Morningstar hails from Aanekoski, Finland and have a history that dates back to '92, though the band was formed as early as '89. I haven't heard the demos or any of the bands earlier albums, but I've seen it described as something along the lines of being either Hellhammer worship or blackened heavy metal, which raises a question or two.
At least on, 'Finnish Metal,' Ari (guitar/vocals), Jani (bass) and Benjam (drums) play old school sounding epic heavy metal. The production is dirty and raw and nothings been done to hide that, the vocals are performed in a sort of heroic-ish manner while the music itself is filled with catchy riffs and cool solos. These riffs/solos and especially the entirety of, 'Damned Child' & 'In the Night...' radiate a sort of majestic quality within them that reminds of Manilla Road or Bathory with it slower but regal pace. Alternatively the whole thing just has this vintage spirit, which brings you back to the 80's, also on songs, such as, 'The Land of Vipers' or 'Diehard Rocker' a drunken mood feels right, a bit like the Swedish band, Gehennah, and I'll probably eventually find myself pumping my fists and singing to these ones the next time this one is playing with booze & friends around.
The lyrics have a strong fantasy theme or could be based around Kalevala and Tolkien lore too, but what makes them fun is that I get the impression that Ari doesn't have a perfect grasp on the English language and his words have that sort of good time corniness to them, for example, "My amps are made in hell, Manufactured by the devil himself, People say I'm evil, but I'm a rocker. True metal comes from the underground..." or "Eastern trolls, Western Christians, Are always trying to conquer our land, But they died by the venom (of vipers), And they cried in pain..." or maybe its just the tone of his voice and delivery. I dig it though.
Although the band released six albums, I don't think their sound every caught on much since I'd never heard of them until stumbling upon this little gem. 'Finnish Metal' also ended up being the bands last record after breaking up in '07 due to creative differences and lack of time, though it seems Ari and Jani are rockin' out in Heathen Hoof these days.
Morningstar was actually a pretty well-known name in the Finnish black metal UG circa 1992 - 1995 though the way people saw them varied quite a bit, some claimed them not being a proper "true" black metal band while others hailed their old school sound. I do believe they did get some international recognition as well but they sort of fell off the radar by mid-90's, probably due their label doing very little promotion (they signed to German Moonlight records around 95/96) and their first label Wild Rags who released a MCD "As the Wolfs Howl" and the CD "Rivendell" was not exactly the most prestigious one around.
ReplyDeleteStill funny though you haven't ever heard of them, I'd recommend you to check out the old material too if you get an opportunity, I personally enjoy that most and it's still quite rocking. The 2nd album "Heretic Metal" is my fave but probably next to impossible to find overseas.