Survivors Zero will do next year an American tour alongside  fellow Finnish bands Finntroll, Swallow the Sun and Moonsorrow!

The dates are as follows:

6.4. Jaxx, Springfield, VA, US
7.4. Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA, US
8.4. Gramercy Theater, New York, NY, US
9.4. Palladium, Worcester, MA, US
10.4. Club Soda, Montreal, QC, Canada
11.4. Imperial de Quebec, Quebec, QC, Canada
12.4. Opera House, Toronto, ON, Canada
13.4. Peabody’s, Cleveland, OH, US
14.4. Blondie’s, Detroit, MI, US
15.4. The Rave, Milwaukee, WI, US
16.4. Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL, US
17.4. Station 4, St. Paul, MN, US
19.4. Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO, US
21.4. El Corazon, Seattle, WA, US
22.4. Red Room, Vancouver, BC, Canada
23.4. Peters Room, Portland, OR, US
24.4. Thee Parkside, San Francisco, CA, US
25.4. House of Blues, West Hollywood, CA, US
26.4. U.B.’s Bar, Mesa, AZ, US
27.4. The Rock, Tucson, AZ, US
29.4. Emo’s, Austin, TX, US
30.4. Meridian, Houston, TX, US
1.5. The Ridglea Theater, Fort Worth, TX, US
http://www.survivorszero.com/
http://www.cobrarecords.fi/

A Alex, que siempre defiende el metal y el heavy europeo ante el americano, conseguí “convencerlo” para que se aficionara a Pearl Jam y a algún otro grupo no europeo que ahora no recuerdo.

El otro día, en el coche de su padre de vuelta del aeropuerto recién llegados del EBE- por cierto, gracias otra vez por acercarme a casa-, sonaba un grupo. Me recordó mucho a Children of Bodom, de hecho pensé que efectivamente se trataba de Children of Bodom, y lo pregunté. Le pregunté a Alex (el padre de Alex): “¿Son Children of Bodom?”. Y me respondió que no, que eran Moonsorrow. “Finlandeses”, dijo. Y enseguida pensé que todo encajaba, que claro, que estaba hablando con el padre de Alex, que de dónde iban a ser si no (Nota: Alemanes, la respuesta a la pregunta anterior es alemanes. Pero no, no eran alemanes).

Sorprendida me he quedado al entrar a la Wikipedia y ver que Children of Bodom también son finlandeses ya que, en honor a la verdad, no tenía ni la más mínima idea de dónde eran.

Y para terminar, un apunte: “Moonsorrow son más progresivos”- dijo también. Pues en Spotify no están, pero buscaremos algo para comprobarlo. Y es que aunque el metal progresivo no acaba de ser mi género preferido, después de ver a Dream Theater en concierto, ¿quién puede no dar una oportunidad  a un grupo europeo, progresivo y que recuerda a Children of Bodom? Yo no.

“Chokehold”, una de mis preferidas de Children of Bodom. La dejo en directo.

Those crazy Brits! Check out the video above to see a bunch of folks at the Bloodstock Open Air Festival pretending to row an epic Viking ship during Amon Amarth’s set. Apparently this is the new shit, and it’s spreading like wildfire.

So every Thursday I’ll be puting up some pagan metal for you losers to listen to. Some of it will be new, some will be not quite as recent.

To start off Korpiklaani’s newest single Vodka. Yes, it sounds like every other fucking Korpiklaani release, but EVERY Korpiklaani release sounds like the last. It’s still awesome. After the jump is a live version of Moonsorrow’s Kylän Päässä, which is always fun to watch.

In other Pagan Metal news, Sweden’s Unleashed signed with Nuclear Blast for their upcoming releases. This is to no ones surprise, since SPV’s label aspects were recently disbanded. Clearly Nuclear Blast needed to add ANOTHER band to their roster, cause getting Korpiklaani, Nile, Suffocation, and a bunch of other more seasoned bands wasen’t enough.

RUTTOPUISTO!

This was written back in 2003, since when the folk metal thing seems to have come and gone. But I just got the new Glittertind album Landkjenning recently and it’s excellent which is why I dug this out.

OF any of the many and multiform sub-genres and mutations that metal has spawned the one that is most guaranteed to raise a belly laugh is folk metal. Even those who are denizens of the underground, seemingly well informed about the rise and fall of all those micro-genres of which most of us remain blissfully unaware of, will be utterly incredulous that such a thing could actually exist.

Although it sounds like something from The Fast Show, folk metal is deadly serious and it is undergoing something of a creative explosion at the moment. OK, none of the band names probably mean a great deal to many of us – Glittertind, Cruachan, Korpiklaani anyone?- but all of a sudden, from Scandinavia, from Ireland, from Eastern Europe and Germany, there seems to be a whole generation of bands who were spawned by black metal and Viking metal, who have incorporated elements of their local traditional music into their sound. Some, like Finland’s Korpiklaani, play folk songs in a metal style while others like Glittertind play punk rock with folkish inflections.

It would be a bit of an oversimplification to say that folk metal was all descended from the sort of Viking metal created by Bathory and their ilk – though there is such a crossover between folk metal and Viking metal that it’s an easy mistake to make. Also, although there are similarities to so-called battle metal, there is very little crossover between folk metal and power metal.

It all gets a bit confusing because the definition of what constitutes ‘folk’ music is itself pretty nebulous. Webster’s dictionary defines folk music as the “traditional and typically anonymous music that is an expression of the life of the people in a community.” Folk music is also a current genre of music that includes not only traditional tunes whose origins are lost in the mists of time and which have been handed down from one singer to another, but newly composed tunes in a folk style. Also “modern” folk song is a “song with a soft melodic sound and acoustic guitar accompaniment.”

If you think that black metal purists are elitist snobs you really want to be in the room when two folkies are having an argument: one school of thought holds that if you know who wrote a song then it isn’t proper folk music. Another holds that if it sounds like folk music then it is folk music. It’s like Israelis and Palestinians, Rangers and Celtic, people who like Marmite and people who don’t: they aren’t gonna agree to differ in a convivial fashion. Nope, they are going to put the sandal in, grab each other by the beard and tear those Fair Isles sweaters off in a big bloody brawl.

Me, I like something that’s attributed to the great Pete Seeger: Folk music is music that folk like.

Folk rock has a long history: in the mid 60s bands like The Byrds incorporated traditional American folk music into their sound. In Britain the English folk song revival in the early 60s fed into the burgeoning post-psychedelic rock bands like Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and the Strawbs. Progressive bands like Jethro Tull, Traffic and Gryphon incorporated folk and medieval music into their high prog style.

Historically, though, metal and folk have rarely found much common ground, though on early Black Sabbath tracks like Spiral Architect you can hear some folky inflections creeping in.

Until the 80s and 90s there are scant examples of folk metal: there was the novelty 1970 hit Jig A Jig by East Of Eden, there’s Thin Lizzy’s Whiskey in The Jar, and there’s the work of a relatively obscure but brilliant Irish heavy rock band called Horslips, particularly their 1973 concept album The Tain (based upon Táin Bo Cuailgne or The Cattle Raid of Cooley, a heroic tale of ancient Ulster).

The first important folk metal works came from another unfairly neglected band, Britain’s own pagan thrashers Skyclad and of course Sweden’s Bathory. Skyclad’s Wayward Sons of Mother Earth and Bathory’s Blood Fire Death pretty much wrote the book in terms of the musical blueprint and the lyrical themes that folk metal adopted. Later bands, inspired by the Viking metal of Bathory, discovered a purer folk sound and bands outside of Scandinavia incorporated their own folk culture into the lyrics and imagery that they employ.

In an increasingly homogenised and globalised world, nationalism is on the rise. Sometimes that takes the form of a backward looking romanticised view of the past that sometimes spills over into xenophobia, and outright fascism and racism. Sometimes, as in Scotland for example, it’s an inclusive nationalism that celebrates the things that make each nation and people unique. But for good or ill, everyone is seeking a sense of identity and folk metal, both in its positive and negative manifestations, is a symptom of this.

THE FOLKS THAT WE KNOW

THYRFING

FORMED 10 years ago, ostensibly as a side project by Pantheon members Patrik Lindgren (guitar) and Jocke Kristensson, Thyrfing began as a rather terrible synth-led pomp band, with pseudo-mediaeval keyboard flourishes supposedly creating a dark age atmosphere. It wasn’t until their 2002 album Vansinnesvisor (which translates as “tales of madness”) with its songs – sung in Swedish – and using odd instruments like the keyed fiddle and home-made percussion, that they succeeded in creating something that genuinely sounded like the sort of metal that actual Vikings might have played. Steeped in the lore and imagery of the ancient Norse culture, Thyrfing were erroneously accused in the Swedish media of having connections with the country’s small but growing neo-Nazi movement.

“There was a witch-hunt in the media to this topic,” says Patrik. “We have absolutely nothing to do with the Nazi scene or their ideology. Some idiots will ask you whether you are a racist if they see the hammer hanging on your neck. Such pathetic questions are a pain in the ass.”

Fiercely nationalistic, they resent the fact that the neo-Nazi appropriation of symbols like the sub-cross and the runes have tainted on the whole legacy of the ancient Norse culture.

Having just signed to Regain records, there will be a new album from Thyrfing later this year.

GLITTERTIND

Glittertind – named after Norway’s second highest mountain – is essentially a one man band, consisting of 20 year old Torbjørn Sandvik. It’s a one man show because as he says. “It was difficult to find others who would be dedicated to a type of music which mixes metal, punk and Nordic folk-music.” Inspired by Finntroll on one hand and the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly on the other, Torbjørn set about recording an album that wasn’t so much Viking metal as Viking punk. Evige Asatro, released last year, is an amazing blend of high energy punk and metal with of folkish melodies. Sung entirely in Norwegian, it celebrates the old pagan culture that was destroyed by Christianity. Like Thyrfing, Torbjørn is at pains to distance his brand of viking-centric Norwegian nationalism/anti-globalism from the bonehead fascists. “This question comes up from time to time, so let’s set the record straight: even though Glittertind holds Nordic heritage high, this does not mean other cultures or histories are inferior, this behaviour often linked to racism is not Glittertind’s point of view.”

Currently working on the follow up to Evige Asatro (which was actually recorded in 2002, he expects it to be released later this year.

MOONSORROW

FORMED in 1995 by the Sorvali cousins Henri (aka Trollhorn of Finntroll) and Ville to create their own folkish pagan themed metal, Moonsorrow are sometimes lumped in with the sub-sub-genre of Forest Metal which is like folk metal except all the songs are about forests and nature. Certainly on their new album Verisäkeet it is forest sounds that provided the ambient background to their grim, mournful Viking folk ballads. Mysterious, moody and doom laden, they are the opposite end of folk metal to the more frenetic Finntroll.

“We’re influenced by lots of things,” says Ville. ”We listen to a lot of progressive rock, but also film soundtracks, films influence us and of course Finnish history, mythology, nature have a large influence. Our roots have their very specific influence on us, both in music and otherwise. We are Finns and we are proud of our origin.”

Unlike many bands who sing in English to gain acceptance abroad, they remain true to their roots by singing in Swedish (which is spoken by most Finns) which gives the songs a really alien quality because it is such an unfamiliar language.

KORPIKLAANI

“KORPIKLAANI’s music is very Finnish and the band does not fear to be labelled ‘yokels’, living as they do in the middle of the forest,” their biography says. Like fellow Finns Moonsorrow, they are sometimes tagged as Forest Metal (Hell, the name translates into English as Forest Family or Clan). Finntroll take traditional Finnish songs and play them with a metal “twist” though employing a full array of distinctly non-metal instruments such as accordions, fiddles and penny whistles. More than any band here they evoke a Heathen pathos on one hand and a joyous sense of celebration with their ‘humppa’ derived dance tunes. They are brilliant but quite mad.

FINNTROLL

Crazy name, crazy guys, you know the score: ancient weapons, oddball instruments, songs about Trolls and battles. They sing in Swedish – despite being Finnish – and they sound like nothing on Earth. A polka-band at a Polish wedding playing Darkthrone tunes? Nutters.

CRUACHAN

Irish band who straddle the world of Celtic music and mythology with black metal also incorporating complex quasi-classical/prog pieces, and medieval music. Their recent is the more satisfactory than their earlier stuff, moving away from black metal to a more mainstream sound.

WAYLANDER

Another Irish band, though despite having some surface folkish elements – their trademark is a penny-whistle intro – they are much more of a straight ahead metal band.

ELVENKING

Italian power metallers who incorporate folkish/Celtic music into their bombastic power metal. They also plunder pagan iconography such as the green man on the sleeve of their 2004 album Wyrd.

SUIDAKRA

German band Suidakra would dearly love to be Irish as you can hear on any of their three excellent melodic black metal albums. They play Irish folk music as only Germans can. It may be easily mocked but it works.

TUATHA DE DANANN

Despite the name that evokes the land o’ the wee folk and the fair Coleens, this lot are actually a Brazilian power metal combo who seem to have overdosed on Enya records.

TYR

Danish band named after the Germanic god Tyr (known in Norse mythology as Thor and in Finnish as Turisas). Formed in 1997, they are probably the only band ever to incorporate the traditional music of the Faroe Islands into metal.

All photos taken by Fernanda Correia

http://www.returntothepit.com/concert.php?date=2009-05-01

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Blackguard (174)
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Some Images:

1. Tyven 01:52
2. Sankarihauta 07:41
3. Kylän Päässä 07:38
4. Hiidenpelto / Häpeän Hiljaiset Vedet 09:20
5. Aurinko ja Kuu 08:14
6. Sankaritarina 13:50

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1. Karhunkynsi 14:00
2. Haaska 14:42
3. Pimeä 14:08
4. Jotunheim 19:28
5. Kaiku 08:19

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1. Raunioilla 13:36
2. Unohduksen Lapsi 08:17
3. Jumalten Kaupunki incl. Tuhatvuotinen Perintö 10:42
4. Kivenkantaja 07:39
5. Tuulen Tytär incl. Soturin Tie 08:36
6. Matkan Lopussa 04:54

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1. Ukkosenjumalan Poika 06:09
2. Köyliönjärven Jäällä (Pakanavedet II) 06:30
3. Kuin Ikuinen 07:20
4. Tuulen Koti, Aaltojen Koti 04:02
5. Pakanajuhla 06:45
6. 1065: Aika 11:02
7. Suden Uni 01:05

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1. Taistelu Pohjolasta 12:12
2. Vihreällä Valtaistuimella 08:47
3. Talvi 08:41
4. Luopion Veri 09:22
5. Kuun Suru 03:53

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1. Tulimyrsky 29:45
2. For Whom The Bell Tolls (Metallica cover) 07:42
3. Taistelu Pohjolasta (2008 version) 08:11
4. Hvergelmir (2008 version) 09:30
5. Back To North (Merciless cover) 13:08

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1. Jäästä Syntynyt/Varjojen Virta 30:10
2. Tuleen Ajettu Maa 26:19

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Bringing together many bands such as Korpiklanni, Primordial, Moonsorrow, Blackguard, and  Swashbuckle, Pagan Fest North America: Part 2 will become the trophy, crown, and war victory for local bands around the twin cities. When Pagan Fest arrives at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN, on May 8th, 2009, one bruised and wounded band will crawl out of the mid-western metal sea and claim the Pagan Fest stage as their throne. Bands are training right now, knowing that the upcoming slaughter will lead to either victory, or inescapable doom.

A calling for the Battle of the Bands was announced by Swordlord Productions, and the first match has already come and gone, with Seared claiming to be king of the hill of bones and shattered guitars. “It was great to have such a good turnout for the first battle!” states Seared’s vocalist/guitarist Aaron Boike. “We are excited to see who we are going to be up against in the final round and we plan to be at our best yet! We look forward to seeing everyone at the finals on May 3.” The next battle, being held on the  grounds of The Triple Rock on March 25th of 2009, will shred faces off. “PaganFest 2 is going to be the most exciting show I produce all year. If you miss this show, you are going to miss one of the best line-ups ever assembled for a US tour,” Says Nathan from Swordlord. “…it will be 100% worth it to attend, I absolutely guarantee it!” Swordlord has also made mention of giving free Warbringer tickets if you come witness the bloodshed. Read about it on his blog. Train hard young metal heads. Be well equipped with axes, maces, shields, and Kerry King arm spikes. See you in the pits. I am definitely looking forward to all bands, especially Now Until The Hour.

Aveam treabă azi, prin curte, prin frig, printre copaci, eram cu căștile în urechi. Aduceam lemne să pornesc focul în centrală (da, am centrală pe lemne, e super tare). Era pe înserate, îmi plăcea, sunetul vîntului prin copaci, mă gîndeam… cum de nu am observat pînă acum? Mi se părea sublim. Ce iluzie!

Ascultam Moonsorrow, auzeam marea, din piesă. Credeam că e vîntul printre copaci. Mi-e dor de mare.

Marea

Am ajuns aici. Pe-aici trece granița
între pămînt și mare: talaz cu talaz înfruntîndu-se,
vijelia cu liniștea roșie ca o meduză.
O cărare de lună te poartă deasupra tenebrelor.
Tăcută,
se șterge urma durerii, pierind din nisipuri.
Aici rîndunica spintecă blînd rețelele nopții.
Aici arde focul strălimpede, stins înaintea morții,
de valuri.
Reflexul tăcerii,
film de vise acvatice,
cînt pentru omul străin și pribeag, și sevă-n stejarul
patriarh.
Am ajuns aici. O mare, un adio
înaintea marilor bezne.
O graniță între tăcere și taină.
Păduri de valuri, corăbii arse,
și ochi și orbite întoarse înspre stelele rătăcitoare.

Cel ce se uită pe sine, trăind,
e cel mai aproape de viață: colb e pe drum,
și zgomot de valuri. Zadarnic
stai astăzi în cumpănă fără să știi ce e bine: să
nimicești.
sau să-nalți o zidire din pietre de vînt, din neant,
să schimbi moartea ta pe o visare străină?

Ca un necunoscut îți trece tăcerea
furnicîndu-ți prin piele, printr-o pădure de vine
albăstrii.
Tot mai mult cutreieri fără să cauți: o noapte de
vis, o rădăcină-mplîntată
în pămînt, ascunsă în spațiul fără timp, în
pămîntul fără timp.

— Bo Carpelan (1926)

Nuevas bandas añadidas a XTREM en las últimas semanas:

Alice Cooper · Amon Amarth · Arch Enemy · Behemoth · Bon Jovi · Carcass

Ensiferum · Korpiklaani · Moonsorrow · Slash · Whitesnake 

Calendarios 2009:

Luis Royo / XT2179

Luis Royo – Dome / XT2178

Camisetas de Grupos:

Arch Enemy – Wages of Sin / XT2104

Turisas – Battle Metal / XT2109

Behemoth – Eagle – Camiseta de Chica / XT2106

Behemoth – Magic Pazuzu / XT2105

Figuras:

Jon Bon Jovi / XT2177

Lenore – Figura de Vinilo / XT2176

Lenore, Taxidermy y Spam Witch / XT2175

http://www.xtremonline.com/

http://www.tiendaheavy.com/

www.myspace.com/xtrem_metal_shop

www.fotolog.com/xtremonline