Metal Underground.com

Combining styles that nobody ever thought would go together, Finntroll isn’t so much an avant-garde metal act as simply one that’s a bit wacky, but there’s nothing wrong with that, because frankly, the formula works. Who knew over-the-top polka would fit with the darkness of black metal? Don’t question it, and just listen, because “Blodsvept” is an undeniably fun album that still has the harshness and heaviness required to keep a metal head’s interest.

Like the last few albums from Finntroll, “Blodsvept” has the ever-present humppa and folk elements, but the music remains much darker and heavier than with many other folk-based metal groups. Comparing it to previous full-length effort “Nifelvind,” this new offering is a bit simpler overall, keeping up one main idea or theme per track with less extraneous material. The result is a memorable album with more punch that isn’t precisely “catchy,” but it does stick in the head more due to repeating chords and keyboards.

The entire album has a particularly strong flow, making the music frequently feel like a continuous track instead of a segmented album. Although that creates some bleed through, it’s actually less than you’d think, with a few added elements freshening up the mix, like “Rosets Kung” having gang chants that bring to mind the rollicking good time of Alestorm. As a folk outfit, there’s of course a variety of keyboard and traditional instruments going on, including what sounds like a sax attack on “När Jättar Marschera.” Seventh track “Skogsdotter” likely has the most upbeat humppa aspects and, apparently taking a cue from Sonata Arctica, even throws in some random banjos.

“Blodsvept” may not work for all metal fans – “Två Ormar” in particular takes the zany atmosphere pretty far with a collision of sound somewhere between a cartoon and a cheesy horror flick – but there’s an undeniable appeal to the album if your metal doesn’t have to be serious all the time.