Manala, the eighth studio album from Finnish folk metal ringleaders
Korpiklaani, is named for the underworld of traditional Finnish mythology -- the cover art, which features an elderly Viking and a white swan rising out of a river of lava, would make for a great van fantasy mural. One of the band's heaviest offerings,
Manala is far less "oompah" than their fellow countrymen
Finntroll, but builds upon the same foundation of folk tradition. As always, the band is as brutal as it is melodic, molding the region's dark, heroic folklore into beguiling mosh-pit bait that's outlandish enough for power metal fans and heavy enough for headbanging purists. ~ James Christopher Monger