Artist: Metsatöll
CD: Karjajuht ( May 27th, 2014)
Label: Spinefarm Records
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They introduced themselves to the world with the ferocity of reincarnated spirits of medieval Estonian Vikings, and by their own confession, there was rage smoldering in the hearts of these four young Estonians. They nailed bar to rugged bar of their debut project, Terast Mis Hangund Me Hinge in a frigid basement on the fringes of the Pääsküla bog. As testament to their angst and desire to connect with the Estonia of yore, the quartet christened themselves ‘Metsatöll’, ancient Estonian for ‘wolf’. These were the inauspicious beginnings of what was to become one of the Baltic nation’s heavy metal flag-bearers. Umm, and the translation, you ask, of that there debut album title? ‘Steel in Our Frozen Souls’. Yep, they were more than a little upset. This was way back in ’99 when they landed on this hot idea of a rock band, but barely had the means to bankroll their big dreams.
Yet in their determination and youthful rage, Metsatöll managed to rack up an impressive 10 songs that tell the story of ancient Estonia and the passionate struggle of its sons and daughters to cling to shield their identity against the winds of change. Everything is on fire in this debut, including the CD cover and some songs (the fourth track goes by ‘Steelfire’). And if you think time would have cooled things down 15 years later, you’re dead wrong. If anything, the heat seems to have been turned up a few notches in the group’s 18th studio effort, to be released on May 27th on Spinefarm Records. Safe to say Metsatöll have been keeping busy since they laid down their marker at the dawn of the new millennium. After Terast Mis Hangund Me Hinge there were Hundi Loomine, Ussisonad, Hiiekoda, Lahinguvaljal Näeme, Raisk! and a dozen other albums; all shimmering gemstones paving the way for Karjajuht.
Markus – vocals, guitarsLauri – vocals, torupill, flutes, kannel, ängipill, mouth harp, goathorn, acoustic guitars
Kuriraivo – bass, stump instrument, stink drum, vocals
Atso – drums, vocal
If Karjajuht were a voyage, the opening cut, “Külmking” would find the four-man galley against a wall of impossible surf and driving winds. Steeling these men’s hearts against the tempest is the quirky, melodious strumming of multi-instrumentalist Lauri on the ängipill, the native Estonian take on the violin. But unlike its orchestral relative, this three-stringed, almost rectangular instrument has a dry, raspy edge which Lauri exploits to introduce us to this chaotic scene. Drowning out the grumbling of the black skies is the crazed chugging of guitarist/vocalist Markus and Atso going mental on the double bass drum. It is Markus whose throaty bawling guides the tune, and the rest of the band answer their leader in unison, setting the tone for an album whose title translates to ‘pack leader’. Suddenly from this sweet cacophony blow the mellow tones of a lonely flute. And just when you begin wondering where that came from, the song is over.
There is no let up in the tempo as “Lööme Mesti” engulfs your entire being like a California wildfire. The song’s title translates to ‘Together’ and the rugged harmonies are not unlike the blood-curdling war cries that gave Vikings the courage to disembark and wreak havoc on hapless homesteads. Fused with the reckless rage that fuels this song are dignified blasts from the torupill, again from the silky fingers and lips of Lauri. Far from being out of place amid the thrashing and growling, this Estonian take on bagpipes adds a distinctive folk flavor with Lauri adapting its high-pitched tones to Atso’s frenetic drumming. “See On See Maa” is where you get to stop and take stock of the carnage you’ve just witnessed, or rather, heard. It is laced with all those delicious Estonian ingredients Lauri mixes in ever so deftly and easily became the track I kept going back to.
Normal Nascar-pace service is resumed with “Must Hunt”. Though pronounced ‘moostey hoint’, really, these folk-rockers are coming after you, marching in step to parade-like drums. Only Metsatöll can fit a flute into the liberal thrashing that gives this song about a ‘black wolf’ its might and main. The way “Tõrrede Kõhtudes” begins with angelic kannel plucking might fool you into thinking the Estonian rockers found it fit to squeeze in a ballad. But the Estonian harp is soon joined by devilishly heavy guitar riffs. Surprisingly the two instruments make a lovely couple when they finally nestle in your ear. You probably won’t need to be given the title translation (‘in the bellies of barrels’) what with chanting so similar that of merry tavern patrons.
The album continues apace until it comes to a drawn-out conclusion on the last and longest of the twelve cuts “Talisman”. Here the playing is decidedly deliberate and you can savor every last guitar stroke and kannel twang. Even the hissing cymbals slow down, allowing you to contemplate the message of unity of purpose and zest for life Metsatõll have been preaching. Trust me, you won’t need an Estonian dictionary to get the point. 5 skulls out of 5!
Karjajuht Track Listing:
1) Külmking
2) Lööme Mesti
3) See On See Maa
4) Must Hunt
5) Terasest Taotud Tee
6) Öö
7) Tôrrede Kôhtudes
8) Metslase Veri
9) Surmamüür
10) Mullast
11) Karjajuht
12) Talisman
Connect With METSATÖLL:
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By: Phil Kimm, RockRevolt Magazine Contributor
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