Metsatöll
Encyclopedia
Metsatöll is an Estonia
n folk metal
band.
The name "Metsatöll" is an ancient Estonian
euphemism
for wolf, which is reflected in the harshness of their lyrics. Much of their material, featuring flutes and other traditional instruments, is based on the wars for independence of the 13th and 14th centuries.
In 2000, a good friend Varulven joined the band. Thus far he had observed the activities of the band and had from time to time joined them on stage. Varulven had self-taught himself a number of ancient Estonian folk instruments and together it was realized that metal and old Estonian folk fit together perfectly. Since then, the music of Metsatöll has intertwined more and more with old Estonian runo-singing and traditional melodies.
2001 was a difficult year for the band, since their bass player Andrus left the band, deciding to attend more to his personal affairs, and considering the band too much of a burden. A new bass player, KuriRaivo, was found after a couple of months.
In 2002 Metsatöll released the single "Hundi Loomine" (Making a Wolf, Creating a Wolf), for which a video was also shot (directed by Liina Paakspuu). Hundi Loomine received numerous exceptionally positive reviews and commentaries in the local media, there was talk of the true mind of the Estonians, the destruction of the negative effects of the English language and the rebirth of folklore through contemporary means and people.
In the beginning of 2004 drummer Factor dedicated himself completely to science and he was replaced by Atso.
In late 2004, Metsatöll released their second album, called Hiiekoda (My Home, My Sacred Grove), which was critically acclaimed by both metal and non-metal fans from all over Estonia. It is a heavy metal album strongly combined with old Estonian traditional instruments.
In 2005, Metsatöll released a remake of their old album Terast mis hangund me hinge called Terast mis hangunud me hinge 10218. The number stands for the world's age according to Estonian chronology. It is much more influenced by folk music and done in a much more professional way in general. They have also released a live album called Lahinguväljal näeme, raisk! (See you on the battlefield, sod/bastard!).
In 2009, Metsatöll signed the Finnish record label Spinefarm Records
. a new album, titled Äio was released on the 3rd of March. An Internet single, along with the video to a song from the album, called "Vaid Vaprust" was released on the 15th of January.
Notes on translation
Metsatöll's titling and lyrics make heavy use of archaic Estonian language and imagery, which often do not have clear English translations. For example, the word Hiiekoda refers to a type of (usually wooden) sacral
building constructed near or in a forest considered holy in the pre-Christianisation customs of Estonians. While the word Sutekskäija does mean Werewolf
, the Estonian werewolf legends are considerably different from those known in Anglophone
countries, and this particular word has an emphasis on the human aspect of the person involved, so a better (although not as catchy) translation might be One who regularly engages in werewolf business.
The name Raua needmine is a reference to a work of the same name by Veljo Tormis
. The latter's name is sometimes translated as Curse Upon Iron in English.
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
n folk metal
Folk metal
Folk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...
band.
The name "Metsatöll" is an ancient Estonian
Estonian language
Estonian is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1.1 million people in Estonia and tens of thousands in various émigré communities...
euphemism
Euphemism
A euphemism is the substitution of a mild, inoffensive, relatively uncontroversial phrase for another more frank expression that might offend or otherwise suggest something unpleasant to the audience...
for wolf, which is reflected in the harshness of their lyrics. Much of their material, featuring flutes and other traditional instruments, is based on the wars for independence of the 13th and 14th centuries.
History
Metsatöll started playing together on 24 February 1999 as a three-piece (Markus – vocals and guitar, Factor – drums, Andrus – bass), playing epic heavy metal with small influences from ancient Estonian folklore. The debut album called "Terast mis hangund me hinge" ("Steel frozen in our souls") was released at that time.In 2000, a good friend Varulven joined the band. Thus far he had observed the activities of the band and had from time to time joined them on stage. Varulven had self-taught himself a number of ancient Estonian folk instruments and together it was realized that metal and old Estonian folk fit together perfectly. Since then, the music of Metsatöll has intertwined more and more with old Estonian runo-singing and traditional melodies.
2001 was a difficult year for the band, since their bass player Andrus left the band, deciding to attend more to his personal affairs, and considering the band too much of a burden. A new bass player, KuriRaivo, was found after a couple of months.
In 2002 Metsatöll released the single "Hundi Loomine" (Making a Wolf, Creating a Wolf), for which a video was also shot (directed by Liina Paakspuu). Hundi Loomine received numerous exceptionally positive reviews and commentaries in the local media, there was talk of the true mind of the Estonians, the destruction of the negative effects of the English language and the rebirth of folklore through contemporary means and people.
In the beginning of 2004 drummer Factor dedicated himself completely to science and he was replaced by Atso.
In late 2004, Metsatöll released their second album, called Hiiekoda (My Home, My Sacred Grove), which was critically acclaimed by both metal and non-metal fans from all over Estonia. It is a heavy metal album strongly combined with old Estonian traditional instruments.
In 2005, Metsatöll released a remake of their old album Terast mis hangund me hinge called Terast mis hangunud me hinge 10218. The number stands for the world's age according to Estonian chronology. It is much more influenced by folk music and done in a much more professional way in general. They have also released a live album called Lahinguväljal näeme, raisk! (See you on the battlefield, sod/bastard!).
In 2009, Metsatöll signed the Finnish record label Spinefarm Records
Spinefarm Records
Spinefarm Records is a Finland-based record label focusing mainly on heavy metal artists. In 1999, a sub-label titled Spikefarm Records was started by Sami Tenetz from Thy Serpent...
. a new album, titled Äio was released on the 3rd of March. An Internet single, along with the video to a song from the album, called "Vaid Vaprust" was released on the 15th of January.
Members
- Markus "Rabapagan" Teeäär – vocals, guitar
- Lauri "Varulven" Õunapuu – vocals, guitar, flutes, torupill (Estonian bagpipes)& other traditional instruments
- KuriRaivo – bass and vocals
- Atso – drums and vocals
Former members
- Silver "Factor" Rattasepp – Drums (1999–2004)
- Andrus Tins – Bass (1999–2000)
Discography
- Hiiekoda (Sacred Grove) (2004)
- Terast mis hangund me hinge (Steel frozen in our souls 10218) (2005)
- Sutekskäija (Werewolf) (2006)
- Lahinguväljal näeme, raisk! (See you on the battlefield, sod/bastard!) (CD/DVD) (2006)
- Raua needmine (Curse upon Iron) (CD/DVD) (2006)
- Iivakivi (Fertility Stone) (CD) (2008)
- Kõva Kont (Hard Bone) (2DVD+CD) (2009)
- ÄioÄio"Äio" is the release from Estonian folk-metal group Metsatöll. It was issued in 2010 on Spinefarm Records all over the world. It features heavy use of traditional instruments such as the lokulaud, torupill, kannel & angipill, in addition to the typical metal band instrumentation -Reception:In the...
(2010) - Ulg (Howl) (2011)
Notes on translation
Metsatöll's titling and lyrics make heavy use of archaic Estonian language and imagery, which often do not have clear English translations. For example, the word Hiiekoda refers to a type of (usually wooden) sacral
Sacral
Sacral may refer to:*sacred*sacrum...
building constructed near or in a forest considered holy in the pre-Christianisation customs of Estonians. While the word Sutekskäija does mean Werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
, the Estonian werewolf legends are considerably different from those known in Anglophone
English-speaking world
The English-speaking world consists of those countries or regions that use the English language to one degree or another. For more information, please see:Lists:* List of countries by English-speaking population...
countries, and this particular word has an emphasis on the human aspect of the person involved, so a better (although not as catchy) translation might be One who regularly engages in werewolf business.
The name Raua needmine is a reference to a work of the same name by Veljo Tormis
Veljo Tormis
Veljo Tormis is an Estonian composer, regarded to be one of the greatest living choral composers and one of the most important composers of the 20th century in Estonia. Internationally, his fame arises chiefly from his extensive body of choral music, which exceeds 500 individual choral songs, most...
. The latter's name is sometimes translated as Curse Upon Iron in English.