VALKEAT – Fireborn – 2LP – Fire Coloured Vinyl [AUG 18]

2LP – Limited Edition Fire Coloured Vinyl (Orange).

There is a sense of magic and wonder that is an exclusive thread of Finnish metal. It’s the sound of falling snow, running wolves, shining stars and the flickering spirits that are the Northern Lights and Valkeat are its latest and most fervent ambassadors. Born in 2014 in Espoo, hometown of the almighty Children Of Bodom, the six-piece boasting two kantele players are about to set the world of pagan metal ablaze with their second call of the wild “Fireborn“, a haunting, enchanted piece of Finnish metal history that will go a long way. You can quote us on that.

Densely packed with soaring anthems and musical majesty, Valkeat consisting of singer Miikka Virtapuro, guitarist Aleksi Kulmala, bassist Juho Aarnio, kantele players Eppu Puhjo and Iida-Maria Kuronen as well as drummer and percussionist Vesa Laamanen continue the great tradition of epic Finnish metal sagas. With jubilant chants, primordial melodies and pagan spirit, the band echoes the great stories of all those before them of Nightwish, Amorphis, Korpiklaani, Turisas, or Moonsorrow. Not by copying them, mind you. But by writing hymns to Finland, its forests, legends and otherworldly creatures.

“Representing and modernising the traditional Finnish music culture is important to us, which is why we have two kantele players in our band,” says vocalist Miikka Virtapuro about the use of Finland’s cherished national instrument with its unmistakably forlorn and bittersweet sound. “We are trying to modernise it for a big audience with our country’s biggest instrument maker Koistinen Kantele. We hope to create something that will interest people in our culture and traditions, but also something that will give them strength and vitality in the challenges of life that we all face.”

A far cry from a bunch of people dressed up for a Renaissance fair, rambling about folklore without depth, scope or seriousness, “Fireborn” speaks from the soul. From the soul of each musician, but also from the soul of Finland. Founded on the shores of the infamous Lake Bodom, Valkeat are vessels for all the musical greatness that has ever come out of this vast, mesmerising country. “Some of us went to the same school as Children Of Bodom back in the day, so there were a lot of stories and fandom when we were teenagers and first discovered metal music,” recalls guitarist Aleksi Kulmala. “Nowadays the scene is not as big as it used to be because metal music is not as mainstream as it used to be in Finland, but we try to keep the spark alive.” Maybe what the scene needed was just such a batch of shining songs with the power to unite. These magical tunes will ring out from the festival stages in no time, sung in unison by bands and fans alike. “In addition to metal and rock music, a big influence for us was epic film scores, especially composers like Hans Zimmer and Ennio Morricone,” says Vesa Laamanen. “We really wanted to make an epic album that was more of a musical spectacle than a traditional metal album. By taking the unusual approach of composing songs that are less riff-driven and more melody-driven, Valkeat create a unique musical atmosphere that will make you pump your fist and shout along in rapture. It’s that kind of album. “When creating the soundscapes we used a lot of real orchestral instruments like violin and cello and traditional Finnish folk instruments like kantele and jouhikko,” says singer Miikka Virtapuro. Add to that deeply mysterious, atmospheric lyrics inspired by Finland’s book of wonders, the “Kalevala”, and you have the next Finnish metal sensation at your fingertips. Big words, we know. But true to the last centimetre. Named after the magical artefact Sampo from the “Kalevala“, a machine that creates eternal wealth, “Fireborn” was mainly forged in the prestigious Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki.

“We also recorded the choruses in one of our mother’s attics to stay within the budget,” laughs bassist Juho Aarnio. DIY all the way! Among the many standout tracks, songs like the colossal anthem “Tribe” will immediately sweep you off your feet. “We wanted to make a clear, big arena hit single for the album,” says Kulmala. “You know, with catchy vocals, bombastic orchestras and sing-alongs.” Ehm, mission accomplished! “My Crown” is like a walk through a dark forest at night, while “Swan Song” represents the melancholic, folkloric side of Valkeat. Ukko” will leave you speechless, before the archaic, ritualistic “Mora” pays tribute to Sami culture. And that’s not even the first half of the album, folks. Something big is coming. “Fireborn” is the album that will make Finnish folk metal great again, a new beginning, a real perspective on these magical, otherworldly melodies. We can’t really believe what these guys have done here a ravishing, uplifting, primal love letter to Finland and its thousand wonders.

Tracklist:

Side A
1. My Crown
2. Tribe
3. Swan Song (Lemminkinen)

Side B
1. Ukko
2. Mora
3. Fireborn

SideC
1. Karjalan Kunnailla
2. Summer Nights
3. Iku
4. Vana

SideD
1. Tule Kokko
2. Thunderbird
3. Kuolematon
4. Land of Falling Leaves – Song up the Skies