Korpiklaani at Wrocław’s 3-Majówka: Finnish folk metal grown from Sámi music

3 MAY 2022

The vast majority of folk-metal bands began by playing metal and only later became interested in traditional music, incorporating its elements into their style. Korpiklaani’s music resulted from the opposite process. In 1993, Lahti-based Jonne Järvelä founded Shamaani Duo, a purely folk project preserving the music of the Sámi, who have inhabited Europe’s northern territories for millennia. Shaman followed in 1997, taking an even more meticulous approach to one of the continent’s oldest musical traditions.

Six years later, fans received a shock: instead of pursuing further initiation, shaman Järvelä decided simply to have fun. Korpiklaani was born, answering what might happen if ancient Sámi people played electric guitars. The leader abandoned joik and signed with metal label Napalm Records, resulting in debut “Spirit of the Forest”, effortlessly combining Lapland folk and precise thrash-metal pounding.

Järvelä's ancestral spirits would probably throw up their hands on hearing the cheerful lyrics about drunken adventures and endless parties. Most of the band's songs are sung in Finnish, but this clearly has not hindered international audiences, who quickly fell in love with Korpiklaani. The language of having fun has proved remarkably universal.

The band have released ten albums so far, the latest appearing in 2018 and offering an excellent demonstration of the Järvelä crew’s unique style. “Kulkija” brings incredible energy, irresistible melodies and fast humppa rhythms alongside doom experiments and an acoustic ballad unusual for the group. Korpiklaani love surprising their audience, who flock to their concerts and have a wonderful time. They earned their reputation in Poland through a superb Przystanek Woodstock performance eleven years ago. Since then, almost every tour has included the lands around the Vistula and Oder. This year, the Finns will descend on 3-Majówka, and their performance will surely enter the festival’s history.