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| Kivimetsän Druidi - Betrayal, Justice, Revenge |
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| Written by Evelyn Heye |
| Wednesday, 07 April 2010 15:47 |
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Kivimetsän Druidi was contrived in 2002, on the ruins of a cover band. Greatly inspired by Moonsorrow’s ‘Voimasta ja kunniasta’ – Of Strength and Honour – keyboardist Antti and guitarist/vocalist Joni Koskinen agreed to terminate their ‘covering careers’ and put their musical abilities to better use in a metal band of their own. I take joy in discovering Betrayal, Justice, Revenge, the second album of these Finnish “fantasy metal” tyrants with a very distinct sound.
Band: Kivimetsän Druidi Album: Betrayal, Justice, Revenge
Review: After a two minute intro, the song ‘Aesis Lilim’ breaks through my speakers. I especially like the build-up to the all-important vocals. About three minutes into the album, a nearly celestial sound pours itself into my ears. It’s been a while since I’ve been blown away by an angelic throat-product as such. Leeni-Maria undoubtedly possesses one of metal’s best vocals. ‘Aesis Lilim’ is a strong track that can easily carry the whole album on its back. Tons of atmosphere and great accelerations galore.
About eighteen months ago, Kivimetsän Druidi introduced their first album Shadowheart. And although I am familiar with this band’s earlier work – more folkish – it didn’t really catch my eye. This time around however, they’ve deserved my attention to say the least. The vocals have improved extremely.
On ‘Seawitch and the Sorcerer’ Leeni-Maria’s singing style reminds me of Tarja Turunen’s at times, but the music Kivimetsän Druidi bring is harder and far more interesting. They blend multiple music styles together and although certain vocal sounds are quite odd, this band dares to experiment and that’s a huge plus.
The dark growls presented on ‘Betrayal, Justice, Revenge’ are ear-catching as well. One might expect that the combination of being Finnish, the lyrical themes and the female/male vocals make the name Battlelore pop into one’s mind. Again, this band kicks Battlelore’s ass hard. These male vocals are heaps less irritating, to not even irritating at all in comparison to Battlelore’s.
‘Manalan Vartija’ bids a short intermezzo with fairytale-like components and a snow-capped guitar solo.
‘Tuoppen’nostelulaulu’ is perhaps the most reminiscent of Kivimetsän’s earlier work. It’s not bad at all, but I feel as if the horn of folk metal has been sipped dry a long time ago. I am much more a fan of their newly chosen path. I really dislike the album artwork though, but that's just personal (lack of) taste.
This nine-stages-long exploration of the Finnish inland is closed off by ‘Desolation: White Wolf’.
Conclusion: A band to keep an eye on, and an ear as well. This is a great leap forward from where they left off and it makes one curious to what this band will come up within a few years time.
Rating: 80/100
Line-up: Antti – keyboards & backing vocals Atte – drums & backing vocals
Tracklist: 1. Lament for the Fallen
Bonus Tracks: 10. Veljet 11. Where Hope and Daylight Die
More info: www.kimesandruidi.com www.myspace.com/kivimetsanruidi Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites |
| Last Updated on Thursday, 08 April 2010 20:56 |
