Finnish Folk Metal Superstars Korpiklaani are set to release their new studio album “Kulkija” (“Wanderer”) on September 7th, 2018, via Nuclear Blast.
Today, the band have unveiled the second single, “Harmaja”, in the form of a thought-provoking music video.
Watch the clip, directed by Ville Lipiäinen (Nightwish, Beast In Black, Powerwolf), below.
Says Jonne: “"Harmaja" is an unusual Korpiklaani song with its slow tempo and emotional strength. The song is about longing and I managed to charge it with a great emotional atmosphere. When making the album we mostly used the first takes; we didn't get stuck in details when there was no particular need to.
I was surprised - although in a positive sense - that Nuclear Blast wanted to release "Harmaja" as a single and a video. Usually they prefer more uptempo, fun drinking songs. The new album "Kulkija" of course has that material too since being over an hour long it contains the entire scope of different emotions.
I bought a new classical guitar and started to re-acquaint myself with the 5-finger picking technique. I created a finger exercise that then formed the basis of the song. I sent a very basic version of the song to our lyricist Tuomas Keskimäki who, in the same evening, sent back the lyrics for 'Harmaja'. The text refers to "Sylvian Joululaulu", a well known poem about longing by Zachris Topelius. I sang the demo in my home studio immediately and that was it - the song felt good and strong right away and I knew that it was going to end up on the album.
The video was shot in the pool of the Maritime Safety Training Centre in Lohja. The water was so cold that even constant visits to the sauna couldn't stop the coldness from creeping into my bones. It was very difficult to remember the lyrics, keep my head above the surface of the water and sing – while at the same time trying to look like I wasn‘t freezing to death. All for art!
Lipiäinen knew exactly what was needed for the video and managed to create just the right atmosphere. Lipiäinen knew exactly what was needed for the video and managed to create just the right atmosphere. The shots change slowly, there is no rush with anything and the story stays just right above the surface until the more stormy ending”.
Pre-order “Kulkija” in various formats, here. Pre-order the album digitally to receive “Harmaja” and “Kotikonnut” instantly, here.
With 14 tracks and a total running time of over 71 minutes, “Kulkija” is the group's longest album to date. Working with producer Janne Saksa for the first time, the album was recorded at Petrax Studio (Hollola, FIN) and mixed at Sound Supreme Studios (Hämeenlinna, FIN). Mastering duties were handled by renowned engineer Svante Forsbäck (Rammstein etc.).
The cover was designed by Jan Yrlund (Battle Beast, Manowar etc.), who has already created several artworks for previous albums and singles for the band.
Tracklist:
01. Neito
02. Korpikuusen kyynel
03. Aallon alla
04. Harmaja
05. Kotikonnut
06. Korppikalliota
07. Kallon malja
08. Sillanrakentaja
09. Henkselipoika
10. Pellervoinen
11. Riemu
12. Kuin korpi nukkuva
13. Juomamaa
14. Tuttu on tie
Founding member Jonne Järvelä commented:
“We've never been as satisfied with a final result as we are with "Kulkija". We tried to keep it very natural, and that's what you'll soon be able to hear clearly. Like the wanderer, this album is a journey, one that makes you feel good. Stay tuned!”...
Tuomas (violin) says: “An expensive repair was done on my long lost friend, a Collin-Mézin violin from 1896, giving it a new lease of life. It was used for the first time in ten years for this album and its sound exceeded all expectations”.
Accordionist Sami Perttula added:
“"Kulkija" isn't just a collection of songs, it's a "real" album with a unique atmosphere guiding the listeners through a long journey. All songs were well prepared in advance and nothing needed to be arranged in the studio. Tuomas [fiddle] & I had lots of space to develop and play the folk arrangements”.
Since every album release needs to be celebrated in the right way, Korpiklaani are additionally announcing an accompanying Russian release tour, which will lead them through 13 cities in 16 days. The full itinerary can be found below.
Russian Tour Dates 2018:
07.09. RUS St. Petersburg - Aurora (Release Show)
08.09. RUS Moscow - Glavclub (Release Show)
09.09. RUS Voronezh - Aura
11.09. RUS Rostov-on-Don - Arena
12.09. RUS Krasnodar - Arena Hall
13.09. RUS Samara - Zvezda
14.09. RUS Ufa - Ogni Ufy
15.09. RUS Ekaterinburg - Tele-Club
16.09. RUS Chelyabinsk - Galaktika
18.09. RUS Omsk - Angar
19.09. RUS Novosibirsk - Podzemka
21.09. RUS Irkutsk - Dikaya Loshad
22.09. RUS Vladivostok - San-Remo
Live Dates 2018:
06.07. E Barcelona - Rock Fest
12.07. D Neukirchen-Vluyn - Dong Open Air
13.07. NL Amstelveen - P60 (w/ Myrkvar)
15.07. CZ Vizovice - Masters of Rock (Special Show)
03.08. D Wacken - Wacken Open Air
15.08. PL Straszęcin - Czad Festiwal
18.08. D Dinkelsbühl - Summer Breeze
Weblinks:
www.korpiklaani.com
www.facebook.com/korpiklaani
Today, the band have unveiled the second single, “Harmaja”, in the form of a thought-provoking music video.
Watch the clip, directed by Ville Lipiäinen (Nightwish, Beast In Black, Powerwolf), below.
Says Jonne: “"Harmaja" is an unusual Korpiklaani song with its slow tempo and emotional strength. The song is about longing and I managed to charge it with a great emotional atmosphere. When making the album we mostly used the first takes; we didn't get stuck in details when there was no particular need to.
I was surprised - although in a positive sense - that Nuclear Blast wanted to release "Harmaja" as a single and a video. Usually they prefer more uptempo, fun drinking songs. The new album "Kulkija" of course has that material too since being over an hour long it contains the entire scope of different emotions.
I bought a new classical guitar and started to re-acquaint myself with the 5-finger picking technique. I created a finger exercise that then formed the basis of the song. I sent a very basic version of the song to our lyricist Tuomas Keskimäki who, in the same evening, sent back the lyrics for 'Harmaja'. The text refers to "Sylvian Joululaulu", a well known poem about longing by Zachris Topelius. I sang the demo in my home studio immediately and that was it - the song felt good and strong right away and I knew that it was going to end up on the album.
The video was shot in the pool of the Maritime Safety Training Centre in Lohja. The water was so cold that even constant visits to the sauna couldn't stop the coldness from creeping into my bones. It was very difficult to remember the lyrics, keep my head above the surface of the water and sing – while at the same time trying to look like I wasn‘t freezing to death. All for art!
Lipiäinen knew exactly what was needed for the video and managed to create just the right atmosphere. Lipiäinen knew exactly what was needed for the video and managed to create just the right atmosphere. The shots change slowly, there is no rush with anything and the story stays just right above the surface until the more stormy ending”.
Pre-order “Kulkija” in various formats, here. Pre-order the album digitally to receive “Harmaja” and “Kotikonnut” instantly, here.
With 14 tracks and a total running time of over 71 minutes, “Kulkija” is the group's longest album to date. Working with producer Janne Saksa for the first time, the album was recorded at Petrax Studio (Hollola, FIN) and mixed at Sound Supreme Studios (Hämeenlinna, FIN). Mastering duties were handled by renowned engineer Svante Forsbäck (Rammstein etc.).
The cover was designed by Jan Yrlund (Battle Beast, Manowar etc.), who has already created several artworks for previous albums and singles for the band.
Tracklist:
01. Neito
02. Korpikuusen kyynel
03. Aallon alla
04. Harmaja
05. Kotikonnut
06. Korppikalliota
07. Kallon malja
08. Sillanrakentaja
09. Henkselipoika
10. Pellervoinen
11. Riemu
12. Kuin korpi nukkuva
13. Juomamaa
14. Tuttu on tie
Founding member Jonne Järvelä commented:
“We've never been as satisfied with a final result as we are with "Kulkija". We tried to keep it very natural, and that's what you'll soon be able to hear clearly. Like the wanderer, this album is a journey, one that makes you feel good. Stay tuned!”...
Tuomas (violin) says: “An expensive repair was done on my long lost friend, a Collin-Mézin violin from 1896, giving it a new lease of life. It was used for the first time in ten years for this album and its sound exceeded all expectations”.
Accordionist Sami Perttula added:
“"Kulkija" isn't just a collection of songs, it's a "real" album with a unique atmosphere guiding the listeners through a long journey. All songs were well prepared in advance and nothing needed to be arranged in the studio. Tuomas [fiddle] & I had lots of space to develop and play the folk arrangements”.
Since every album release needs to be celebrated in the right way, Korpiklaani are additionally announcing an accompanying Russian release tour, which will lead them through 13 cities in 16 days. The full itinerary can be found below.
Russian Tour Dates 2018:
07.09. RUS St. Petersburg - Aurora (Release Show)
08.09. RUS Moscow - Glavclub (Release Show)
09.09. RUS Voronezh - Aura
11.09. RUS Rostov-on-Don - Arena
12.09. RUS Krasnodar - Arena Hall
13.09. RUS Samara - Zvezda
14.09. RUS Ufa - Ogni Ufy
15.09. RUS Ekaterinburg - Tele-Club
16.09. RUS Chelyabinsk - Galaktika
18.09. RUS Omsk - Angar
19.09. RUS Novosibirsk - Podzemka
21.09. RUS Irkutsk - Dikaya Loshad
22.09. RUS Vladivostok - San-Remo
Live Dates 2018:
06.07. E Barcelona - Rock Fest
12.07. D Neukirchen-Vluyn - Dong Open Air
13.07. NL Amstelveen - P60 (w/ Myrkvar)
15.07. CZ Vizovice - Masters of Rock (Special Show)
03.08. D Wacken - Wacken Open Air
15.08. PL Straszęcin - Czad Festiwal
18.08. D Dinkelsbühl - Summer Breeze
Weblinks:
www.korpiklaani.com
www.facebook.com/korpiklaani