Return to Finland III - The Chameleons

Return to Finland III Chameleons

Velcra and Silentium change their colors - 

 
  This installment, the final one for this Return to Finland, I focus on 3 songs which are in my favorites, from 2 bands which have changed their style - or 'colors', like a chameleon would. It is a trend in the sub-genres for bands to not be so loyal to their own scene whereas they just completely abandon it. The downside is the major portion of their fanbase tends to get alienated by such switches, the plus side would be if the band comes out with better material than the previous incarnation, and keeps their main fanbase but gains fans of the new genre as well. The most well known switch is Metallica's jump from true thrash metal to a more accessable mainstream metal sound.
   I was one of those fans lost in the fray from Metallica's switch. My dismay and disgust for the band is well known amongst my friends. After  ...And Justice  I just knew that the band was ready for a new direction. Then I was taken back by how mad they were about Not getting an Award. (The Grammy snub for a Heavy Metal release went to Jethro Tull) As a metal fan it showed to me how they saw themselves striving for a wider acceptance from a larger audience. Crying over not getting an award is so NOT METAL. Where was the Metallica I knew long ago? - the Metal Up Your Ass Metallica? Then came in Bob Rock to make them into a  weaker, softer, less edgy - but award acceptable,  band. They did gain a larger audience by far. I did buy the CD known as Metallica (a slap in the face to the fan base, self-title an albulm that sounds nothing like your entire discography) I took the CD to a CD-Exchange (they gave me $7.00 I think) the Same Day I bought it. The clerk asked me "What? Are you Crazy?" I said "No man- that's not Metallica. I think they were kidnapped in the Amazon. they recorded some other band - that's why there's no pictures on it".
  Plain and simple, I was pissed off. I would say "The Black Albulm" was actually first named "Sad, but True". This was the level of dismay I had for them. And each successive release they got lamer and weaker. It has taken quite a long time but there is some of the backlash regarding Metallica coming out. I just felt it since day one. I also tossed one of the CDs from the double set "Garage, Inc (1998)" - after hearing "Turn the Page" on the radio - from my car right out the window onto the causeway! Yeah, 7 years later and still pissed off.
  So now that brings me to Velcra. I have already included several links here in my listings of this Finnish crossover band. (see previous postings: Finland, Starting Point II and Attack of Velcra) They originally started out as a quite aggressive metal/industrial band with some rap elements and other influences. There was some hints though, that their electronic side would become more emphasized. With the release of Hadal (2007), they became a mostly electronic band. Its a stark jump from what I had totally fallen in love with only a year before... But that wouldnt stop me from giving it a good listen. I found 2 outstanding tracks to share here. Most of Hadal is atmospheric, almost etheral. The electronic parts show at times a wide array of experimentation. But you have to give it up to these Fins - They are a talented bunch. Unfortunately, they have not recorded anything since and it appears Hadal might have been Velcra's swan song. I hope not, I certainly hope they continue to work together.
  Another band from Finland, Silentium also shares this posting, having changed from their very heavy, experimental Gothic Metal beginnings with one of my very favorite tracks from their totally Symphonic Metal release, Amortean (2009). You can look back at a few of my previous postings (FFM, Return to Finland I). I give them very high praise. I suppose I am not so jaded from my Dismay of Metallica that I can't appreciate when an artist changes its colors like a chameleon does. I guess as long as it doesnt totally suck.



Velcra - New Recruit (Industrial / Electronica, Finland 2007)
  This song from Velcras' mostly ambient-electronica release has the dynamics I tend to like in my collection. Being a metalhead with goth tendencies leads me to add industrial and electronica into my eclectic taste. Which, includes the obvious bands like Ministry, NIN, Prodigy, Frontline Assembly, Front242, Nitzer Ebb & AndOne. This song does not quite fit that group but somehow it gives me just enough metal sounds, just enough punchy dance beats, a great memorable melody (something Velcra is very good at) and another awesome performance by singer Jessi Fray as she slips between soft melodies, sweet whispers and quasi-rap. I like the add-on feeling of each section, each verse and chorus has its own bells and whistles. Interestingly, the barely audible chorus "we want you, we want you as a new recruit" fits the chameleon mentality. How is it possible I can fall in love with such an array of sounds? The answer out there, is blowing me away.


Velcra - We Must Start Again (Industrial / Electronica, Finland 2007)
  One of my very favorite songs out of my entire listings, We Must Start Again does something that very rarely any song from any genre - not even Progressive Metal does. It actually changes colors. Its like you can see the colors go from white wispy clouds to clear blue mists and the darkest of seas as a story is begun to be told. Building on each section, this song climbs such beautiful heights, you might totally miss the songs' intention, one telling of a massive destruction from mother nature. A story of rebuilding. Which parallels the songs' actual structure. It simply keeps building. It- within itself- starts again, as titled, a few times. The vocals here are perfect. The sub chorus is a sheer delight. "your fingertips are cold and ticklish/ Your kisses on my neck- like little fish". I worry though about the Locusts arriving and apparently they arrive with a tremendous force. The final section is a delicously heavy pounding riff switching off into a double-stop syncopated, heart-accelerating beat as the bells, the keyboard hits all sit between. Truly Glorious. If you are going to change your colors, do it with glory such as this.


Silentium - Cradle of the Nameless (Symphonic Metal, Finland 2009)
  Yes I have included postings from Silentium here in my listings already, but from their gothic metal days.as of 2010, Amortean is their most recent release and its a big change from them. The gloomy, dreadful doom sounds are gone. The solo cello and lone piano moments have been switched with full orchestration. The male vocals switched to full choirs. But luckily for us, stand-out singer Riina Rinkinen is still on board and in this song, though the singing is sparse, it is great. This epic song could be featured as background music for just about any fantasy-adventure styled movie. Notice though in their back catalog, that was what they were all about. Ambiance and atmosphere. It still translates here. Though I must admit it does not break any new ground. It does reflect to influences of Nightwish and others (they ARE from Finland after all). What I enjoy about this song is how it changes, like a chameleon and the other 2 songs above it. From this perspective, the song sounds like a massive undertaking and you feel like you are going with them, the angels singing, forests enchanted, hills of green, treacherous terrain, rain, sword fights. Its all there, just close your eyes. Just dont forget at any moment how spectacular her vocals are. Her tone is soft and clear. When needed, she sings well above the heavy parts. The middle section breaks down and rebuilds. The ending, fierce and deliberate. There are other great songs, all in differing styles to offer on this CD but for me this song goes for total victory and accomplishes it.
  Perhaps Silentium will join the list of bands to successfully change their colors and continue to grow as artists. They have changed more than once. Whereas Velcra I am afraid are not continuing on. I can only do as I would anyhow, and tell others about these little known bands. And if I was lucky enough to have one of their CDs I would promise not to toss them out of a car at high velocity onto the causeway as I drive my way out to south beach.

Next Posting: Obvious? Omissions & The Greatest Moment in the History of Symphonic Metal. You wouldnt want to miss it. Thankfully with youtube, we will feel as if we were there.

Return to Finland Part II - The Future of Metal....

Return to Finland II - The Future of Metal

Stam1na, Amorphis make Progress

 
 It was one of those moments I had only one reaction, to throw the metal sign up and say "hell yeah!". This was the first time I heard Stam1na. Roaming through my list of links of bands from Finland I had brought up a few insanely metal- but very new sounding songs from the band. Part Thrash, part Progressive, add in some Melodic Metal and Stam1na represents to me a new breed.
   A new breed of bands which bring in their own style, their own stamp, and still manage to show their direct influences. The second and third level to the new breed is insanely talented band members who are diverse and excellent songwriters. Third level is that they all can sing, scream and growl as well as anyone else.
   Stam1na sings in their native language, Finnish and it shouldn't stop any foreign metal-head from listening since their songs are hook-laden, melodically innovative, and instantly memorable. Since I've listened and researched a lot regarding this band I learned that the lyrics are exceptionally poetic and full of allegory, twists and innuendo. The band also has had exceptionally high accolades from their very first debut CD. Quickly being called "The Future of Metal", a label they didn't encourage nor take to 100%. I feel that they are more like the future, the past and present all rolled into one. Which makes them ultimately timely..
 Since the releases of Stam1na and Raja, which I am featuring here, the band has released a 2009 CD called Viimeinen Atlantis. And as with any band that seems to have a visionary approach, they always evolve, as they showcase an even more progressive sound, a bit less aggressive in approach and is a futuristic concept albulm.

  A return to Finland can't be complete if I don't take the time to mention one of my very favorite bands from Finland, and that would be Amorphis. Amorphis started out in 1992 as a full Doom-Thrash /Death Metal unit in their landmark debut The Karelian Isthmus. Their fierce attack and deep growls were right in line for me with Sepultura's Beneath The Remains and Arise. But when Amorphis slowed things down and re-invented their approach, it got them recognition in the world of metal fandom. They struck a nerve in the world of metal with their ground shattering Tales From The Thousand Lakes. It was a doomy, melodic-death affair with Moog keyboards playing folk-inspired melodies. Add to the fact that the songs are based on old Finnish Folk tales (The Kalevala) and it becomes an instant classic. I really enjoyed this CD, being in my top 10 in my rotation for countless years.
  Amorphis, as an innovative band always does, seemed to re-invent itself which each release. Less doom, less death metal growls, more instrumentation, and melodic passages. I found their latter releases fell short off the mark and I had basically stopped listening to them as members changed. But, in 2009 I was happy to see the band make a big return...
   I mentioned before that the most popular bands I will showcase in my listings are probably The Gathering and Apocalyptica. Amorphis would equate that into a 3-way tie as only most die-heard metal fans know of them. Their 2009 release of Skyforger may change that though. The band may have reached their true apex, with long songs that show all their influences, their style, and deep melodic sense. The music is multi-layered, and is definitely Progressive. The growls are still there, used sparingly. There is piano and even flute. The folk stories continue and Amorphis, for a second time, becomes The Future of Metal.    


Stam1na- Muistipalapelit (Finland, Progressive Thrash 2008)  I must give credit to anyone who could make a word like Muistipalapelit work- in any song. Let alone a high-powered, full-force Thrash song. You get sucked in by the chorus right off the bat and then hit in the mouth when the song kicks in. The top-notch recording and production of this song allows the energy to pop right out of the speakers in a technical onslaught. And just as you feel you can't take any more the song flips and becomes melodic. Its classic bait-and-switch which we see in bands like Slipknot but here the band shows references to a slew of bands. I hear System of a Down, Metallica, Pantera, Anthrax and more peeking through. The song is about putting together the missing parts of memory after a night of drinking. The song shows progressive influences through the heavy grinding solo and then the anthem-like chant melody at the exit. Putting the pieces together in this one is easy. It kicks some serious ass. From their highly acclaimed 3rd release, Raja. Also a note: the crowd seems a little pumped up in the concert footage. Its not like that in the States anymore. I so need to move to Finland.


Stam1na- Kadonneet Kolme Sanaa (Finland, Progressive Thrash 2005) 
  Another one from Stam1na (the 1 is in there to make it easy to search the name), but from their debut CD. At the time they were already being considered "the band of the future" and this might be their most popular song and its easy to see why. The intensity, the attack and the melody are all on display along with their intense musicianship. It hits right off at full force then drops into a groove for the lyrics as winding melodies are held on the guitars. The whole song and its progression feels like a swelling and rebuilding. The fully strummed 6string chords during the chorus are a pleasure to listen to and then there's the solo. Like the best bands, the exit feels different, a little slower but more intense. This is so metal and so new sounding, yet it has a familiarity.
 The 2009 release Viimeinen Atlantis is a heavier listen and has great lyrical content... It will be a pleasure to learn Finnish ala lessons from Stam1na. 


Amorphis- Skyforger (Finland, Progressive Metal 2009)  A Return from Amorphis... As they have continued to evolve their sound and morph into again, a band of the future, they release their best work since 1992's Tales from The Thousand Lakes. Here I have included 2 links to showcase the breadth of their vision and sounds. The first one is the title track from Skyforger. Like the whole albulm, it is quite epic with a wide range of sounds and rhythms, like the old days but with excellent vocals. The ending to this song has a brilliant mix of higher backing vocals with the death metal growl, all adding to the overall feel of an epic telling of an epic tale...


Amorphis- Sampo (Finland, Progressive Metal 2009) Another from Skyforger, I think this one shows how different their direction has gone and in comparison to the one above, a decent example of their writing skills. The beautiful piano intro is mimicked by the guitars before the first section starts in. The progressive style goes into a melodic passage then a full stop for lyrics before a great guitar solo. The metal growls follow this section with full instrumentation then a powerful keyboard solo. Amorphis at this point is flexing their muscle. The last chorus reminds you how great the melody was. I urge you to listen through to it a few times to really allow time for it sink in.
 Yes though the band had members change and their style is always changing, yet it still feels like Amorphis, and I feel a few years from now this CD will be viewed as a big influence on The Future of Metal.

Next update: A Return to Finland concludes with: The Chameleons- Velcra and Silentium.