#and one mathias nygård

[hellyeahskwisgaar]

🧌⚔️

[metalsongoftheday]

Wednesday, November 27: Turisas, "Into the Free"

How has it been over a decade since Turisas put out a new record?  There might not have been an overwhelmingly large market for their brand of power/folk/viking metal ridiculousness, but the audience for this sort of thing is nothing if not consistent and stable.  So one would’ve expected at least two more records with tracks like “Into the Free”, which plowed through without regard for fashion, taste or grammar.  The drums were much faster than the guitars, though the chanting went along its merry way, while Mathias Nygård let the gang chorus and noodly guitars do most of the lifting, at least during the vocals.  The vocals quickly took a turn for the absurd, which was exactly par for the course for Turisas.  Speaking of silliness, there was a touch of Nocturnal Rites in the mug-swigging melodies, which made the Finns torch bearers for this type of mainland European power metal.  So “Into the Free” was the sort of thing that could’ve come out anytime in the last 30 years, which in its way actually made it sort of timeless.

[metsantytar]

This topic has appeared in my dreams a few times. I've dreamed that Mathias was

1) working in a home electronics store in my home town

2) making some very different kind of music as a solo artist, and Turisas being on hiatus because of that. I was at some event where he was talking about it, and a new song by him was also played there. I don't remember much about it, it was some sort of possibly acoustic poprock/schlager, I just remember not really liking the song a lot lol

3) teaching a course at the university I study at. What I remember about the course was that it had something to do with music, was to be held weekly via Zoom and didn’t require students to know music theory or how to play an instrument to attend. I still needed a few more credits to complete my bachelor's degree, so I enrolled. After that I found out Mathias would be taking interviews with the students to decide which ones actually get to attend (apparently he was taking the course pretty seriously...). This got me really nervous, 'cause I somehow couldn’t come up with other things to say about why I wanted to take the course than "I like your band" and "I need the credits". In the end I ended up missing the whole interview 'cause my computer had some problems right when it was supposed to start.

I wonder what comes next...

LOVE the speculation online as to what mathias has been up to ever since he left twitter/disappeared from the public eye. has he given up on music to start salmon farming? did he delete because people kept asking him for the new album, so he went off into the woods to write it unbothered? did he (gasp) succumb to… consumerism?

[randomforesttroll]

My old shoes broke, so i had to buy new ones from a flea market. Few mins ago i realized these give me Mathias Nygård/ Turisas vibes

[asgardian--angels]

Recommend some good folk metal music please

:D i never thought i’d see the day when someone actually wants to know more about the music i listen to *cracks knuckles* my time has come

I apologize in advance for this novel. Feel free to skip to the recommended tracks lol.

Most folk metal comes out of northern Europe (Finland, heavily) though you can find it all over the world (Hu Band comes to mind but I mean, it’s on every continent). I am one of those people with like, a small handful of favorite bands that I listen to mercilessly so I am sure that I am only representing a miniscule percentage of what’s available out there. What’s great is that folk metal is much more versatile than many other genres in its sound; the essence of folk metal is simply to 1) utilize traditional (or rather, in the sense of a metal band, non-traditional) instruments such as violin, accordion, brass ensemble, bagpipes, what have you, and 2) have lyrical themes which revolve around regional folklore, mythology, cultural heritage, or place (what I particularly like is a frequent reverence and respect for nature). Other genres of metal (death, black) have the second element but not the first, and tend to incorporate darker overall tones and consistently harsher or lo-fi vocal styles and sounds. Folk metal can be a gateway genre into metal and can often be quite hopepunk (if you will). Because of these criteria, the actual sound of folk metal can range from sea shanties to ‘spooky walk in the midnight woods’ to scathing social commentary to SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SH

Basically you can find a range of styles within the genre that fit what you’re looking for, from those that have an orchestral, ballad feel, to things that border on death metal but have a hurdy-gurdy in there. There’s also a much higher percentage of female-led folk metal bands than other metal genres.

I’ll go through my top picks.

Turisas. These motherfuckers. My boys.

Turisas is based in Finland, but sing primarily in English (with occasional Finnish, a smidge of Greek and Swedish too). Four albums out to date, fifth in progress. Sound is absolutely fucking bonkers god tier shit, if I may say so myself. Every single song sounds like you’ve been transported into an Iliad metal musical. Heavy use of a full orchestra and choir, along with sick violin and accordion solos. Their lyrical themes focus heavily on ancient Greco-Roman and Viking military history - but before you raise any red flags, rest assured they’re liberal as fuck and trust me the tea is scalding when Mathias feels like making a Point about Then and Now. No seriously, I don’t know how to express the beauty and depth of his songwriting - Mathias Nygård is an incredibly talented composer, musician, and songwriter (nay, POET), and an extremely intelligent and down to earth guy. There are plenty of bands that are happy to write Viking songs about pillaging and glorious death in battle and all that (Alestorm comes to mind), those are a dime a dozen. Turisas makes history come to life in a way that transports you back in time and thrusts you into the living breathing world of the past. They deal with the horrors and tragedy of war from both sides, consequences and motivations, fears and pride and loss, home and family, despair and hope. They write songs about people, big and small, and their role in weaving the great tapestry of history. And the best part is that it’s informed - Mathias does his damn research and the tales he tells are rooted in fact. He brings them to life so we can experience what it must have been like for those real living people, with the goal of forcing us to confront our own selves in them. He’s a modern Homer, I shit you not. 

Did I mention there’s a song about pirates that’s actually really complex and nuanced, about how the hypocrisy and vile colonialist deeds of emperors makes them no different than the criminals they persecute?

Or that they do a badass cover of Rasputin?? yeah?????

Anyway enough gushing. Their second and third albums (The Varangian Way, Stand Up And Fight) are consecutive concept albums that follow the story of the Varangian Guard (the legendary Viking battalion that defended Alexander the Great) so the songs are actually chronologically linked to tell this epic tale. It’s a fucking listen, lads. The Varangian Way is probably my favorite album. But all their albums are top notch. 

My favorite songs: End of An Empire (this one comes for 2020 hard), Piece by Piece (AKA die fascists 2k20), Cursed Be Iron, Among Ancestors, Greek Fire, Miklagard Overture (you gotta earn this song tho, it’s the finale)

Good first listen picks/hits: Battle Metal, To Holmgard and Beyond, March of the Varangian Guard, Ten More Miles, One More

Finntroll. These other motherfuckers. My other boys.

Another big name in the Finnish folk metal scene. As you can see, their band revolves both aesthetically and musically around Scandinavian troll folklore. Yall weird elf-fuckers who like the really big ears? Here you go. Look at those ears. They’re good friends with Turisas. Both love their facepaint.

Musical style leans much more towards black and death metal influenced, with a heavier, fuller sound and growling vocals. But it’s an incredibly rich and creative aural tapestry, with layers of masterfully executed sound that’s a real delight to lose yourself in. Use of fiddle, brass, keyboard, accordion, and banjo, and strong folk melodies make their sound unmistakable and unique. They are known for their ‘black humppa’ beat, which basically gives the effect of feeling the primal need to stomp around loudly to their music. It’s great cardio. They also utilize orchestra in some great intro tracks. They know their stuff.

The majority of their songs are sung in Swedish (they do some English cover songs which are FANTASTIC holy SHIT), but don’t let that stop you. The mood and power and emotion of their music transcend language, and you can be sure the lyrics are about either trolls, witches, the dark woods, spirits, or something of that ilk. I think Swedish as a language works very well with this kind of music, and honestly having it in English would lose something. 

They have been around a long time and so have many albums, but I personally have only listened to the last three which feature their current singer, Mathias Lillmåns, whom I adore. Those albums are Nifelvind, Blodsvept, and their recent release Vredesvävd (that i’ve had on repeat since I got it three weeks ago). I’m sure their other ones are great too, I just can’t make a personal recommendation since I haven’t heard them. 

My favorite songs: Galgasång, Tiden Utan Tid, Ylaren, Skogsdotter, Två Ormar, Ett Norrskensdåd, Skövlarens Död

Good first listen picks/hits: Forsen, Under Bergets Rot, Häxbrygd, Trollhammaren (older song), Solsagan

I’ll go through these other ones a little faster, I haven’t heard quite as much from them but I do love them.

Korpiklaani. 

Great, full folk sound, utilizes a lot of folk instruments including some less commonly seen ones like hurdy gurdy. Songs are mostly in Finnish but plenty in English too. Jonne Järvelä has a really unique voice that grows on you, but it’s not for everyone. The band started as Sami folk, and Jonne is trained in Sami yoik singing, which makes an appearance in a few songs. I prefer the Finnish tracks, as a lot of the English ones are drinking songs lmao. But again, really well-executed music with layers of sound that keeps you hooked. I haven’t heard enough of their discography to really recommend enough to cover everything. 

Song picks: Minä Näin Vedessä Neidon, Metsälle, Ämmänhauta, Lempo

Moonsorrow.

Definitely a darker, black-folk band. Probably not a great pick if you aren’t accustomed to black metal - very long tracks (8-15 mins is standard), growling/shrieking vocals, a ‘thinner’ but encompassing wall of sound usual of black metal, but with the benefit of wonderfully entrancing dark folk elements and chants. It’s done really really well. Sung almost entirely in Finnish (apart from cover tracks). Lyrically, focuses on themes of Norse mythology, man vs nature and similar elements. Definitely one of those bands whose music gets you into a zone. I can lose serious time just putting a whole album on and letting my mind wander elsewhere. My favorite album is Jumalten Aika. 

Song picks: Ruttolehto Sis. Päivättömän Päivän Kansa (my fucking FAVORITE), Suden Tunti (well known hit), and also uhh check out their cover of Non Serviam cause it’s a fucking banger

Other bands that I like what I’ve heard but really can’t say much about them, whoops - Tyr (from the Faroe Islands, great stuff, Faroese is a baller language), Ensiferum, Nightwish (female-led).... I’m open to suggestions. Like I said, there are folk metal bands all over the world, and each is intrinsically linked to a sense of place and cultural identity that makes them unique. I’d love to hear about more tbh. 

[midnight-madonna]

10,11,13,15,35?

10. Tell me about your fav crowd moment - hmm maybe people trying to explain to Mathias Nygård that 'sauna' in Polish is also sauna, I dunno

11. Do you prefer big or small venues? I like small ones better because the stage is usually closer to the audience and seeing bands so close is just agsggshsh! (of course if you get to the first rows) and tickets to small venues are cheaper lmao

13. What is a song that makes you cry? oh my...too many! usually sad power ballads

15. What is the cover that you think is even better than the original? hmm maybe The Green Manalishi (with the two-pronged crown) by Judas Priest (originally by Fleetwood Mac)

35. Tell me a random fact about your fav - ugh I have many faves...ok I gotta say that Gloryhammer are freaking awesome and that's a fact! 😂 also thanks to them I Iearned some stuff about Scottish geography lmao

thank you so much! 💖

[tekni]

25-29!

25. Someone you miss:My little sister and granny.

26. What’s one thing you regret?I try not to regret things. Usually I regret if I don’t do or say something when I have a chance.

27. First celebrity you think of when someone says attractive:Mathias Nygård 🙈

28. Favorite ice cream?Depends on the day. I love almost every ice cream you can get!

29. One insecurity:My annoying personality.

[folkmetalconfessions]

#546

He may not be the best singer out there, but Mathias Nygård has one of the most beautiful male singing voices I've ever heard in a metal band, to be honest.

(Photo by Shotison)

[for-a-home-that-once-was]

Mathias Nygård, Toby (you know which one ;D) & Loki >:D

Fuck: LokiMarry: TobiGet drunk with: Mathias Nygård(I feel this would be cool af)

Aneasy one, but thanks! ;3

[havocinthebluebox]

For the metal asks: 1, 3, 9, 13, 16, 18

1 : Folk and Black (which is funny because young me was not a Black metal fan at all !)

3 : That’s a tough one ! Ensiferum, Bathory and Rammstein but it took me far too long to choose because, let’s be real, it’s more something like a top 10 !

9 : Both subgenres have brought us excellent bands and I like both !

13 : Rammstein with the songs Du Hast and Feuer Frei ; it’s still one of my favorite bands. And System of a Down with the album Mezmerize !

16 : What a dilemma ! Let’s do a subjective top 3 okay ? Mathias Nygård, Neige and Peter Steele.

18 : At this time I would say harsh vocals but it varies quite a bit.

Thank you for asking ! (and sorry if it is a little bit confused, English is not my first language)

[ride-their-lightning]

Tagged!

By @eddiethehead thank youuuuu 1: Favourite subgenre? Geee, I really can't pick one! I listen too so many different ones! I really love melodic death- ,heavy-, thrash- and powermetal 2: Black or death? Death for sure 3: Favourite bands? Metallica, ghost, sabaton, slipknot, amon amarth, korn and rammstein (all different subgenres😂) 4: 3 least favourite bands? Okay so definitely megadeth but also facelifter gave me a serious headache at a festival once. And I do have a love/hate relationship with disturbed. I think their music is okay, but their singer is such an arrogant dick. He seems to envy the audience, just because they can look at him. He adores himself. 5: Thrash metal or grindcore? Thrash 6: Heaviest song you’ve ever heard? I really don't know 7: 3 overrated bands? This is kinda mean, but Megadeth. Everyone has their own taste right? 8: Metallica or Megadeth? Obviously Metallica 9: Folk metal or Viking metal? definitely viking 10: Melodic or technical death metal? Melodic! 11: 3 most ‘metal’ countries in your opinion? Finland, Sweden and Belgium 12: 3 underrated bands? Ghost, Sabaton and the amity affliction i think 13: What band got you into metal? Metallica :) 14: Best guitarist? Kirk Hammett (Metallica) 15: Best drummer? Christoph Schneider (rammstein) 16: Best vocalist? Mathias Nygård (turisas) his voice is just so beautiful 17: Best bassist? Cliff burton (metallica) 18: Clean vocals or harsh vocals? Harsh 19: bands you just can’t get into? Anthrax and iron maiden. I love iron maiden but I feel like they just deserve more of my love 20: When did you get into metal? 4 years ago 21: Why do love metal so much? To keep it short: i love the music, the fashion and of course the people 22: 3 favourite band logos? Don't really value bandlogo's so purely based on the shirts I own: metallica, slipknot and beartooth 23: Fast or heavy? Heavy, but rather both 24: Favourite NWOBHM band? Iron maiden 25: Favourite black metal band? Don't like black that much 26: Favourite death metal band? Amon amarth 27: Favourite thrash metal band? Metallica 28: Glam metal? Yes or no? Nay 29: 4 most influential metal bands? Black sabbath, metallica, Iron maiden and slayer 30: Favourite crossover genre? nu metal maybe? Im tagging: @gabibakos @ridethelighning @hailtocruelty and @william-shakespeare-jr

[midnight-madonna]

got tagged by the awesome @angels-holocaust to answer these questions, thank you!

Favourite band: Judas Priest, Korpiklaani, Accept, Turisas, Finntroll, Powerwolf, Rainbow, Mgła and more...

Favourite musician: Rob Halford, Jonne Järvelä, Peter Baltes, Glenn Tipton, Ronnie James Dio, Mathias Nygård, Alice Cooper

Favourite song: I can't choose just one 😂 but at the moment Vieras by Jonne

Favourite genre: metal (especially heavy and folk) but I like other genres too!

Favourite instrument: nooo, I can't decide 😂

Favourite era of music: the 80s? I don't know??

Favourite years of music: dunno

Least favourite genre: Polish rap (a big nope!)

Been to any concerts? yas

Favourite broadcast concert: I don't think I have one??

Favourite album: at the moment Battle Metal by Turisas is my fave

Any upcoming concerts?: Arch Enemy with Death Angel in June!

tagging @steeltrmentor @doctor--diamond @daveslutstaine @misfit-on-a-journey @havocinthebluebox @my-space-and-all-within @keep-looking-forwards-endlessly @in-oblivion-again