 'fun' album.  To some, this was welcome and to others a disappointment.  I was split about the album, as I enjoy listening to bands progress, evolve and not become an AC/DC or Korpiklaani.  However, I did miss the mix of simple songs with fun melodies that still have a nice metal backbone.  I guess the question on most peoples' minds would be, “Did they put the 'troll' back in Finntroll?”

The first true song up is “Solsagan” and it is a perfect barometer to judge the rest of the album by.  It is more aggressive and darker than previous output by Finntroll, but there is a definite catchy and fun vibe lurking under the crushing riffs. (Who would have ever thought they'd see the word 'crushing' in a Finntroll review?) The song is relentless at first, which may make older fans nervous, but once the chorus of “la la” chants comes in, there is no doubt the band is here to give us some party anthems.  Another difference in the over sound is the use of orchestration in the song, a la later Nightwish, Turisas and Ensiferum.  Henri Sorvali has found a delicious balance of progression and classic with this song.
             
From here on out, Nifelvind doesn't provide you with too many surprises, but the album is a rather engaging listen, as it starts off with a bang, dabbles with a few experiments rather successfully, then ends on the same note it started.  “Ett Norrskensdad” starts off with a nice gypsy sounding melody and builds on its theme.  “I Tradens Sang” is reminiscent of “Marknadsvisan” on Nattfodd or “Krykovisan” on Jaktens Tid with its aggression and heaviness, but whereas those songs are two minutes in length, “Ett Norrskensdad” is a fully developed piece.
             
A pleasant new addition to the Finntroll sound can be found in the song “Tiden Utan Tid”.  The listener is welcomed in with a chant not too dissimilar from other Baltic artists such as Metsatöll.  After the introduction the song builds from this theme as it creates a more epic feel with soundtrack-like choruses, like a bastard child of Finntroll and cousin band Moonsorrow.  “Galgasang” sounds like it could be a B-side to the acoustic album Visor Om Slutet.
             
The album isn't without its flaws as the last third of the album loses a little bit of steam, as all Finntroll albums do in my opinion.  “Under Bergets Rot” is a bit paint-by-numbers, and “Fornfamnad” plods along without enough variation to really draw the listener in.
             
Nifelvind is a wonderful addition to the Finntroll catalog.  It is a pulls a little bit from all five previous albums, adds some new orchestral touches, and throws them in a blender.  The result is an album that all fans of the band will enjoy.  Henri and company have done a great job in pushing themselves musically and keeping their sound fresh, even after so many imitators have come and gone, yet they still find a way to remain true to their roots and original sound.  Would you expect anything less from the masters of their genre?  This album is not only great for fans but would also be a fine place to start for newcomers.

Release Date: February 22nd, 2010
Label: Century Media

TRACK LISTING

1.  Blodmarsch (Intro)
2.  Solsagan
3.  Den Frusna Munnen
4.  Ett Norrskensdåd
5.  I Trädens Sång
6.  Tiden Utan Tid
7.  Galgasång
8.  Mot Skuggornas Värld
9.  Under Bergets Rot
10.  Fornfamnad
11.  Dråp
12.  Under Dvärgens Fot

Total Playing Time: 49:10

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Finntroll - Nifelvind