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Moonsorrow - V: Hävitetty review



Reviewer:
9.5

561 users:
8.64
Band: Moonsorrow
Album: V: Hävitetty
Style: Viking folk metal
Release date: January 10, 2007
Guest review by: SnowSword


01. Jäästä Syntynyt / Varjojen Virta
02. Tuleen Ajettu Maa

Well well well, how does one begin to review an EPIC of these proportions? Let me start by saying this: Moonsorrow is one of my top favorite bands, so this review is probably a bit biased. I will do my best to describe it objectively though!

Those who know Moonsorrow have already probably noticed that over the course of their albums, their songs have been getting longer, more epic, less "catchy" and with much more time given to stretched-out beginnings and endings. Well, with only 2 tracks for the whole album, you might guess that this record is a definite continuation of that trend! Each of these 2 tracks is almost half an hour long. V. Havitetty (full name Viides Luku - Havitetty which means Chapter 5: Ravaged) very much continues where Verisakeet left off.

The build-up and fading away of each track are long and very effective. The music starts very simply, with a sort of fire-crackling sound, and over time more sound get layered on until the music just EXPLODES with fierceness and complexity! What is interesting also is that at its most dense, this music is very bass-heavy; the first time I was listening to this CD was in my car, and the bass was making my entire car vibrate even though I did not even have the volume up all that high!

It's hard to describe anything more about this CD. You just have to hear it - no, you have to EXPERIENCE it. This is NOT an easy, light listen. After hearing it the first time, I didn't know what to make of it. It took me several listens to begin to understand it! Those 2 tracks are real epics in every sense of the word: they tell stories, with a beginning and an ending. It's very emotional. I can't heap enough praise on this record, I think it is a work of genius worthy of great respect!

The being said, I should also mention (as is usually the case with these types of records) that it's not for everyone. If you are new to Moonsorrow, don't start with this one; go for Suden Uni, or Voimasta ja Kunniasta, or Kivenkantaja instead as an introduction to the band. If you are already familiar with Moonsorrow I can say this: if you love Verisakeet, you will probably love this. If you didn't like the direction they took with Verisakeet, then you probably would not like this. What else can I say about it... The cover art is beautiful!! The insert also, thankfully, includes English translations of the lyrics. I've noticed from other Moonsorrow reviews that some don't like Ville Sorvali's heart-rending vocals especially on Verisakeet; I suppose it is an acquired taste, but it is a taste acquired by many including myself. The vocals on V. Havitetty are in that vein so be warned! Otherwise... enjoy!


Rating breakdown
Performance: 10
Songwriting: 10
Originality: 9
Production: 10

Written by SnowSword | 03.06.2007




Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.


Comments

Comments: 13   Visited by: 261 users
04.06.2007 - 13:13
Rating: 9
Katatronik
Angel of Lust
Great album IMO, though hard and difficult to digest... but I think Moonsorrow have never been easy-listening... good review!
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"The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear,
and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown."
Howard Phillips Lovecraft
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14.09.2007 - 09:16
Carrion
Account deleted
I love listening this album. Every time you listen to it you can find something new in it!
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21.12.2007 - 21:44
Sidragasum
Account deleted
This was my first Moonsorrow album, I love it to bits. One of my favourite albums ever.
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03.01.2008 - 23:43
Visioneerie
Urban Monster
I look forward to getting this album, my only album from them right now is Verisakeet, and i praise it, its a masterpiece. I will look for this one in stores.
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Any man can stand adversity, but to test his character give him power - A. Lincoln
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09.02.2008 - 18:43
Torelli
It grows on me for each listening. It is epic and it's a really good , but a near perfect score? I don't know, but it makes a good combatant for best folk metal album 2007, suddenly I'm not so sure what to vote for....
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16.02.2008 - 12:38
Moeror
Very nice piece of art, each time u listen to it u get something new!
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On the plain lies an angel, dead
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26.03.2008 - 12:39
BurbotsRevenge
Foetal Butchery
if this isn't epic, i'm not sure what is

good album, good review
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Dark death metal from Sydney: https://www.facebook.com/GolgothanRemains
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19.04.2008 - 19:29
Berfones
One of the greatest albums by one of the greatest bands in the world!!!
50 something minutes of pure pleasure, great songs writing, lyrics, singing, shifting between slow and fast and mellow and heavy and dark music, they keep on getting better and blacker.
Hails Vickings Des Nord!!!
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Thine truly,ancient evil overlord
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27.01.2009 - 00:06
Ragana
Rawrcat
You know I started with this album. And more - I love this album. If I had to choose, I would say my favourite is "Tuleen Ajettu Maa", but both songs are really telling us a story.

I like this album because of it's peacefulness, even if some parts are strong, a bit aggressive or rough, it's calm. You can actually feel it.
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28.09.2009 - 09:31
Ellrohir
Heaven Knight
Wonderful too...the length of the songs should cause lose of concentration by someone but thats not my case, i adore long songs
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My rest seems now calm and deep
Finally I got my dead man sleep


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02.04.2010 - 23:33
Rating: 10
Dream Taster
The Enemy Within
Staff
Still my favourite album to this day. What an epic album.
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18.09.2012 - 21:23
ZudiRuus
Written by [user id=13894] on 14.09.2007 at 09:16

I love listening this album. Every time you listen to it you can find something new in it!

It's like driving the Nurburgring.
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20.11.2019 - 18:29
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
I say songs are boat catchy and epic, catchy not as PM genre, but in own way. You stuck whit it and whole genre, bm and folk touch is great feeling.
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I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens.

Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"

I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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