Korven Kuningas album review

Korpiklaani - Korven Kuningas 21 March 2008 01. Tapporauta 02. Metsämies 03. Keep On Galloping 04. Northern Fall 05. Shall We Take A Turn 06. Paljon On Koskessa Kiviä 07. Ali Jäisten Vetten 08. Gods On Fire 09. Kipakka [Japanese bonus] 10. Kantaiso 11. Kipumylly 12. Suden Joiku 13. Runamoine 14. Syntykoski Syömmehessäin 15. Korven Kuningas 16. Nuolet Nomalan [digipack bonus] Korpiklaani are not a band that need a formal introduction these days, they have been one of the core bands of the wave of folk metal moving into the mainstream, and are also deservedly one of the most popular bands in this area for several reasons. Here we are again though, another year - another Korpiklaani album packed full of accordion laced folk fun. There have been enough albums in recent times to know what to expect from "Korven Kuningas", and your presumptions would not be wrong at all. We have a few great songs on this album such as the opener "Tapporauta" which sets a good pace for the album, but on the whole even when Korpiklaani are still one of the few bands that impose this much folk influence in the metal, the album cannot escape sounding just like the previous albums and making you question whether you accidentally bought the same album again instead. Musically there has been no significant progression, but then again this is not the kind of music to be analysed and picked at like that. Korpiklaani thrive in the live environment where most people have had their share of beer and only care about enjoying themselves with some fun music to prance around to. In that sense, "Korven Kuningas" is an album that will satisfy audiences, as this is another instalment of quality folk music inspired by the forests of Finland and delivered with radiating cheerful warmth. "Keep On Galloping" will no doubt be a great sing-along live and also "Gods On Fire", maybe suited more for the CD, shows off the slower side that we know they can do so well, also. Comparing to previous albums, maybe "Korven Kuningas" is not as punchy or constantly entertaining as previous albums. Nothing is as enchanting as "Pine Woods", nothing has the sheer enthusiasm behind it as, say "Happy Little Boozer" or "Beer Beer" and as a whole "Korven Kuningas" may not be as such of a solid album as "Tervaskanto", but these things will mean nothing when out there in a field hearing this material live. Korpiklaani are a band that just needs to be enjoyed without the analysis of performance or originality and such things. Korpiklaani are one of the top dogs in this game, and "Korven Kuningas" is a worthy album. It may not be the best the band has ever put out over the years but it certainly still brings a smile to the face, and this is what this music is all about at the end of the day.