Voimasta Ja Kunniasta [IMPORT]

Moonsorrow (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 4, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Spinefarm
• ASIN: B00005UQXP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #178,650 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Epic & melodic heathen/Viking metal. Spinefarm Records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Voimasta Ja Kunniasta - Of Strength and Honor!, November 8, 2003

By	Mr D. "Artist/Designer/Kibitzer" (Cave Creek, Az United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Ok, you're wondering what the Hell is Moonsorrow. They are in my estimation the pre-eminent Viking Metal band. Ok, now you're wondering what the Hell Viking Metal is. Viking metal is a fairly recent phenomenon, say five years, which is an offshoot of Deathmetal which combines elements of Symphonic metal with choirs, viking folk music and melodies, no kidding and it's fabulous!

Despite the ominous trappings, I find Moonsorrow to be uplifting and inspiring. Maybe I was a Viking warrior in a past life. Their music, with the exception of the symphony is what you might expect a group of warriors to sing around some proverbial campfire. Yes, the lead singer and only the lead singer has a raspy voice and yes, he does scream on occasion but these guys are Vikings for Christ sakes, if they can't get rowdy, Who the hell can, but, the background vocals are clean as a whistle.

Ok, let's get back to the music, shall we? Well, I can't really describe the music, except to say it's like the son of Enya and Wolfman is singing/growling while The Village People sing in the background/chorus' and all the while Lawrence Welk's orchestra plays in the background (not really). so, I'll describe(not counting the orchestra) all the instruments that are used: rhythm and acoustic guitars, keyboards, accordion, mouth harp, thunder percussion, timpani, 12-string, bass, vocals, choir, handclapping and sound effects ie. sounds of clanking blades, horse neighing and exclamations of swearing Vikings.

Here are some sample lyrics from our viking brutes (I think these guys are really pussycats);

WARRIOR'S GRAVE

"Amongst such ravage he arrived,
to a village once so calm.
Rooftops glowing the colours of flame
and the blood of the beloved on the ground.

Such anger did it raise to echo through all skies.
To beyond so many may have travelled
but not yet they were to take him along.

'though gathering his forces from those nearly defeated,
alone it was his rage that shook the cruel enemy.
Hundreds of corpses he trampled underfoot,
his axe on their necks as a display of mercy.

"Blades of your swords shall be set free,
iron so cold shall now redden!
Grant them a glimpse of your hatred,
drown them into the streams of gore!"

"Behind your shields you shall now hide,
all you cowards better flee!
Should you past us desire to walk,
our last man standing you must strike to the ground!""

All the songs(except the first) are long and pretty much equal but I'll try to describe a the last two.

"Aurinko Ja Kuu" (The Sun and the Moon) with its lifting choirs and epic ending is particularly memorable. Bombastic comes to mind, this song is lush, loud and oh, so catchy. It is a massively instrumental song where raspy vocals are relegated to the background. Not so with the choirs and orchestration which is right up front. Guitars and percussion also play a pre-eminent part in this song, which is somewhat of an anthem and as I mentioned the the last 90 seconds are even better.

"Sankaritarina." (Warriors Tale) You gotta hear this to believe it. This Epic song is really more like a soundtrack from a Historical film, such as Braveheart, Gladiator or even Mists of Avalon, it starts fairly slow and monumental, invoking images of ancient settlements situated on the misty shores of a great lake slowly picking up steam, and the melodies, as with the entire album are incredible. This a song you may want to play over and over.

Band Members

Henri Urponpoika Sorvali
- rhythm and acoustic guitars, keyboards, accordion, mouth harp, backing vocals, handclaps, choir -

Ville Seponpoika Sorvali
- bass, vocals, handclaps, choir -

Baron Tarwonen
- thunder percussion, timpani, 12-string, backing vocals, handclaps, choir -

Mitja Harvilahti
- lead and rhythm guitars, handclaps, choir -

Lord Eurén
- live keyboards

Conclusion

Ok , If I were a salesman, this where I would try to close the deal, but I'm not a salesman and I don't care if you buy or borrow or download Moonsorrow and if you are happy with your Radiohead or whatever else you're into and you never hear Moonsorrow what's the loss?

Probably nothing but I'm of the mind that I discovered these guys and they were great, so their must be some other great guys. I can't let any great guys go unheard. I've got to hear em all and yes, I go through a lot of lousy guys, White Stripes come to mind.

Now I know that this music isn't for everybody and I certainly don't want you to buy something you won't like but then again life is full of chances.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riding forth from Valhalla!, June 24, 2002

By	Jill Martin (Akron, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This is truly one of the best Viking Metal releases by a group of accomplished musicians! Moonsorrow get just the right mixture of epic/medieval emotion with hard-hitting aggressive metal. A definite Bathory influence is shown but Moonsorrow has their own unique style. Keyboards are prominant but do not in any way drown out other elements, nor do they soften the sound. The keyboards, along with handclapping, mouth harp and acoustic additions, add to the folkish atmosphere of the music. An intro and instrumental interlude are added, giving the record a thematic and musical connectedness and wholeness.
Ville Sorvali is a great lyricist with both aggression and passion for what he sings about. Other elements such as a 'Viking choir' are added. All lyrics are in Finnish but translations are provided. Interesting hearing part of the Havamal recited in Finnish! Lyrics are intelligent, bringing alive the Viking past with a thought of how the ancient ideals still affect us today. A musical statement about connection with the ancient ones.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars viking metal must be stoped, September 7, 2006

By	Der Hammer des Kuchens "I guess so" (Kalifornia) - See all my reviews

Moonsorrow is a band that blends black metal with folk music and other epic elements.
The vocals are pretty harsh on this album unlike Sunden Uni. Some times he sounds like an animal screetching out sounds and not words but that's partly because the lyrics are in Finnish. They also have some clean vocals and have clean choruses.
The only time the vocals get annoying is on the last track because it has this great epic and beautiful sound and the vocals seem to ruin it but I learned to ignore it. Another thing that bothers me are the occasionaly rare guitar solo's. I believe that guitar solos's and folk metal just don't go together for some reason.
Most of the songs are long with the shortest one being a little over 7 minutes. Each song has so much from headbangin' parts to folksy parts to epic parts that just leave you in awe.
If you like black/folk/epic metal and you have time to listen to 7 minute long songs then you should get this cd.