With the influx of Finnish bands such as ...And Oceans and Finntroll into the somewhat stagnant waters of black metal, the creativity quotient has certainly been bumped up a notch or two. Both bands have been offering music that revisits the old concepts of the style and have reinvigorated them with skewed new influences and injections of creative touches that have been completely bypassed by more orthodox black metal bands. Finntroll's major contribution and identifying signature style is the carefully measured blend of classical backwashes, groove laden metal crunch and polka time signatures. In fact, this is a band that could easily ditch their bass player for a tuba section, lending proof that Bloom County's satirical band, Billy & the Boingers, were onto something with Opus and his brass instrument. At the very least, Finntroll could throw in a sousaphone.

Midnattens Widunder, the band's debut, is a blistering, yet entirely catchy and energetic romp through darkened pastures of dead flowers and babies. The band's "troll" metal influence is wisely countered with the aforementioned polka-ish rhythms. While the band is entirely capable of unleashing an entirely harsh and heavy conventional black metal attack, the other influences help make this record a rollicking good time. Too many other Scandanavian metal bands are far too concerned with the "No Fun" aspect of black metal and end up coming across as overtly bloated caricatures of themselves. Finntroll sounds like they're having an incredibly good time writing, making and playing their music and completely leave behind the more grim, posturing neighbors of their northern region. Midnattens Widunder is the black metal album you can recommend to friends who just can't take the glowering, grouchy curmudgeons who take themselves far too seriously for their own good. With the "oom-pah" moments, powerful black metal riffs and harsh vocals all working together to create a stunningly engaging sounds, Finntroll has unleashed one of the better debuts to come along in awhile.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 02/2001

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Continuing on in the vein of Finn-fun music displayed on their debut Midnattens Widunder, Finntroll's second album, Jaktens Tid is essentially more of the same. The album is perhaps a bit less polka oriented and more hyperkinetic and speed drenched, but regardless, Jaktens Tid is another great outing of some of the most fun hybrid extreme metal around. The only true complaint you will find from me is that the album is far too short and ends far too early for my liking. However, it's nice to know in this age of seventy-five minute CDs that some bands have the good sense to leave their audience longing for more rather than wearing them out after four epic tracks in a row.

While the waltzing and polka dance numbers are still present, much of the music tends to be more of a frantic speed variety. But unlike some band who blur and mesh together their fast parts, Finntroll remembers this thing called groove that incites the listener to move their body along with the music. There's a lot of sense in capturing your audience by enticing the body to take over. The hyper polka bits only further that. The intro and outro pieces show off a classical music sense while other tracks cultivate an epic feeling that reminds the listener one part of Wagner and one part of Bathory, who ironically are one part Wagner. Either way, the result is some largescale songs compacted into a brief album.

If these two initial releases from Finntroll are any indication, this band has proven they are one of the best new contenders in the cluttered field of hybrid black metal today. Both releases have provided me with much enjoyment and if you have any sense, you will do what it takes to find both of them.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 04/2001

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Released after the tragic death of guitarist Teemu Raimoranta, Visor Om Slutet is an unexpected diversion for Finntroll. The album was conceived as an acoustic experiment (in the words of the band) and finds Finntroll giving the ol' college try to acoustic and ambient based music. The half-hour EP alternates between familiar territory ("Försvinn Du Som Lyser" sounds like one of the band's traditional black folka -- that's folk and polka to you, pal -- romps, except performed with acoustic instruments) and nature-infused ambience. At times Finntroll sounds like they gathered around a campfire, drank a bit too much Finnish vodka and wrote an appropriate tune with demented muttering ("Madon Laulu" comes to mind). "Den Sista Runans Dans" is a somber folk-ish tune that almost sounds like sad reminiscing of a lost friend, although obviously I don't speak their language. I just report what I hear.

Taken as a tangent to the band's usual festive, fun-filled material, Visor Om Slutet is a good divergent release, allowing the band to explore some new territory. The band's talent is formidable and they tackle the new ideas with aplomb and vigor. A worthy addition to the band's catalogue.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 03/2008

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Released alongside Nattfödd, the Trollhammaren EP is a brief, but ripping affair that ranks right up with the best of Finntroll's output over the years. The band had previously released a moody, acoustic and darkwave-ish EP called Visor Om Slutet in 2003, so Trollhammaren is a good reminder that Finntroll is still a speedy, fun-filled heavy metal band with plenty of energy. The first two tracks both zip along with some sheer velocity to kick listeners in the pants. "Hemkomst" in particular is the type of song that, if played in your car, will result in speeding tickets. "Försvinn Du Som Lyser", which was done up in acoustic form on Visor Om Slutet, is given a full-on metal makeover for the EP. The final track, "Hel Vete", actually swings.

Without a doubt, Finntroll has the folka-metal field in the bag. Trollhammaren, while less than twenty minutes long, is a perfect example of the band hitting on all cylinders and tearing things up in the process. The EP was coupled with Nattfödd in some limited edition format, but no matter how you get this EP, you need to get ahold of it.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 03/2008

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It's ironic that extreme metal's most fun-loving, bouncy band of merry Finnish men has been through some rather unmerry events since their last studio effort, Jaktens Tid. Vocalist Katla came down with throat problems that forced his departure from the band. Then, worse, guitarist Teemu Raimoranta died in a fall. Yet, the band has persevered and despite all the unfortunate changes since their last album, has stayed their musical course with nary a deviation from what made Finntroll fun in the first place.

Granted, an album like Nattfödd makes it easy for someone lazy like myself. I can quickly write, "If you liked the first two Finntroll albums, you'll love Nattfödd. Go, buy, etc!" I should also point out that those who aren't so enamored with the good time folka and waltzing about music of Finntroll won't be necessarily swayed by Nattfödd. But that's their problem to deal with and surely it'll result in the need for expensive therapy in the far future. Perhaps they'll be lucky enough to live in a nation that actually provides health care for its citizens. Anyhow, back to Nattfödd. If nothing else, the band seems more pronounced in their approach. At times, I feel like they've incorporated a rendition of a movie's take on Russian folk music into their own. In other words, it's probably not terribly authentic, but good fun nonetheless. And unlike many lesser bands who attempt throwing in the folksy elements, Finntroll manages to make it ear bending and immensely catchy. The band doesn't seem quite as off kilter or careening towards insanity as they did on Midnattens Widunder but a firmly-in-control Finntroll is not to be feared either.

As I said before, if you're a fan of Finntroll already, this album will just enhance your impression of the band. They have figured out what works for their approach and are obviously quite content to stick with it. Since their songwriting is just as chewy as saltwater taffy, this is far from a bad thing.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 04/2004

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