Korpiklaani – ‘Live at Masters of Rock’ (2017)
Rating: 8.5/10
Release: 25 August 2017
Label: Nuclear Blast
This new work of the very famous folk metal Finnish band places together 2 great concerts from the ‘Masters of Rock Festival’. A Czech Republic annual event with excellent music and bands that are well known worldwide playing for 4 days for over 30 thousand metalheads.
Different folk bands such as Heidevolk, Elvenking, Trollfest, Ensiferum and Eluveitie have stepped on the very same scenario, and most recently Equilibrium in its last version along with bigger bands -speaking of worldwide recognition- like Sepultura, Kreator, Stratovarius, Helloween, among many others that make it a ‘must go’ festival.
This new release brings Korpiklaani’s last 2 from a total of 6 performances at the very same scenario. 2014 and 2016 concerts are now available on sale for you to hear or maybe remember with great and clear live sound in every minute starting with Tanhuvaara in the first disc to Beer, beer saying goodbye in the second disc. It’s a great show that the band provides with 38 tracks performing 8 songs in common for both concerts passing through great hits like ‘Rauta’, ‘Vodka’ and ‘Wooden pints’. Maybe more audience reactions and camera takes would improve this excellent material.
Despite being their first live DVD-BluRay/CD it has a clear sound with excellent quality. The audience can be heard just a little bit, feeling some of the spectator’s response to the folk-metal superstars. These responses are the very essence of live concerts, that’s why live performances give you good times but you remain with a lack of something. Notwithstanding, live performances gives you the opportunity to hear the pure sound of the group and embrace their talent and music assemble. By ear, you can feel just a pinch of the energy that the band emanates every time, and even, having that few amount, you can feel the music pumping through your veins and the need to jump and dance -almost like they do across the scenario- what is what folk metal does best. Once is needed, every instrument has its own time to shine and you can hear it as they intended. You need to take into account that 2016 concert has 2 fiddles and 2 accordions playing at the very same time making a more powerful sound and a memorable night concert. As always, singer Jonne Järvelä has a good connection with the audience -something that I’ve witnessed myself- unfortunately in this time it’s something that it isn’t noticed just listening, you need to see the band having a good time and being good at what they know how to do well, with the advantage of placing yourself in a comfortable place with drinks at reach.
Good work to have, however, not as good as being there.
Tracklist Disc 1 – 2016
- Intro (Tanhuvaara) 01:29
- A Man with a Plan 03:03
- Journey Man 02:23
- Pilli on pajusta tehty 02:44
- Erämaan ärjyt 03:03
- Lempo 05:09
- Sahti 03:33
- Ruumiinmultaa 03:47
- Vaarinpolkka 02:28
- Viima 03:31
- Metsämies 02:55
- Kultanainen 05:53
- Kipumylly 04:40
- Ämmänhauta 05:10
- Rauta 03:40
- Kylästä keväinen kehto 04:56
- Wooden Pints 03:41
- Vodka 02:55
- Beer Beer 06:37
Tracklist Disc 2 – 2014
- Intro (Tanhuvaara) 02:23
- Tuonelan tuvilla 03:31
- Ruumiinmultaa 03:34
- Metsämies 02:57
- Kantaiso 03:59
- Juodaan viinaa 03:04
- Petoeläimen kuola 03:22
- Sumussa hämärän aamun 06:31
- Vaarinpolkka 02:22
- Kultanainen 05:42
- Uniaika 04:31
- Louhen yhdeksäs poika 03:33
- Uni 03:33
- Vodka 02:43
- Ievan polkka 03:20
- Rauta 03:46
- Wooden Pints 03:34
- Pellonpekko 04:02
- Happy Little Boozer 05:34