Die finnische Folk-Metal-Band Finntroll veröffentlichte heute auf ihrem Myspace-Profil neue Informationen zu ihrem im nächsten Jahr erscheinenden Album. Das Werk soll den Titel Nifelvind tragen und elf Titel enthalten. Für Deutschland ist der 29. Februar 2010 als Erscheinungstermin geplant.

Das Album wurde in den Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki aufgenommen und in den Finnvox Studios von Mika Jussila gemastert.

Die Band ist mit dem neuen Album sehr zufrieden: „Nach angespannten und hektischen Wochen im Studio, fehlender Zeit und Sommerfestivals, sind wir jetzt sehr, sehr zufrieden mit den Ergebnissen. ‘Nifelvind’ ist das bisher fortschrittlichste und erwachsenste Finntroll-Album, mit musikalischen Elementen von kraftvollen Death-Metal-Riffs bis hin zu düsteren Soundtracks, von hämmerndem Black Metal bis zu grooviger 80er Popmusik. All das begleitet von unserem berühmtem Sound, vielen in der Metal-Szene noch nie zu vor in der gehörten Instrumenten, Folklore und Legenden, die das Album insgesamt zum vielseitigsten Werk machen, das wir bis jetzt produziert haben.”

Um das Album europaweit zu präsentieren, treten Finntroll als Headliner des Paganfests 2010 auf.

Tracklist des Albums:
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

Offizielle Website: finntroll.net
MySpace.com: OfficialFinntroll

Weiters zum Thema:
- Der Artikel Finntroll – Neues Album bis spätestens Januar 2010 (5. September 2009)

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.

Si terrà in un unico appuntamento lo show Paganfest, unico vero festival dedicato alle sonorità nordiche; famosi gruppi appartenenti a questa corrente saranno presenti a Milano tutti insieme per una serata dedicata ai vichinghi e alla cultura pagana. L’edizione 2009 di Paganfest ospiterà gli Korpiklaani come headliner che porteranno a Milano le sonorità del nord Europa. Al festival saranno presenti anche i seguenti gruppi:

Unleashed;
Die Apokalyptischen Reiter;
Alestorm;
Ex Deo;
Blackguard.

Paganfest si terrà il 30 Settembre presso i Magazzini Generali di Milano per una serata all’insegna della musica e della cultura pagana; i biglietti per questa serata sono disponibili su TicketOne al prezzo unico di 26,45€.

All photos taken by Fernanda Correia

All photos taken by Fernanda Correia

Many have fallen, many have succeeded, and there are many more to be slain. Before I branch off on the upcoming fight on April 22nd, 2009, at Station 4, I would like to say congratulations to the previous bands that have won! The show was amazing, with some pretty good pits popping up here and there. The winners of the second fight were announced. Warvolution (top) and Eternal Requiem (bottom) have tied for the Paganfest opening act. Serrated Records was fortunate enough to have a quick Q & A with members from the bands about their war strategies and victories.

Serrated Records: So guys, we would all like to know, how does it feel to win?

Eternal Requiem: It feels great!! We didn’t think we would win going into it, especially after hearing the response Warvolution got.

Warvolution’s drummer Sam Flach: It really feels great. We didn’t play the show expecting to win, especially after seeing the night’s amazing band line-up. We just wanted to have a good time, entertain our fans, and maybe make a few more fans in doing so.

SR: What do you think was the deciding factor of your win?

ER: I think it was the fact that we have a completely different sound, but I’m (we’re) sure dressing pagan helped too, haha.

WV: Well, the overall decision was based on how loud each band got the crowd to respond, and we were fortunate to have a lot of loyal fans in the audience that night. Other than that though, we really put on a good solid show, and I saw several people cheering their fuckin’ brains out who had never even heard of us before.

SR: Well said. Swordlord judged that the crowd response was rated at 9.5 for both. Do you agree with the judges that there were two winners, both Eternal Requiem and Warvolution?

ER: Yeah we do, we both had great crowed responses and it would really suck if one of us had to lose by a .1 or something.

WV: The final judging was really based on the volume of crowd response, and I was in the audience when the Eternal Requiem fans let loose their screams, shouts, and “Re-qui-em!” chants. It was really impressive how determined their fans were to make Eternal Requiem win, so I would say it is only fair to the fans that we both move on to the final round.

SR: Sounds like the metal scene here are all good sports, and put music before competition. That’s always good to see. Anything else you would like to comment on about the night or the upcoming battle?

ER: We just wanted to thank everyone that cheered us on, and mighty Swordlord for having us!! We definitely hope to see everyone May 3rd for Round 2!!!

WV: Thanks to everyone that showed up!

These two bands will be battling Seared on May 3rd, 2009 at Station 4 to decide the final winner! The next match is on April 22nd, 2009 at Station 4, and will include even more brutality. Read up on it on Swordlord’s blog here about the upcoming events, everything he has done, and what he is excited for. “March 25th, (the second battle) was a night I was truly proud of.” Says Nathan from Swordlord. As a promoter, sometimes local shows don’t go over quite as well as you hope, but 3/25 was an exception.  I am terribly proud of the evening and I think 4/22 (the third battle, on April 22nd at Station 4) will be even better, hope to see everyone there!” I would also like to thank Swordlord for being a part of our metal scene and not letting it die! Stay heavy everyone!

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.

After listening to this album over and over and over and over again, I finally conjured up enough courage for me to give this album the mark “MASTERPIECE”. No album had blew me away this year more than Slania. Song after song of catchy riffs, folk instruments that clashes into the catchiest choruses you can image. Just an amazing band all around. After seeing them play right in front of me on Paganfest, I thought that this band would be legendary. There is absolutely no flaw to slania whatsoever. Just pure fun Folk Metal that is so catchy, it remains in your head forever.

If your into Folk Metal, Eluveitie’s Slania is one of the albums you have to pick up and listen. If your sick of that Dream Theater, Angra, Dying Fetus, Cannibal Corpse, Satanic Warmaster, Judas Iscariot, Burzum kinda metal, then Slania is for you.

If you just love music and wouldn’t mind hearing Metal with Folk Instruments, then Slania is for you.

A few pictures of Eluveitie on Paganfest

This is the official music video of Inis Mona

TURISAS!!!!

The sounds of Norse Gods echoed throughout B.B. Kings Blues club and Grill as Paganfest 2008 invaded 42nd street. Paganfest is a tour made up of some of the finest Folk Metal bands to grace this earth. Tonight’s lineup featured Tyr, Eluveitie, Turisas, and Ensiferum, but due to poor planning on my part and personal duties the next morning I was only able to experience the first three acts this evening. Nevertheless, the night was still in my favor for the fact that Tyr, Eluveitie and Turisas were all bands I had heard very little (if anything) from before.

Tyr was the first band of the night and the most conventional of the three. They brought some serious metal to the floor and, despite the ‘No Moshing’ signs posted, brought the crowd up to a nice slow boil. With a heavy and occasionally slow sound and clean lyrics they stepped away from the sometimes-grandiose sound that folk metal bands tend to have. Tyr doesn’t employ the more unique instruments (i.e. bagpipes, flutes, and the like) found in many folk metal bands, but this doesn’t stop them from bringing to life the Scandinavian lore contained in their lyrics.

Once I glanced at the plethora of traditional folk instruments that Eluveitie was bringing to the stage I was filled with giddy anticipation. Just the appearance of the 9-member band (their heavily bearded and tattooed bassist and flutist as well as their lead singer who looks like The Undertaker of pro wrestling fame) gave me chills as they besieged the stage.

Bagpipe Discontent

Rocking with the hurdy-gurdy

Eluveitie blends the old style with the new school with a sound reminiscent of bands such as In Extremo but with the modern edge of Arsis. This was the only time I could ever remember being able to discern all of the various instruments being used on stage. Even the unassuming hurdy-gurdy could be heard over the cacophony of the other instruments (Side note: I always thought the first time I would ever see a hurdy-gurdy used onstage would be at an In Extremo show; I guess I was wrong). Eluveitie is a band that every folk metal lover should have on his or her play list.

Unfortunately, the last band I was able to see was Turisas. And even more unfortunately, I was only able to catch the first 4 songs of the night. This was enough, however, for me to get a hint of the power behind Turisas and some really cool pictures too. They dominated the stage in war paint and animal skins akin to their mighty Norse ancestors. Even their lovely female accordion player was dressed for the battle to come. Songs about the glory of battle and beer folk metal at its finest was what Turisas brought to the table; and I gorged.

Stompity STOMP!

As an added bonus to the evening, between the Eluveitie and Turisas sets I took a short breather outside the venue and bumped into the always delightful Bill Zebub who was tirelessly handing out his newsletter, The Grimoire of Exalted Deeds. I decided to chat him up and he was nice enough to hand me a copy of the Director’s cut to “Stereotypes Don’t Just Disappear Into Thin Air” entitled “The Most Offensive Movie Ever Made”. To make up for this shortened article, expect to find a review of this film to pop up in the coming weeks.

• Ensiferum Home Page, Myspace
• Turisas Home Page, Myspace
• Eluveitie Home Page, Myspace
• Tyr Homepage, Myspace
• Bill Zebub’s Grimoire of Exalted Deeds

Last night I met Factor and his work cohort Piston (name changed to protect the innocent) at Virgil’s BBQ in NYC. Obviously. They had just finished playing a little softball with their work peeps and we were now preparing for Paganfest at BB Kings! I was girding myself because1 – I was EXHAUSTED. It’s been a really tough week. Really busy and just a few creaks and groans from the smackfactor as a unit. Man life is hard work. But anyway, things are equalizing – but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t exhausted. I yawned through my rum and coke at virgil’s and yawned all the way to BB kings. I dropped a few “I’m fading fast” comments, but Factor and Piston weren’t having any of it! And i’m glad because as soon as I walked up to the marquee that read “pagan fest” I got a big ole rush of adrenaline.

I have one word for you people. And it’s Turisas. Blood red face paint, abrupt Finlandian (“zat eez fuckingk excelllent!”), animal skin and leather costumes, a hot female accordianist, a wiry electric fiddler, a big fat animalistic hammerman, and a scrazzle.. possible person of the street guitar fellow on the far right. I wanted to pillage and plunder with my ax or club! I wanted to steal peoples ships and do a jig on their dismembered body parts.

It

Was

Awesome

The signs said “no moshing” but the Vikings said DANCE. BB Kings smelled of sweaty fat kids young and old. A wet combination of hot wings, onions, and old laundry, it was. Turisas made it possible for me, going on two hours of sleep from the night before, to stay up watching DVR’d Real World while cramming sloppy cheese steaks in my mouth until 2:00am with FActor. I know, we’re so hard core. Sitting there, sweating over a heart attack in a hoagie, I realized how much he is my best friend. When we’re not seeing eye to eye and there’s tension on the homefront, I miss not sharing stupid shit from my day to day. I am not complete without him and I’m proud to say it. I’ve got my little guy and I love him.

ok throw up.

Highlight of the evening? Watching Factor manflirt with his mancrushes (you know, lots of Hey hey!! hand slapping and complimenting of facial hair) from Metal Sucks! It was great to meet Vince Neilstein and Axl Rosenberg, two furry little guys with a bloodthirst for VIKING METAL! Ok, sorry. Overheard after Factor bought me a Bud Light:

“You realize you just bought a 13 year old girl a beer” – Axl Rosenberg

“That’s not a 13 year old girl, that’s my girlfriend – and she’s 31″ – Factor

“SHE’S 31!?!?!?!?!?!” – Axl Rosenberg.

I love that reaction.

This past weekend Lyndsey had her bachelorette party, she was gone from Friday until Sunday night. This left me all alone, luckily I had plenty to do. Well actually let me jump back to Thursday night, I attended Paganfest and holy hell, what an amazing lineup, I was introduced to several new bands from far off distant lands who I had never heard of but to name a few who stood out for me were: Eluveitie, Turisas, and Ensiferum These were some amazing performances, singing songs of victory on imaginary battlefields, using instruments I had never seen before and costumes that made Braveheart look like a fifth grade play.

Then on Friday I ended up going to see Ironman with Tim. And let me just tell you, what an amazing movie and an even more amazing performance by a Mr. Robert Downey Jr., to which I think without him, this movie would have flopped. He played Tony Stark to a “T” ha! But actual story and attention to nerdy details helped make this movie one of my favorite super hero movies I’ve seen so far.

Saturday I went to Powerfest, I actually missed the night before with Iced Earth playing because of really bad weather but I was able to attend the second night to see Testament which was well worth it even though I showed up too late and missed SuidAkrA which pissed me off.

So we have also been packing to move all week and we move into our new place on Saturday, and all the wedding invitations have gone out, so maybe the stress can start subsiding, well maybe not until the actual wedding is over but you know what I mean.

Erik visits a lot of concerts. To make some photo’s. Yesterday was Paganfest @ 013 and Vive la Fete @ Mezz.

Tomorrow he will visit Roadburn act Down at the Melkweg Amsterdam. Sunday is the day of his life. Finally he is able to see all-time favourite act Backstreet Boys. He needs your support to survive..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikluyten/2387650606/