Incoming Cirrhosis

Oh hey there little duckies, Alex here again to bring you "Bands Alex likes on ice in 3-D". We are still having some Bipolar-ass weather here; When I began this review, it was COLD AND WINDY AS FUUUUCK.

A POX ON THIS WEATHER

So i'm stuck inside....and you know what warms you right up?

Cocoa? No. A Snuggie? No. If you didn't answer booze you are wrong. Speaking of booze, This following band will forever make drinking fun. Korpiklaani is one of my personal favorite bands, and they drink....A LOT. Which is why this CD is a good idea for right now.

Today we will visit Korpiklaani's Sixth studio CD,Karkelo. A fun, cheerful, bouncy CD that encompasses so many positive moods that hint at "Hey man, go get some friends, and buy a buttload of Alcohol and party it up"

Not that i mean you should drink every time you feel a cool breeze. Just that after you hear today's album we might want to get a few bottles of something. Hell, "Karkelo" means frolic/party.

I think we are ready for this

While today had really shitty weather, this album just feels so upbeat, party-fillled, and just all around good humored. Like a cool happy drunk would make you feel, hugging everyone and bringing all of the good times; Karkelo could just be an album you pop in and drink booze to next to a fire or having a cool ass get together.

I will say this before i begin though. This review a sort of a pain in the ass; As much as i love Korpiklaani, the songs. Guys, The songs. Are in a Older Version of the modern Finnish dialect. Translations are gonna be approximate so sorry if i get them wrong guys.

pretty much how I was all night

The album begins with "Vodka"; the thundering plethora of bass drums, accordion, and the ever catchy chant "WODKA, WODKA, WODKA!" (they are Finnish, as in they can't really pronounce V). This song is just so groovy, so much to the point of wanting to get up and rain dance around something for the hell of it. Bar medley at its finest! Catchy as hell, check. Fun memorable song, check. bottle of Vodka, check! Hell it's even in English! Let's begin this drunken tirade!

preferably doing some of this

Second track "Erämaan Ärjyt" (close to Men of the Wild) Man claims to party all day in the sauna and drinks, fools around with girls and basically lives the dream; Lives in the forest and doesn't afraid of anything.

The next songs "Isku Pitkästä Ilosta"(Rising High, Falling Down) and "Mettänpeiton Valtiaalle"(Hidden by the Spirit of the Forest) have to do with nature. "Isku" is sort of like a story of a world war (within nature), Ragnarok comes to mind. "Mettänpeiton" is a ballad of sorts to Forest Deities."Mettänpeiton" is a Finnish folklore sort of a Rip Van Winkle, you lose yourself at the hand of mischievous gods. Starting as a slow song slowly gaining momentum with fiddles and accordions galore!

Fifth Track is a cover, "Juodaan Viina"(Let's Drink) originally by Hector. A sad song about two men slowly dwelling deeper and deeper into alcoholism, talking about life. The original song is more somber, Korpiklaani's cover gives it a sort of happy twist to it; the fast pace works so well with the serious subject matter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quLFDSzP0LI (Here is the original)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyCVaH77lLc (Korpiklaani's version)

The rest of the CD include many different folk tales, including finding treasure, a blacksmith who makes himself an Iron/Gold Woman, and drinking some more.

Totally Rad

The last track on this inebriated journey is "Komelo" (Hangover) title which is just perfect. A mellow instrumental with Yoik singing, is a really good way to finish up this 13 song ensemble.

While I LOVE this band/CD, there are some things I will nitpick about it. Some of the songs seem a little too rushed (in a bad way) But even then its are barley noticeable. The rest of the time you are too busy listening to the delicious, warm, happy orchestra that is "Karkelo".

While "Korpiklaani" is a Finnish band, they have a lot of success here in the states. So if you want to pick up your own copy of "Karkelo" you could probably find it at any music store for a reasonable price....Now here is the Official video for "Vodka" for you enjoyment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7kJRGPgvRQ

Welp its raining.....That means I sense another shitty installment of "Bands that Alex likes on ice in 3-D". Until next time, Party on Little Duckies

Bringing Saxon Back

These last couple of days have been insanely cold in El Paso...And that could mean one of two things;

1.) We listen to Immortal

Yeaaaaaaaaaaah

or

2.) Or we listen toVIKING METAL

Metal as FUCK

As much as I love Abbath and company, I can't help but give my own shitty opinion on an amazing album. Alex here with a new installment of "Bands that Alex likes on ice in 3-D", offering you one of the best eargasms out there today; Moonsorrow's 2001 "Voimasta Ja Kunniasta" (Strength and Honor)

This album has no real story, nor is it a concept album. Its just "FUCK YEAH WARRIORS" all over. Moonsorrow gets to mix Viking/and Folk metal all into an orgy of sound that just brings you right in. Being from Finland I bet they just go outside and get inspired

Inspiration

The album begins with a soothing instrumental composed of a medley of keyboards/piano "Tyven" (Calm), a fitting introduction to something that is about to make you grow a beard and wield a battle ax. "Tyven" is then quickly transmitted towards another song "Sankarihauta"(Soldier's Grave) Story; A village in ruins, a man sees destruction and his family killed, anger so awesome beyond the comprehension of mortal man wells inside him.

(Gonna make an educated guess, but his is probably the last thing he saw)

He finds the army, tells them to "COME AT ME BRO" and proceeds to kill all but a few so they can tell the tale...Which is probably the best story of revenge ever told. The music itself is worthy of this song, the woeful/angry sounding vocals just fit in so well you can just feel the rage well up inside you. This is the kind of shit you want playing during times of intensity.....And it is just the beginning.

Track number Three is "Kylän Päässä" (A Village Away) This song....Guys, this song. "Kylän Päässä" tells the story of two foolish brothers who just have fallen prey to the lust of war and pride, not understanding the art that comes with it; it is a duty, not fun. The intensity in this song comes from all over, this is like four different songs packed into one, blending together perfectly into what could only be product of Valhalla itself ...... Your body was never ready.

Track number Four and Five are also in the list of positive things have to say, but it would make this post TL;DR more than it already is. Track Four "Hiidenpelto / Häpeän Hiljaiset Vedet"(Devil's Feild/Silent Waters of Infamy) and Track Five "Aurinko ja Kuu"(The Sun and The Moon ...Pssst Listen to them

As much as it pains me to say this word....All of these songs are. Epic...And they are, if epic wasn't so overused for stupid bullshit, if you looked for epic on the dictionary, one would find Moonsorrow as the definition.

The last song in the album "Sankaritarina"(The Story of a Hero) Is a beautiful, melancholy, 13 minute farewell. Saying goodbye to a good man and warrior is never easy, but in this world of battles it is an unavoidable risk, but knowing that one day we will all be reunited in the majestic halls of Valhalla makes it all the better. The last six minutes is what gets you the most the sorrow, sadness, the "Son I am proud" feeling that just oozes out of it. Then it fades out with a slowed down excerpt of "Tyven" and wind; feeling like the whole album was a lucid dream about to get lost in the breeze.

This journey is filled with war, treachery, loss, victory, folklore. Add Intense guitars, blasting drums, funky ass basslines,traditional folk instruments and why the fuck not some catchy as fuck keyboards and we get this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV0Ef1RHshg

(Which is my favorite song of all time)

And for only Six songs this ain't too shabby.

This record can be bought on the internet....Unless you have a cool ass record store near you that has a wide variety of music.

Until next time. See ya' Little Duckies

Svartsot - Maledictus Eris

Being the season of all that is morbid, gory, and just plain awful I bring a treat! This is Alex and here I present to you a new installment of “Bands that Alex Likes on Ice in 3-D, the Halloween Version” today’s review will be on one of my most favorite bands Svartsot and their most recent CD “Maledictus Eris” that (in Europe) was released on July 29th, 2011. The third CD from Danish folk/death metal band Svartsot is a concept album about the Bubonic Plague arriving in Denmark in the 14th century and the death it left in its path. While the lyrical content sounds a little depressing/gory, musically it has surpassed the already high expectations I had hoped for it. This album was different from the first two albums “Mulmets Viser “(Darkness Shows) and “Ravenes Saga” which just made you want to go out and pillage some villages and drink while you were at it. “Maledictus Eris” has evolved Svartsot’s sound into something less pillage-y but still being true to the spirit of wanting to headbang along to the songs.

“Maledictus Eris” begins with a gloomy short intro: “Staden…”(City…) and goes in to the next track “Gud giv det varer ved!” (God give the goods in!) with full force…..and the force won’t stop, which is a good thing because you won‘t want it to. Blast beats, amazing guitar work, traditional folk, and a singer who has an unmistakable voice acoustics that just work so well together throughout this album. One of the tracks that blends this so well together would be track number four “Farsoten kom” (Plagues Came). Granted all of them sound great and each song has a different folk instrument that sticks out more than the rest. The only song in this whole album that isn’t brutal/heavy would be track number ten “Spigrene” (Spikes) is a sorrowful ballad of sorts telling the story of watching everything from the sidelines and feeling fear: The weight on a mans soul after locking people in their homes leaving them to die for fear of the spread of the disease.

The final track though “..Og Landet ligger sa ode hen” (..And the land is so desolate) is one of the greatest ending songs lyrically and musically. Seeing how a big part of the population is dead and seeing that only strength can keep who is left alive. The people look forward to the future that looms ahead.

While typing up synopsis on each of the songs would make this review easier to understand not to mention longer than it should be you will just have to hear for yourself. Only problem is I highly doubt you can get this CD at any record stores and might have to order it online from Europe which makes me a sad pillager. Below are some youtube links for your viewing pleasure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqOhnIXKv1E -“Spigrene”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U06zqOfEbPU - “Gud giv det varer ved!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhLsjFaF5ko -“Farsoten kom”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tS0yeluQf8 - “..Og Landet ligger sa ode hen”