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Crimfall: As the path unfolds
02/03/09 || Euthanatos
Never judge a book (er, album) by its cover? I beg to differ. The art for “As The Path Unfolds” is what lead me to it, and I’m very happy it did, because this is fun! I’m a sucker for cheesy, uplifting folk metal, the kind that makes you want to put on a kilt and dance around a bonfire. Sure, put on ladies undergarments if you wish, who’s judging, eh? I’m particularly impressed by the fact that this is Crimfall’s debut. The songwriting is pretty fucking solid, this Jakke Viitala is one talented fucker. Plus, the two vocalists, Mikko Häkkinen, who screams and snarls, and Helena Haaparanta, who plays the evocative nymph bit, are technically sound singers, if not brilliant.
Also, Henri Sorvali, of Finntroll and Moonsorrow fame, plays in this, although he is not registered as a full-on member of the band. This is a lot closer to Finntroll than Moonsorrow, though, be aware. But even though there are similarities, Crimfall is a lot more cheerful than Finntroll, even going as far as sounding power-metallish at times. And there are certainly many more symphonic elements. Mr. Viitala is a sucker for orchestral bits, for sure, but that’s a good thing, as they’re really well-put together, and many of those moments are stand-alone pieces, not needing the metal part to intervene. All of that makes this half-soundtrack to an epic medieval battle movie, half folk metal album, so you just can’t go wrong there. Well, actually, you can, just have the label put voice-overs in the promo. Cunts. Haven’t you learned already? May your children wither with cancer. Yeah, I went there. So, if you like gnome-metal and the soundtrack for “Assassin’s Creed”, this is the perfect album for you.
The cover: Yeah, it’s pretty good, painting (drawing?) of a warrior and a path of viking/medieval weaponry.
7 historically inaccurate Finnish vikings out of 10.
- Information
- Released: 2009
- Label: Napalm Records
- Website: www.crimfall.com
- Band
- Jakke Viitala: guitars, orchestrations
- Mikko Häkkinen: vocals
- Helena Haaparanta: vocals
- Janne Jukarainen: drums
- Henri Sorvali: bass
- Maija Arvaja: violin
- Esa Korja: cello
- Terri Kunnaskari: accordion
- Tracklist
- 01. Neothera Awakening
- 02. The Crown of Treason
- 03. Wildfire Season
- 04. Where Waning Winds Lead
- 05. Sun Orphaned
- 06. Ascension Pyre
- 07. Shadow Hearth
- 08. Non Serviam
- 09. Aubade
- 10. Hundred Shores Distant
- 11. Novembré
