(Below you’ll find Didrik Mešiček‘s review of Korpiklaani‘s new studio album, Rankarumpu, which will be released this Friday, April 5th, via Nuclear Blast Records.)
Korpiklaani is one of the first bands I ever properly got into – even though I thought they were way too heavy when I was a very, very different child at the age of about 13. For that reason, they’re one of those bands that will always be a bit more special as we’ve spent a lot of time together many years ago, and in my mind, a new Korpiklaani release can’t possibly be bad. Luckily, one is very close, as Rankarumpu will be released on April 5th through Nuclear Blast.
In more recent history, the band has oscillated quite wildly. From the 2018 release, Kulkija, which was widely considered not great and had an odd, somewhat melancholic, overarching sound that I can only describe as farmy, except for a few tracks that picked up the tempo and involved a bit more of that typical Finnish humppa, to 2021’s Jylhä, which, I still insist, is the band’s best album – at least musically. That is, however, not the same as being the most palatable or having the most drinking songs you can scream along to. Jylhä therefore showed maturity and renewed my faith in the Finns’ ability to write genuinely good music.
Rankarumpu is the band’s 12th full-length album already and the opening song, “Kotomaa,” is certainly promising, immediately jumping into a catchy chorus, coupled with a very tasteful amount of playful folky rhythms coming from the accordion and the violin. The song talks about the beautiful Finnish landscape and this is definitely a pretty classic Korpiklaani track, something that’s more akin to their middle years, perhaps. With “Tapa sen kun kerkeet,” however, we get a marching beginning and an anti-war message – not such a typical song from the Finns, but it does introduce a lot of speed and a bit of chaotic energy to this record; it’s almost punkish at times.
With “Aita” the album really starts to shine though. It’s fast, energetic, and has that special factor that makes the listener quickly remember a song and I can already see the entire crowd screaming the titular word as the band plays it live. The previous song was already a hint that Korpiklaani is returning to its roots a bit, but “Saunaan” absolutely confirms that. It was written by their new violin player, Olli Vänskä (ex-Turisas) who also shines on it and has overall brought a new life to the band with his playing.
Meanwhile, “Kalmisto” is one of those pieces that start a bit slower and then turn into an alluring chorus while it’s also a song that once again showcases how perfect of a vocalist Jonne Järvelä is for the band and this style of music with his raspy style of vocals. With songs like “No perkele,” it’s the guitars and the folky vibes that take the lead again though, and generally, the album seems well-balanced between the older, faster Korpiklaani sound as well as some influences from the band’s more recent albums such as the aforementioned Kulkija.
The second half of the album could be accused of having some filler material, as a few of the songs really don’t offer anything very new, but Oraakkelit, the last of the pre-released singles, is another highlight of the record. It really cements the idea that this is the Finns’ folkiest album yet – and the folky elements are incorporated really well as to where the sound comes across as very natural.
As I’m going through this album I’m noticing I do enjoy it, but I’m not particularly enthusiastic about it – which could actually be said about most of their albums, as every one of their releases brings some really fun and cool songs, but I’d argue none of them are incredible as a whole. Despite that, Rankarumpu is a bit of an homage to the band’s older material, yet with a more polished and folkier sound than the band has ever had before, and I’m excited to hear songs like “Aita” and “Saunaan” live this summer.
Line up:
Jonne Järvelä – vocals, acoustic guitar
Sami Perttula – accordion
Olli Vänskä – violin
Jarkko Aaltonen – bass
Kalle „Cane“ Savijärvi – guitar
Samuli Mikkonen – drums
https://korpiklaani.bfan.link/rankarumpu
https://korpiklaani.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.facebook.com/korpiklaani/