March 5, 2010

Reviewer: Dinah

I have loved Finntroll for many years since I was introduced to them. Their incredible energy, absorbing, well thought out melodies, and trademark crazy-polka-in-Hell melodic rhythm is nothing short of spectacular and has made them not only successful, but one of the most well known and accomplished bands of their genre. I had supremely high expectations for their new album, Nifelvind. Granted, I have high expectations for most bands, but since Finntroll has established themselves in my mind as serious talent, I knew I would be a lot harsher towards them if they failed because I didn’t expect them to do so.

This is, in short, an astonishing album. It manages all at once to be both completely different and strikingly similar to what they’ve done before. I was shocked and awed by new visions, but encouraged to view them as familiar faces. I am totally in love.

The introduction of the album, “Blodmarsch” leads you through familiar territory. Although the atmosphere feels somewhat more Native American than northern European, you still know where you are: safe, at home, with Finntroll and the thousands of large, burly armed men they brought with them. But when “Solsagan” starts up, everything changes. It’s not that the first thirty seconds of the song are typical, but they sound so much more like your general melodic death metal than anything you’d ever expect out of this band that it throws you totally off guard. Normal never sounded so out of place. It’s easy to see where they’re going with it, though; a quarter through the song, that normalcy blends into their more typical style, chants begin, and an entirely new innovation of their sound has been born.

Nifelvind is much more guitar-centric than those that came before it, and many of the songs sound more deathy than I’ve heard them attempt before. Accordingly, the album feels darker than its predecessors. But whereas any other band that tried to integrate more mainstream metal into its music would probably fall flat on its ass and create a joke of an album, Finntroll manages to make something interesting, different and beautiful. The potential here for disaster was great; they could have watered down their style and ended up with some radio-ready rubbish, but they turned it on its face and ended up with a style more mature and expansive than before.

Take, for example, “Mot Skuggornas Värld”, which is unquestionably my favorite song on the album. With such an increase in guitar, one might be worried that the mischievously fantastic devil-polka sound that makes Finntroll Finntroll would be lost. Instead, they simply integrate it into the guitar riffs, creating a fusion of genre and character that works incredibly well. It deepens their sound and opens up a new depth that they haven’t previously shown.

This isn’t to say that they’ve lost their whimsy so much as that their whimsy has significantly expanded. “Den Frusna Munnen” sounds at times like it could have been a collaboration with 80’s rock band Oingo Boingo, while later songs on the album could be the soundtrack to a Troma film. “Under Bergets Rot” specifically conjures up images of Eddie Izzard running around under a bedsheet screaming “Holy Ghooooooooost!” and chasing the Scooby Doo kids. Even strict traditionalists can’t be too disappointed by the strange new world that Nifelvind has created, since Finntroll maintains the energy and rhythm that has defined them despite - and at times, because of -  the album’s innovations.

The biggest problem with Nifelvind is that it’s too short; it undoubtedly deserves another song or two to make it feel more whole. Still, don’t let that stop you; buy it, enjoy it, just don’t expect the same old Finntroll you knew before.

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

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

Finntroll - Nifelvind

TO THE TOP