Year: 2024
Total Time: 43:22
Label: Nuclear Blast
The Finnish band KORPIKLAANI needs no special introduction, as it is among the foremost representatives of Folk Metal. Their latest-twelfth album is entitled “Rankarumpu” (or “tattered drum” in Finnish language).
The band, featuring Jonne Järvelä on vocals and acoustic guitars, Kalle “Cane” Savijärvi on guitar, Jarkko Aaltonen on bass, Sami Perttula on accordion, Olli Vänskä on violin, and Samuli Mikkonen on drums and percussion, revisits their older sound with faster tempos, creating one of their most engaging albums to date, without missing the party-tavern atmosphere that defines their music.
The album opens with “Kotomaa” showcasing Sami and Olli with their accordion and violin. Following is “Tapa sen kun kerkeet” which sounds more aggressive thanks to Cane’s riffs, while Jonne delivers his drunken, raspy vocals relentlessly. “Aita” offers even more madness with Sami’s accordion, and with “Saunaan” I can already envision the chaos it will bring to European festivals. “Mettään” starts with Cane’s guitar and continues with fast rhythms, while “Kalmisto” offers a groovier sound with Jarkko’s downtuned bass.
The titular track “Rankarumpu” brings an excessive dose of Finnish Folk Metal to our ears, driven by Samuli’s rhythmic beats, while Jonne passionately recites the lyrics. “No perkele” is undoubtedly a track that will feature heavily in KORPIKLAANI’s live performances, with Sami’s accordion introduction later reminiscent, in a Folk version, of SLIPKNOT’s “Wait And Bleed”. The melancholic track “Viikatelintu” follows, and “Nouse” with Samuli on drums and Olli on violin complementing each other. “Oraakkelit” is another anthem for dancing around the fire from KORPIKLAANI, and finally, “Harhainen höyhen” closes the album on a high Folk Metal note, thanks to Jonne’s remarkable vocals and all the album’s distinctive elements combined.
With “Rankarumpu” KORPIKLAANI doesn’t reinvent the wheel or redefine Folk Metal, but they do what they know best. They create albums steeped in their country’s tradition, enjoyable, and lighthearted in many ways, making you have a good time, which has its own value.
Rating: 7/10
Editor: Antonis Braikidis
Related Link: Korpiklaani – Official Page
