Search - Moonsorrow :: Verisakeet

70 minutes of perfection!

A Kat Person | Bay Area | 10/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK people let's get this straight: Moonsorrow is not pure folk metal. Moonsorrow is not pure black metal. It is a perfect combination of both! If you are a black metal purist, if you think mouth harps and other strange instruments don't belong in metal, then Moonsorrow is not for you. If you only like 'lighter' metal and can't stand black metal screeching, then Moonsorrow is not for you. In fact, if you don't enjoy the type of metal this is, a FUSION of black and folk, then what are you doing reviewing a band of this genre?



For those who are open-minded and enjoy many different types of metal (and can stand harsh vocals) then I totally recommend this! For those who are already familiar with Moonsorrow and like their previous albums - get this, it is just as good! (and NICE-n-LONG!)



For those who are not familiar with Moonsorrow - give this a try if you enjoy bands like Finntroll, Ensiferum, Asmegin, Windir... (but you should definately enjoy mouth harps and black metal screeching, for there is plenty of both!)"

Making quorthon proud!

Lord Chimp | Monkey World | 03/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Moonsorrow is the logical extension of Bathory's grand pioneering works of "Viking metal", and they take it beyond epic and beyond awesome. Reaching from their chosen idiom into a vast well of resources, from traditional Finnish folk themes to a broad range of instruments, Moonsorrow achieves its first truly great album with _Verisakeet_, their fourth album. It clocks in with only five songs totaling about 71 minutes, and one of those songs is little more than a brief fireside acoustic diddy. Meaning the rest of the album is comprised of awesomely epic tracks nearly 15 minutes long on average that sweep the gamut of arrangement, tempo, and melodic flavor. Moonsorrow takes its time navigating meticulously orchestrated themes, which recur on instruments as diverse as the expected electric guitars as well as things like acoustic guitars, mouth harp, recorder, accordion, tin whistle, fiddle, jouhikko, and kantele, developed in turn by alternating fiery electric Viking death marches, dramatic faux-orchestral arrangements, and mood-setting acoustic quietude. Vocal chorales dominate when not split up by bloody screaming. These epic tracks will have you obsessed from majestic overtures to glorious, fields-aflame banner-waving finales, and all the serene nature sounds nicely speckled in between. HIGHly recommended."

Amazing Epic Finnish Vinking Metal You Should Own

David P. Johnson | Goleta, CA, USA | 04/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album, from start to finish is an absolute masterpiece. For those who are into Wintersun, Windir, and others, should get this. This album, for the most part, would fit in to the folk metal/viking metal genre, though it is viking black metal in its essence with bits of folk thrown in for atmospheric effect. I say that it is folk metal mainly due to the mid paced tempos and interludes of acordeon, mouth harp, flute, fiddle, and acoustic guitars. Along with these elements are sounds of serene forests, birds chirping, wind blowing, and swords clashing in viking battle amidst burning fires. These elements are what stand out in my mind and set this album apart from the rest of the viking metal genre. There is truly an atmosphere throughout the entire album; it changes from intense, to epic, to melodramatic, to peaceful, and metamorphoses from one to the other and back throughout.



There are 5 songs in about 70 minutes, but you would not realize this due to the variation and changes in each song. This album NEVER gets boring, or leaves me wanting to skip to the next track. I am simply absorbed from start to finish. There are your basic parts of metal, viking metal, and black metal in each song structure and guitar, bass, and drums, and as always the vocals are harsh, growled, screamed, and also the occasional clean vox is added to heighten the epic intenseness of each song. The musicianship is top notch, and the music itself is thoughtfully composed and amazingly worked over to perfection. I have heard many viking metal bands, but never have I come across a band such as Moonsorrow. This album continues to amaze me and I notice new elements I hadn't before with each listen. Do yourself a favor and get this album. You will not be dissapointed."