Review Summary: Tulimyrsky may not live up to the standards of Moonsorrow's full lengths, but it sure is one hell of a ride.
Moonsorrow is a folk metal band that originated from Finland. Their style sounds like symphonic black metal with different folk metal elements. Even though some of their songs have viking themes, they try to distance them self away from viking metal because they aren’t Norse. Tulimyrsky is Moonsorrow’s most recent release, even though they have five other albums before this one. Even though Tulimyrsky is an EP, it still clocks in at about an hour and ten minutes, which is huge considering that most EPs are really short. There still is only one new song in this EP, though, and it’s the title track. There are also two covers and two re-released songs from their demos. Also, one thing about this EP is that three of the song’s lyrics are in Finnish, so unless you know Finnish,you’ll probably have to translate them.
1). Tulimyrsky(Firestorm), 29:44: The first thing that can be said about this song is the sheer length. At almost a half hour, this song really needs some time to listen to. It first starts out acoustic with background noises that makes it seem like you’re in a small village along the sea, it’s very relaxing that way. Before long someone starts speaking in Finnish telling a story. But me, not knowing the language, have no idea what he’s saying. At about 3:50 the song starts. It’s slow at first, then gains in speed until it gets blazing fast. Here is where they add the usual black metal vocals and they’re actually really good for the genre. The chorus is really catchy and it goes along with the song very well. It sometimes goes back to the acoustic storytelling part, but it fits. The whole song is about vikings raiding a village, and while that may sound basic, Moonsorrow created a whole epic out of it, and it’s amazing. I would definitely recommend it if you have the time to listen to it. I’m going to post the translated lyrics of the first two parts of the song, but keep in mind there are nine parts, and this is only the beginning.
[1]
“I remember how I looked out the window that night.
The sea was calm, and the sky of stars covered the thin, gauzy mist.
The beach was quieter than ever, but I could not sleep.
I watched the birds vibrate oksillaan;
I was wondering why they are so restless, as if they had been waiting for something.
Later I understood that death was whispered to them, just as it would have whispered to us if we had known how the ban. “
[2]
“In the morning they arrived yet viipyessä.
Six long and narrow,
beautifully decorated boats piirtyi fog less than a mile away from the window,
where I watched them.
I watched how the armed men one after the other kahlasivat to the beach and set fire soihtuihinsa;
and they were initially silent, as silent as rantakin.
Ikkunaltani candle extinguisher in the hope that the men had not noticed me, and fled. “
Arms up! Flares up! Now go and destroy! All the burn!
Compassion does not earn, every inhabitant kill!
You left your home losing sleep over it, do it and fill the earth!
You do not want blood, now it yourself tahrikaa!
Sea reflects the high flames, dragons resting proudly in the middle.
Watch the looting, the following killer ax and a sword.
Someone runs away, rips the arrow back. So many verivanaan drowning.
Sea reflects the high flames, the sun obscured by the spirit of the black fire.
So will rise … came the storm!
Spits black blood!
Paint the sky … came the storm!
Liekein land nylkee!
2). For Whom The Bell Tolls(Metallica cover), 7:43: I’m assuming that everyone reading this has heard the original Metallica song. This cover has a whole folk/black metal tint in the song, and it sounds fantastic. The riffs and lyrics are very familiar, and good, even though it’s kind of weird having this kind of band cover a Metallica song. Give it a listen if you think the idea sounds good.
3). Taistelu Pohjolasta(Battle of the Northern Countries), 8:10: This song begins with a bang and doesn’t let up. It has this whole mystic-sounding chymes that match the guitar riffs nicely. There’s not too many lyrics in this song, and it really makes up with multiple very good guitar riffs. It’s an excellent song, through and through.
4). Hvergelmir, 9:29: Begins, just as the last song, with a blazing guitar riff and insanely fast drumming. It has this kind of recurring theme of the riffing throughout the song, and changing to another that equally matches its ferocity. This whole track is performed at almost breakneck speed, and that’s not really what makes it good, it’s the amazing melody effectively using the keyboards and the guitars. The end of the song is slower with the storytelling elements. I would definitely recommend this a listen.
5). Back To North(Merciless cover), 13:08: There aren’t too many people familiar with the original version of this song, myself included, so I don’t really have anything to compare it with. I’m guessing the original song wasn’t 13 minutes, though. The song is pretty aggressive to begin with, but at about the 3 minute mark, it slows down with an acoustic melody. Throughout the song, it has many good riffs, and melodies, but I can’t help but feel that the song drags out for too long. I would recommend this if you liked the original Merciless song, but if not you should probably skip this one.
I would recommend this album to anyone who is into the genre of folk/black metal. If you aren’t I would recommend checking this band, the genre, and this EP out. If you still don’t like it then I can’t really recommend buying it, because even though this material is good, I don’t see it converting any non-fans to fans. Most of the songs are vastly different while still keeping the whole Moonsorrow feel, and to me that’s a plus. The title track is also probably the best song on here, even though it is really long, I would only listen to it if you have the time. I give this extremely long EP an 8/10. Hope you enjoy.
