Metsatöll - Äio (2010)

So far in 2010 I’ve been really slow about actually reviewing 2010 releases. Surely a wonder on my part since I’ve got a nice stack of 2010 releases sitting next to me here as well as a few other great records from 2009. So without further delay I’ll start getting to these new records. I figure I’ll start with one of my favorites.

‘Äio’ is my first experience with the wolf pack known as Metsatöll who formed over ten years ago in Tallin, Estonia as a three piece. Over the past ten years they’ve released three full-lengths albums, three DVDs, three singles an EP and now into their eleventh year of existence they’ve unleashed their fourth album, ‘Äio’ upon us through the mighty Finnish label Spinefarm.

Metsatöll’s music is a fine mix of lively folk instruments and mid-paced heavy metal with cleanly sung vocals in their native tongue. Frankly speaking I find that Metsatöll is a very rare and unique band in the folk metal genre since I’ve heard few others that sound exactly like them. The band uses a large variety of folk and nontraditional metal instruments (flute, violin, kannel, mouth harp and mandolin) with the main one being the Torupill the Estonian variant of the bag pipe, which is present during most of their songs. The folk instruments naturally add an extra lively element to their songs, which pretty much make me want to strip down, suck up a few quarts of booze and dance and headbang in a mad fury while listening to these guys music. Picture that.

As far as the metal portion of their music goes it seems the guitar work is generally a simpler affair where the band largely relies on the folk instruments for depth and color within their songs. Of course the guitar work isn’t bad and in fact there are some interesting riffs within this record, but don’t expect any wild lengthy Iron Maiden-ish solos on this one. On the other hand the bass guitar is very vibrant and easily heard and it adds an extra thick trait to the music. The drums are also quite well performed and diverse and interesting the whole way through the record.

Markus’ lead vocals are performed entirely in a cleanly sung manner with his voice having a deeper baritone quality to it, while Lauri also contributes some yoik and throat singing, which you may be familiar with if you've heard Finntroll. Although I do like the singing a lot I think for some people it may be a hurdle to leap over since most of us folk metal listeners are used to screamed or growled vocals within this genre. And of course all of the words are in the Estonian language, though again I’ve found that I really like this language but for some people it might be something to get used to.

Lastly and unfortunately the album only exists as an import for now so if you live within the USA expect to pay a lot (I paid about $23 altogether with the shipping), but it’s certainly worth is since it’s a fantastic album and the booklet also contains some great nature shots as well as all the lyrics printed in both Estonian and their English translations.

If you enjoy folk metal then I highly recommend ‘Äio’ since it’s a true gem within this genre as well I’m sure Metsatöll will be a band to keep our eyes and ears on as the future unfolds.