Finntroll // Review
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CD: Ur Jordens Djup (re release) Released: 10 November 2008 |
After the line-up changes enforced on Finntroll prior to the Visor um Slutet EP and the Nattfödd album before beginning the recording of this follow up album at the end of 2006 the band took the decision to fire then singer Tapio Wilska for reasons never made publically known. His replacement was Mathias "Vreth" Lillmåns though it was original vocalist Katla who wrote the lyrics for the album.
On its original release at the start of 2007 Ur Jordens Djup was criticised in several quarters for its more serious tone and the odd song aside was perceived as lacking the “fun factor” that Finntroll had become known for. In reality, though most of the songs are indeed darker and heavier than those of the preceding album and there’s nothing as outright catchy as Trollhammaren, the songs are actually as upbeat as ever with plenty of Finntroll’s trademark “humppa” rhythms and uplifting melodies – they’re just integrated more subtly into the rest of the music and in a way the more aggressive delivery harks back to the band’s first two albums.
A couple of years down the line though and Ur Jordens Djup has not only proven itself to have replay value but the songs from it sit neatly alongside older songs in their live sets. Quite what the point of re-releasing an album that, at the time of writing this review, is merely twenty one months old is I’m not sure but for any Finntroll fans who somehow haven’t picked it up yet or fans of folk metal in general Ur Jordens Djup is very well recommended – just don’t expect it to be full of drunken singalongs to dance like an idiot to.
Review by Neil Woodfin
Track Listing
| Ur Jordens Djup |
[01] Gryning
The UK only full re-release cd comes with sleevenotes, band essay and expanded artwork |
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