Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Two years after their debut album “Shadowheart” (2008) with Century Media, Finnish fantasy metal band, Kivimetsän Druidi has released their second album “Betrayal, Justice, revenge” on 26 of April 2010.

Kivimetsän Druidi recorded the album between September and December 2009 at MadMix studio, in their home town Kouvola, Finland. In between of releasing their previous album and the new one, the band has been playing several gigs in different countries, mostly outside Finland.

Album starts with an intro track “Lament For The Fallen”. This humble, melancholic track does a brilliant job by capturing listeners’ attention. Makes you really want to know what is the story the band wants to tell you. Song grows in good pace with a fairly simple, but well working riff. Intro flows nicely to the next song “Aesis Lilim”, that’s packed with energy. Fantacy metal with folk elements and a hint of thrash, works together like a rock.

Third song “Seawitch and the Sorcerer” draws my attention to lead singer Leeni Maria. She really stands out as a professional singer and has improved from the bands previous album. In this track her singing is spot on and co-operates with the male voices really well.

After the next song “The Visitor” album calms down and goes back to bands folk metal roots in songs “Manalan Vartija” and “Tuoppein’nostelulaulu” . At the end of “Tuoppein’nostelulaulu” there’s almost like a new Intro for albums seveth song “Chant Of The Winged One” that works really well. I find my self being more interested in this album than I was. Drums on this song drag most of my attention as they go from flowing, smooth and easy sounding to tight more technical playing.

The very last song “Desolation: White Wolf” culminates the whole album. It has really well working guitar riffs, folk elements and dark even thrashy sounds. Almost like this song is a purposely made summery of the album. Beautiful song to finish the album. The outro leaves you thinking, leaves you wanting to hear it all over again.

At first when I got the album to my hand I though, “right, one of these” as this gendre isn’t normally my cup of tea but after listening few times I found my self nodding my head and actually getting really into the music. Over all feeling of this album is professional, well produced and solid piece of work. Album keeps it’s listener interested through out the album. On the other hand it has a slight feeling of being forced and could have done with less. Also as a big supporter of women in heavy metal scene I am pleasently surprised of Leeni Marias singing. With few more years under her belt, she will be in everyones lips. She clearly has the talent, but is holding back a little too much. Hopefully in Kivimetsän Druidis next album I hear more variability, courage and strongness in her singing and melodies.

Line Up :

Leeni Maria – Vocals, Joni – Growls and Guitar, Simo – Bass and Vocals, Rinksa – Lead Guitar, Antti – Keyboards and Vocals, Atte – Drums and Vocals .

Track list:

01.Lament For The Fallen
02. Aesis Lilim
03. Seawitch And The Sorcerer
04. The Visitor
05. Manalan Vartija
06. Tuoppein Nostelulaulu
07. Chant of the Winged One
08. Of Betrayal
09. Desolation: White Wolf

Over all rating: 7/10