Release: 26.04.10
Country: Finland
Genre: Finnish Folk Metal
Label: Century Media
myspace.com/kivimetsandruidi
Track Listing:
1. Lament for the Fallen (2:01)
2. Aesis Lilim (5:57)
3. Seawitch and the Sorcerer (4:55)
4. The Visitor (4:01)
5. Manalan Vartija (3:13)
6. Tuoppein’nostelulaulu (4:57)
7. Chant of the Winged One (6:03)
8. Of Betrayal (6:33)
9. Desolation: White Wolf (6:13)
Bonus Tracks
10. Veljet (4:15)
11. Where Hope and Daylight Die (6:10)
“Kivimetsän Druidi was first recognized as a part of Finnish folk metal genre. Gradually, however, they have adopted influences from various metal genres and their music has evolved towards more extreme expression. Although you can hear echoes from symphonic, folk, pagan and even thrash metal in their unique sound, they tend to describe their heavy but melodic music as extreme Fantasy Metal. “Extreme” because of the extreme sounds, dark growls and various influences, and “fantasy” not only because of the lyrical themes, but also because of the freedom to mix together elements from all different kinds of Metal. And Metal yes, they definitely play Heavy Metal although they are also a significant part of the female fronted Metal movement.”
Review:
Alright so today we have Century Media recording artists Kivimetsän Druidi recent release “Betrayal, Justice, Revenge”. Congratulations to the country of Finland for almost redeeming itself. I’m a huge fan of the “Finnish Folk Metal” scene. This album comes after the “Heathenfest America tour” with Eluveitie, Alestorm, Belphegor, and Vreid.
Mixed, mastered, and recorded in various parts of Finland, this a very well conceived album. The overall production quality is great, guitars keyboards drums vocals and bass are all well equipped on this album. There is not one technical problem throughout the album. This is not your standard “folk metal” album. I’m a huge fan of the more traditional folk songs via Finland, but that was kept to a minimum on this disc. The parts that were included were nothing short of perfect. Fronted by a female vocalist, I had short expectations, but little did i realise that this was altogether well thought out. I have to admit, I am very impressed, she did just as much of a great job as anyone in her position.
The album in itself, the music is stand alone. Nothing comes close, it is more of a heavy metal album, mixed with spiraling guitars and strong orchestrations layering it. It is nothing short of amazing. The vocals have me at a split honestly. Normally the female and male vocals don’t work too well no matter what genre you are working with, but the angelic voice of Leeni-Maria and the growling of Joni are a great mesh that worked perfectly. The only thing I was not too pleased about was how “fantasy-based” the lyrics seemed to be. Besides that I have no true complaints.
So in conclusion, I would highly recommend this album to almost anyone. Just as edgy as anything you can find anywhere else. And it still maintains aspects of traditional folk music, it is rather difficult to find those two elements in the same place these days. So great jobs guys and girls, I hope to see you on tour promoting this album relatively soon, and I hope to hear more from you in the not too distant future.
556/666
-Wrath-
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