Heavily influenced by Bathory and other Viking metal bands, Moonsorrow is another epic band to come from Suomi. They are quite unique and I have never heard another band quite like them. For one, they sing in their native tongue; a detail that should not go unnoticed. Moonsorrow is helping to preserve the tradition of their culture and language by recording this way. They glorify what it means to be from Finland and that should be respected in this day and age of globalization. Just because everyone else records in English should not be a reason to do so. Their melodies sound folkish and traditional sounding. Their use of accordions and harps keep the traditions of old alive. Yes, Moonsorrow is unique and the album Suden Uni (A Wolf’s Dream, translations of their lyrics are available on their official site) is a work of masterful proportions.

Mirroring few bands in their music, it is a virtual sojourn through traditional Finnish harmonies and tunes that most do not hear in their lives. The accordion that pervades the music is mesmerizing at times and carries the soul of the sound. Few others recently have been using this magnificent instrument save Rhapsody and occasionally Blind Guardian. Just listen to “Köyliönjärven Jäällä (Pakanavedet II)” or “Kuin Ikuinen” and you will see what I mean. The instrument just guides the music into new realms that are virtually unexplored in metal. When I first heard this music, I was strangely uplifted. These almost hymnal accordion leads were truly entrancing. The brilliance of this part of the music is not duplicated to the same level by any other band today.

The guitar work is quite good as well. Playing many of the same melodies, it functions well as a lead, support or in duet with the accordion. There are not too many effects thrown on it and the sound is exactly what it should be. Unlike many other epic albums, Moonsorrow has excellent bass lines as well. They fully support and enrich the sonic landscape that is being created. The bass is well mixed and is not too hidden or too prominent. Kudos to the sound engineer. The drumming is fitting as well. It is not super technical but it gets the job done, especially the pounding double bass that kills all in its path. The vocals are the standard faire for this style of music. Not quite death but more in the vein of growling. The epic choruses are something to write home about though. They are grandiose and rival those that Luca Turilli has put together. “Pakanajuhla” soars with the voices of many men in unison. This is a trick that Finnish bands pull off quite well as evidenced by Moonsorrow, Kalmah, and to a lesser extent, some of the power metal bands.

“1065 Aika” is an eleven-minute epic that exemplifies all that Moonsorrow is capable of. From the hammering of the double bass to the drone of the keyboards and guitars, it has got it all. The clean vocals here are especially poignant. “Ukkosenjumalan Poika” opens the album with all the force you want and need from a Viking styled band. After a brief introduction, the accordion gets down to business with the folkish tunes being played loud and proud. Score one for Suomi here. This band knew exactly how they wanted to sound on this album and they made it well. Despite being their first album, they did an awesome job. Their subsequent albums are a testament to how this band could mature. Keep watching these guys because who knows what cool stuff they will come up with next.