Turisas - The Varangian Way

[JayKeeley]

I think I remember Battle Metal being really bad....but damned if I do, this new one is really frickin' good.

I can only imagine they'd be really good live -- in a Mael Mordha kinda way -- with this song material. Most of it is clean 'pagan' vocals with strong melody. Some of it is bordering on power metal truth be known, but where bands like FALCONER* fail, Turisas seem to pass with flying colours.

Very EPIC & movie soundtrack like, listen to "To Holmgard..." on their myspace. Beer metal!


*When Mithotyn decided to stop playing viking black metal, they should have become more like Turisas me thinks.

 

[Demilich]

Heard samples of each song off of this on their website along with video interviews with the songwriter explaining the story. Sounded like a cool concept as well as some strong music

Should buy...

 

[Krigloch the Furious]

battle metal being really bad? *slaps you*
I really havent listened enough, but I think I like battle metal more
and perfect band for HCIII

 

[JayKeeley]

battle metal being really bad? *slaps you*

yeah, I said "I think" only because I may be thinking of something else with a very similar cover. Hmm.

Either way, yeah, these guys would rule at HC. I hear they played Wacken this year and got a really good response.

 

[Doom]

They are fantastic live, as long as you don't take yourself too seriously. I think they're ok on record, this one is much better than Battle Metal (the title track being head and shoulders above everything else on that one), but yeah, great live.

Seeing them next Saturday actually.

 

[J.]

Battle Metal is better. THe Ensiferum debut wins it all, though.

 

[lurch70]

Either way, yeah, these guys would rule at HC. I hear they played Wacken this year and got a really good response.

... am I the only one who sees the irony in this statement

 

[General Zod]

... am I the only one who sees the irony in this statement

On the surface, yes. But the you had to see the atmosphere and intensity on the W.E.T. Stage when they played. They would go over huge at HC.

Zod

 

[JayKeeley]

not following the Wacken comment..... someone explain

@ J - I wouldn't compare these guys to Ensiferum. They are much more traditional metal and mid-paced. Ensiferum is almost all death vocals and the new stuff is just blasting. Not epic whatsoever, whereas parts of the new Turisas could be in a movie soundtrack.

Actually, since you liked the Sear Bliss so much Lurch, you should check out Turisas.

 

[J.]

i see what you're saying, but all that polished finnish epic jollyfolk sounds the same after a while

 

[skyrefuge]

I think I remember Battle Metal being really bad....but damned if I do, this new one is really frickin' good.

Yeah, you must be thinking of something else. I've only listened to 'The Varangian Way' twice, and it's good, but I'm still deciding if I need to get it, since overall it's pretty much the same idea as 'Battle Metal'.

all that polished finnish epic jollyfolk sounds the same after a while

I don't even know why I downloaded 'Battle Metal' in the first place, because I basically agreed with this statement, and figured Turisas would just be more of the same. And, I guess it is, but there's just something surprisingly good about the songwriting.

Neil

 

[J.]

Battle Metal had some great songs. Tracks 6-8 were fantastic romps. Everything else was good to bland

 

[Matt]

Battle Metal made me laugh...this one didn't (not as much, anyway)

 

[JayKeeley]

I don't even know why I downloaded 'Battle Metal' in the first place, because I basically agreed with this statement, and figured Turisas would just be more of the same. And, I guess it is, but there's just something surprisingly good about the songwriting.

I agree. I don't hear Ensiferum / Wintersun / Children of Bodom style of play on Turisas at all. It's like they're playing traditional heavy metal with strong elements of early Thyrfing and Falconer. Again, this is what Mithotyn should have become.