Jylhä Explained

Jylhä
Type:studio
Artist:Korpiklaani
Cover:Jylha-Korpiklaani Album Cover.jpg
Released:5 February 2021
Studio:Sound Supreme Studios at Hämeenlinna, Finland
JonneMusic at Lahti
Genre:Folk metal
Length:60:35
Language:Finnish
Label:Nuclear Blast
Producer:Janne Saksa
Prev Title:Kulkija
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Rankarumpu
Next Year:2024

Jylhä (roughly translated as "majestic", or "wild and rugged in a beautiful way")[1] is the eleventh studio album by Finnish folk metal band Korpiklaani, released on 5 February 2021. It is the band's first album with new drummer Samuli Mikkonen.

Although the album is considered folk metal, it saw the band incorporating sounds like thrash metal, power metal and even reggae and ska.[2] Lyrically, the album features themes like folklore, nature, celebration and three murder stories, including the Lake Bodom murders.[3]

In an interview with Slovak webzine Metalmania-Magazín, guitarist Kalle Savijärvi stated: "Mood was pretty much to the heavier direction as one of the first songs written was Niemi you mentioned. Samuli Mikkonen, our new drummer, brought some heaviness with his spectacular drumming."[4]

Reception

Jylhä received positive reviews from critics, who praised its lyrics and the band's musicianship. Roshan Machayya from Metal Wani wrote "Korpiklaani’s newest offering ‘Jylhä’ is a fun, trippy, and artistically well-rounded album. The arrangements, composition, and performance of the music on the album is a balanced representation of metal and ethnic folk music in the band’s experiences without a semblance of conflict". While Owen Edmonds from All About the Rock argued "I was surprised how much I enjoyed listening to an entire albums worth of music. To me, Korpiklaani are the perfect festival band. If you’ve ever been to Donnington or Bloodstock then you know those lazy Saturday afternoons when you’re on your 10th warm cider and having downed a foot long hot dog or one of those manky massive yorkshire puddings and you want to kick back".

Ralka Skjerseth of Metalriot.com wrote that "Jylhä has a magnificent resonance packed in a form of thirteen tracks..."[5]

In a more positive to mixed review, José Cruz from Metal Hammer Portugal wrote "Jylhä is an album that has certainly improved over its predecessor, but has disappointed in many other ways. They earned points for trying something new, regardless of whether they work".

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Korpiklaani – Jylhä . . English . 20 October 2020 . 4 February 2021.
  2. Web site: Korpiklaani "Jylhä" . José . Cruz . Metal Hammer Portugal . 1 February 2021 . 4 February 2021.
  3. Web site: Korpiklaani anuncia o novo álbum 'Jylhä' e lança o single 'Leväluhta' . Nuclear . Blast . Headbangers News BR . 26 October 2020 . 4 February 2021.
  4. Web site: Karľa. Tomáš. 4 January 2022. Cane (Korpiklaani) – "After the Kulkija album we wanted to do something different…". Metalmania-Magazín.
  5. Web site: Album Review: Korpiklaani – "Jylhä" – Metal Riot. 2021-02-07. en-US.