MOONSORROW

(FINLAND)

JUMALTEN AIKA (THE AGE OF GODS)

(2016)
LABEL:

CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS

GENRE:

PAGAN/VIKING METAL

TAGS:
Epic, Hovering, Intimist, Low vocals
"A veritable hymn to pagan culture, "Jumalten Aika" is a bewitching record that confirms Moonsorrow's talent and its special place in the pagan folk scene."
NOISE (15.04.2016)  
5/5
(0) opinions (0) comment(s)
Once again, patience will have been required for the fans of Moonsorrow. The band will have taken no less than five long years before coming back to us with a seventh and much-awaited offering. The band took their time, even starting from scratch before reaching what they wanted to compose in order to be satisfied. "Jumalten Aika", literally "the time of the gods" in Finnish, is a new ode to nature, paganism and Finnish and Nordic culture in general. To do so, the band chose to put more emphasis on folk elements, wishing to go back to the roots of their influences. But Moonsorrow did not become Korpiklaani, for all that. The result is a very dense record composed of only five tracks, but four of them are well over 10 minutes long.

So this record is not the kind of record that is played in the evening to create a festive atmosphere. Rather, it is intended for an attentive listening, which is essential to fully grasp its strength and spirituality. Indeed, you have to plunge yourself body and soul into it to tame it and clearly it's worth the effort. From the very beginning with 'Jumalten Aika', the immersion in this mysterious world, both dark and bewitching, is total. Moonsorrow takes the listener to the heart of the Finnish forests in the cold of a winter that seems never to end, making him feel the full force of nature.

It is not useful or relevant to highlight one title rather than another among the five tracks of this ensemble as this record is made to be listened to as a whole. It's just necessary to say that when it comes to pagan folk tinged with black metal, Moonsorrow has struck again very hard. The coherence between the folk elements and the electric instruments is absolutely perfect. These passages are spread throughout the songs in a harmonious way and contribute greatly to give them this very special soul. What is also appreciable in these songs are the long instrumental moments that are necessary to better penetrate the spirit of nature. Finally, of course, the vocal work of the group should not be put aside, the choirs participating in the mystical atmosphere while the vocals of Ville Sorvalli is always so deep, adding to the dark side of the whole.

A shiver runs through the body at the end of the listening and the desire to return to it is immediately felt. Moonsorrow strikes a big blow with this sublime "Jumalten Alka" that will be placed in the pantheon of the genre and in the best achievements of an outstanding and fascinating band.
- Official website

TRACK LISTING:
01. Jumalten Aika
02. Ruttolehto incl. Päivättömän Päivän Kansa
03. Suden Tunti
04. Mimisbrunn
05. Ihmisen Aika (Kumarrus Pimeyteen)

LINEUP:
Henri Sorvali : Guitares / Claviers
Janne Perttilä: Guitares
Marko Tarvonen : Batterie
Markus Eurén : Claviers
Mitja Harvilahti : Guitares
Ville Sorvali: Chant / Basse
   
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