Fins are no stranger to beer-fuelled folksy nuttiness and neither are Korpiklaani, the country’s most famous folk metal band: first as Shamaani Duo as of 1993, then Shaman and as of 2003 as Korpiklaani. Frontman Jonne Järvelä is the only constant in the line-up and from day one he’s been in charge of the lyrics, which are usually about alcohol (‘Beer Beer’, ‘Vodka’, ‘Tequila’, …) and wild parties. Initially Järvelä sang his lyrics in English but over the years they’ve increasingly opted to sing in their native tongue. Of course, for anyone outside their home country it’s just a load of gibberish but who cares? Personally he describes the music as ‘old people's music with heavy metal guitars’. In 2011 they wormed their way into the hearts of European fans with the successful album ‘Ukon Wacka’ and since then they’ve been on an endless recording-touring cycle. The title of their latest album ‘Jylhä’ translates as ‘rugged’ or ‘robust’, and that is the perfect way to describe the Clan of the Wilderness. #GMM23
