On the evening of Nov. 5th. 2013, METSATÖLL stormed onto the stage at the recently opened west side, venue: Stage 48 [on 48th St. between 11th & 12th Aves.] and planted their thoroughly developed, precise, organic, pagan-souled, ethno-metal [or “folk-metal,” as it is more commonly referred to] assault, then attendees; not relenting or leaving until their crunching and shouting was, well & truly, done and they had brought joy, force and pride to the masses on site.
This is no less than one could expect from a band of this achievement, skill and provenance. Some, nearly, 15 or 16 years of developed chemistry and playing together; melding, learning to rely on one another’s talents and idiosyncrasies have forged a unit that knows what they want to express, how best to do so and who possesses all the confidence, creativity, skill, power and energy to accomplish this – at every level and on any stage, in any venue on the planet.
It is true that on this bill (and, in fact, on this tour), METSATÖLL were only slotted at 3rd on the bill, – Likely owing somewhat to the fact that while their profile is unbelievably well-known in Estonia, it is only now beginning to rise worldwide and in the States (this is their second trip here, overall but, also, their second trip within 12 months!)- their given stage space and performance length often commensurates with headlining status (or, at least, “first on the undercard”).
This was far from undeserved nor did the opportunity get wasted! Metsatöll are a keen and deceptively soulful unit who fill their sonic creations with honesty, history, guts, pride, melody & (of course) the tight, punching, staccato rhythms & grooves that modern metal has become synonymous with (now often to its detriment). Truly though, if one is to use the term “folk-metal,” seriously and accept it as a viable sub-genre, METSATÖLL were, without question, the best (perhaps: “only” -??) representatives of said, onstage this night.
Blackguard [out of Montreal. 2nd on the bill], while tight and adept in execution, were more of a “nu-metal” act; modern, single-pummel, thrash w/the “screamo” vocals and nothing to do with “folk-metal,” per se (at least insofar as I could ascertain!) – save that, apparently they have a standing friendship with Finntroll [the evening’s, & tour’s, headliner. Which, it is satisfying to see, Finntroll showing loyalty and faith by taking out a band whom they appreciate, even if they don’t play in the same style or might be something their fans won’t, necessarily, appreciate or “flock to”. It’s laudable.
Sadly, however, Blackguard seems to have stopped at writing a single song and closely repeating some simulacra of selfsame pattern, unremittingly, to comprise their entire catalog of material.
Finntroll, themselves have never actually employed any antiquarian or “folk music”/tribal music instruments, relying on keyboards to fill-in or approximate any comparable sounds, if required and have, since their 2007 release, tended to write even a little more “mainstream,” focusing on keyboard riffs and upper-register guitar melodies and themes as their foci.
METSATÖLL retain and expand on this idea of mixing conventionally incongruent instruments and tonal collections [Those of ancient and “folk” or communal musical instruments mixing with various aspects of Heavy Metal and its various sub-genres and relatives.] and, when the mix is good (it was, actually, rather atrocious this particular night, unfortunately.) they truly meld these ideas and not naturally integral sounds, textures, feelings in an extremely effectively pleasing, intriguing, devastating, powerful and, indeed, soulful way! They have them balanced and working together – which is the best that one can ask for, I believe! But, they also find ways to speak TO and OF the Estonian soul, the Estonian people and our marathon, brutal, lost, trampled and often ignored by everyone, history.
They opened with “Küü”, which is a rocket-force, riff-chugging, tribal-rhythm, crowd-rocker from their last studio album: [2011’s] ULG. The band ran through 12 songs, in something like 50-60 minutes, which (in case you’re not aware), for a “third string”opener, is …basically, “unheard of”. Obviously the headliners here & their tourmates respect the depth, strength and professionalism of ‘TÖLL.
This extended slot was more than well-deserved and ecstatically received by the crowd. There was, actually, a fairly good-sized crowd in for the first opener (generally, unusual –unless) and it only grew throughout Metsatöll’s set! Nobody wanted to leave or ignore. The fists were pumping. The “metal fingers” were raised. The crowd was chanting, grunting, yowling and shouting along with Markus and Lauri. The band pulled them in, executed professionally and passionately and left the stage with the audience wanting more. The band did concentrate on newer material in the set, but this was no drawback as that material is as strong or stronger than any of its predecessors.
By the time the murky, yet incensed atmospherics and righteous fury and rage of the epic “Metsaviha” (one of the band’s oldest cuts, a bona fide classic to any Metsatöll fan.) closed out the night’s set, there was joy, fervor and satisfaction in essentially every bone in the house. Metsatöll had given the audience/fans new AND old!- a set that their bill-mates would have to fight to top, on that night! The band were great ambassadors for Estonia and for the feeling of Estonia as well as her extensive, blood-stained, proud history! They even dedicated “Saaremaa Vägimees” [The Saaremaa Strongman] to all of the Estonians in attendance at that show (of which there were quite a number – judging by the vocal exhortations released on site, in fact!).
The Finntroll tour is playing 32 dates in 35 days across the continental U.S. That is a pretty brutal schedule, actually! Only 3 days off in over a month!!?! Hopefully the great Metsatöll won’t get so worn-out that they put off a return trip, stateside (and, esp. to N.Y.C.), for long. Honestly, I could see this band headlining at “sub-theatre” and the slightly larger or similar-sized club venues around the boroughs their next time through!
Rooms like: The Bowery Ballroom, Music Hall Of Williamsburg, The Highline Ballroom, even the Mercury Lounge… (etc.) are all excellent sounding venues, with excellent sight-lines, which this band with a bit more promotion could come close to filling or even sell-out. I know that metal of any ilk or manner is not everyone’s style [Heck! That goes for any sort of sound!] or preference, but this band is a great time truly professional, quite technically gifted and if you read and understand their lyrics, they will inspire you! – as an Estonian!! – Not to mention, Metsatöll are fun on top of it all!! You owe it to yourself to give them a shot the next time they roll through the area!
Complete set-list for 11/5/13 set, by Metsatöll @ Stage 48 – N.Y.C.(With title translations by me.)
1) Küü – Serpent?? (I believe!)
2) Kivine Maa (Rocky Land)
3) Roju (Mongrel or: Cur)
4) Kui Meid Sõtta Sõrmitie (When We Were Fingered (Chosen) For War)
5) Sõjahunt (War Wolf)
6) Minu Kodu (My Home)
7) Äio (Äio {no translation}
8) Muhu Õud (The Dread Of/From Muhu)
9) Vaid Vaprust (Only Valiance (alternately: Only Bravery)
10) Saaremaa Vägimees (The Saaremaa Strong-man/The Strongman From Saaremaa)
11) Sajatus (Curse (alternately: Malediction)]
12) Metsaviha (The Rage Of The Forests (alternately -literal-: Forest Anger].
Tenno Andra
