Band:	Moonsorrow
Album:	Jumalten Aika
Style:	Viking folk metal
Release date:	April 01, 2016
A review by:	Dream Taster

01. Jumalten Aika
02. Ruttolehto Incl. Päivättömän Päivän Kansa
03. Suden Tunti
04. Mimisbrunn
05. Ihmisen Aika (Kumarrus Pimeyteen)
06. Soulless [Grave cover] [bonus]
07. Non Serviam [Rotting Christ cover] [bonus]

Sharpen your wooden spear and brush your bear pelt, epic heathen metal is making a comeback with the return of one of the most famous Finnish bands out there, Moonsorrow. It has been five years already since the dark sonic haunts of Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa so the release of Jumalten Aika does feel like a return in earnest. Meaning "The Age of Gods", their latest offering is a true rebirth of that larger-than-life pagan metal sound.

With a steady lineup and a winning formula, the Helsinki natives didn't need to reinvent the wheel. And they haven't. So if you were hoping for an evolution, this album is not providing it. You could say the band stayed true to form. With 5 tracks for a running time of 67 minutes, you know you are in for the renowned Moonsorrow experience. My first impressions were that this could pass as Verisäkeet Part II. And that vibe holds strong and true through many listens. Intrigued? You should be.

The Sorvali cousins brought back the heavy artillery. Flutes, chanting and other heavy folk-oriented instruments, melodies and structures are everywhere. But despite the emphasis on the folk aspect of their sound, the pervasive darkened atmosphere of their earlier works has been successfully recreated. The music is epic and massive, emotional and intense. The record demands repeating listens to grow. Their fans wouldn't expect anything less. As expected Ville Sorvali is making use of his arsenal of soul-shattering screams and shrieks to dynamite the songs.

Drummer Marko Tarvonen revealed in a recent interview that the album contained more black metal influences than usual and we get a good sense of that when listening to "Suden Tunti". This slower and more aggressive song does feel like an Ajatarra track. Overall the band has gone back to crafting compositions with ample emotional contrast. That wasn't necessarily the case on their previous release, which started with dark feelings and ended in despair with little room for uplifting moments along the way. Jumalten Aika is more of an extreme ride through the spectrum of human emotions, again, like Verisäkeet was. Essentially Moonsorrow have re-centered their music towards what made them most popular and it is hitting the spot. And how about an inspired cover of Rotting Christ's "Non Serviam" as a bonus track?

With Jumalten Aika you get to experience another quality folk story of epic proportion. Evolution was not needed nor wanted. So the bards of Moonsorrow have done what they do best. And they have done it to perfection once more. A true journey through the icy landscape of the land of the thousand lakes is in store for you. Bring your sharpened spear along, adventure awaits.