There was something kitschy cool about Finntroll and their ridiculous "Jaktens Tid". Released in 2001, this bizarre combination of blackish metal and Finnish polka, sung in Finnsvënska, was so far out and different that it became somewhat of an underground classic. The musicianship is amazingly tight, linking layers of memorable melodies underneath all that silly strut and humpaa fire.
For an album that seems to be a bit of a ridiculous experiment that should go haywire, it does not. Finntroll truly pulled it together, and that's why it is now being re-released in hopes of finding an even larger audience. People that scoffed at black metal took to the band for their clever mixing and melding abilities and it was even tagged as being a new subgenre called "Troll Metal" (although we have yet to see anyone else step up to the plate with the kind of serious mind as Finntroll).

Kicking off with the instrumental "Krig", it's all about storming down the churches and the trolls burning it all down to the cindery ground in a hue of crimson chaos. It's a battle song, of fire and blood and majestic violence. "Födosagan " clashes keyboards, accordions and death metal growls. An acoustic section provides a breather and a remarkable string bending workout. 
 
"Jaktens Tid" is an addictive track that has interesting roots in its backing vocals. These are done in the Lappland traditional tribal saami style, and are wickedly quick, in a fast paced chant. It sets off a strange, very foriegn and fantasy feeling atmosphere. Like trolls skulking around dark forests and performing some weird tribal rites. Which is a close approximation as the title translates into something roughly like "Time of the Hunt/The Age of the Hunt" and depicts a dark hearted hunt lead by the blood thirsty trolls. Killing seems to be their business, and business appears to be good.
 
"Aldhissla" features folkish drums and grinding guitars, putting a bit of illumination on the tale of a lonely troll who lives in solitude, reveling in the evil that spreads through like abominations staining his soul. The wildly flailing "Slaget Vid Blodsälv" is like a song set to the pace of the speed of light. Hyper accordions take to the skies with crunch heavy guitars, clashing and battling in an insane meshing of musical worlds.
 
"Tomhet Och Tystnad Härska" winds down into silliness, as a Finnish drinking song cranked up into folk style and topped off with drunken "troll" vocal slurring. One too many at the Ye Olde Trolle Taverne eh? There's even a cover song, "Varg Timmen" (which means "The Hour of the Wolf" or some such) and was originally done by a folk-rock electronica Scandanavian outfit called Hedningardna. Of course Finntroll slams on the metal and works it into a polka laced frenzy.

Black and viking metal was never quite to be the same after Finntroll. There were plenty of bands that tried to copy their craziness but none truly quite succeeded on the same level as Finntroll. Their unique look at both black metal and traditional Finnish polka gives "Jaktens Tid" an unusual flavour and strange vibe. It's hard, heavy, and crushingly so, yet so off-the-wall that even non metal fans will find themselves blown away, even if its just from the sheer alieness of it all.
 
The black blight on Finntroll's soul is the lyrical material. Manowar celebrated glory to the brave, truth, honor and all of the things that inspire feelings of majestic goodwill and brotherhood. Finntroll on the other hand, sing as if they are trolls out to crush the Christians by any means necessary. The difference? One is about a named (or unnamed) opposition, perhaps even classified as "evil", the other is giving glory to persecuting a religion. This shift of perspective is one that has turned some off of the album, although if Swedish is not one of your languages and you are listening for music purposes alone, this will never become a hurdle to cross.

Ultimately it's an interesting and entertaining album, even when its getting bogged down by me-too songs from one too many polka parties. It dares to go where no other band had trudged before (or had even thought about), and thus in itself is a standout oddity. More importantly, the disc is a fun one, a hysterical exclamation point at parties and any event where the promise of excessive drinking is a given. Darker groweled fantasies for those dim lit taverns, indeed.

Written by Alanna
Thursday, August 21, 2008
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Ratings

Alanna: 7/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.

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Comment by gizmo (Member) - Friday, August 22, 2008

View Profile Comments: 140 Ratings: 4 Finntroll is indeed a great band, but i prefer their debut "Midnattens Widunder" from 1999 that album is truly a classic. This one not far behind and both albums are unique. The band has never been the same after Katla retired and Somnium died. The latest album from Finntroll don´t have the same quality as the 2 old ones, but they are still worth buying. I think the most close you can get to a band similar to Finntroll is Svartsot from Denmark and Turisas from Finland or Trollfest, but they miss the polka rythem. Posted by gizmo Friday, August 22, 2008

Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Saturday, August 23, 2008

View Profile Comments: 245 It's hard to keep your band's sound together after you lose BOTH of your founding members... one to health issues and another to death (Somnium fell off a bridge?!)... Their history post "Jaktens" is rather depressing, I knew of the member changes but not the reasons behind them. It makes me hear "Jaktens" in a whole new light. Posted by Alanna (Staff) Saturday, August 23, 2008

Comment by gizmo (Member) - Tuesday, August 26, 2008

View Profile Comments: 140 Ratings: 4 Yeah you are right it can be hard to replace 2 members. Yes he fell of a bridge in Helsinki if I am not mistaken. Anyway they are unique and one of Finland´s finest. I treasure all the albums but rarely listen to other than Midnattens Widunder or Jaktens tid. Maybe the EP Trollhammeren that promised well for the album Nattföd but the album could not live up to my expectations. Unfortunately Posted by gizmo Tuesday, August 26, 2008