Band:	Waltari
Album:	You Are Waltari
Style:	Alternative metal, Avantgarde metal, Progressive thrash metal
Release date:	March 02, 2015
A review by:	jupitreas

01. 12
02. Tranquality
03. Solutions
04. Only The Truth
05. Mountain Top
06. Right Wing Theme
07. Strangled
08. Keep It Alive
09. Singular
10. Not Much To Touch You
11. Hyväolihyväoli
12. Drag
13. Televizor
14. Diggin' The Alien

When reviewing their previous album, I complained that Waltari is no longer as adventurous and crazy as they used to be in the past. Well, apparently they must have read my review since even they now concede that I am Waltari (yes - ME) and that I am the one who knows best what Waltari should sound like.

All jokes aside, I have to admit I really dig the concept behind You Are Waltari. There is something endearingly democratic about this title and the artwork adorning this album. I wouldn't say that the technique of the cartoonist is particularly impressive, but I still can't stop staring at all of these faces. Furthermore, I imagine that I am also there in this crowd - just that I'm too ugly to be in the frame. I feel like I belong and like I have a real (if small) influence on what the band does. The idea of many different minds wandering in their own directions is also a very apt metaphor for what Waltari are doing on this album.

In case you haven't guessed it yet, You Are Waltari is a return to ultra-crossover for Waltari. If you're not familiar with the concept, it is sort of like giving the wrong medication to an ADD patient. Every song on this album is played in a different style and incorporates a variety of genres, with the only commonalities being Kartsy's vocals and an overall devotion to metal. Best of all, after so many albums like this, Waltari still do not really show any signs of burnout.

Well OK, maybe a little - there is nothing here that we haven't heard before on previous albums and there are also no notable detours into complete insanity. In the grand scheme of all things Waltari, this is basically a pretty average album. There are no terrible missteps here, but at the same time, nothing is mindbogglingly awesome either. The more progressive tracks tend to be better than the others, with "Keep It Alive" being the clear highlight with its trip-hop leanings successfully balancing out its melodic chorus. "Hyväolihyväoli" comes across as a parody of djent but is actually a quite brilliant attempt at hypnotic, rhythmic songwriting. Meanwhile, "Strangled" brings back that unique take on grindcore as heard on classics such as "Exterminator Warheads", while "Not Much To Touch You" recalls the heavy metal of So Fine!.

In other words, You Are Waltari is an album that makes up for what it lacks in fresh musical ideas with that charming, democratic, all-inclusive attitude as expressed by the album art. The fans will love it, but I suppose that there are better places for someone to start listening to Waltari (for example - Torcha! or Release Date). Besides, even with the somewhat conservative approach, things must be put in perspective - not many bands are able to pull off this kind of genre-juggling chaos so consistently.