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Track

Rankarumpu

Artist

Korpiklaani

Korpiklaani backstory

Last year marked the 20th anniversary of Korpiklaani’s Spirit Of The Forest debut.

But this fixture on the Finnish rock scene has been knocking folk rock out of the park even longer than that.

The early years saw frontman Jonne Järvelä lead Shamaami Duo and Shaman before he finally rebranded as Korpiklaani.

And what a move that proved to be.

Rankarumpu is the band’s 12th long player — five albums in five years starting with 2005’s Voice Of The Wilderness laid the foundation for a vast and immersive canon.

Rushonrock first clapped eyes on the febrile Finns at Hard Rock Hell in 2009 and we were hooked.

2011’s Ukon Wacka was one of our albums of the year.

And Järvelä and co. have barely put a foot wrong since.

Each of the band’s last eight records have charted inside the Finnish Top 40.

In singer Jonne Järvelä’s own words

“Rankarumpu is our fastest album, which was easy and fun to make.

“However, in contrast to the fun, the war theme rears its head here and there on the album because the world situation is so completely absurd and twisted at the moment.

“Violinist Olli Vänskä joined this album as a new member, while Tuomas Rounakari focused on his solo production.

“Olli was Tuomas’s deputy many times over the years when he was busy, so he was the only right choice as a member.

“He participated in the arrangements but also composed for this album.

“The song and video for Rankarumpu perfectly sums up what this band represents at its best, which is having fun together with our audience.

“This will even make the purists get dancing!”

The verdict on Rankarumpu

Reassuringly riotous, typically raucous and utterly infectious: this is Korpiklaani at their party-starting best.

Finnish folk metal’s finest boast a happy knack for crafting dance ready rock, fusing traditional flourishes with modern twists.

And if Rankarumpu isn’t the Scandi term for ruckus then why the hell not?

Ex Turisas conscript Vänskä hooks up with accordionist Sami Perttula to drive this incendiary track forward.

All the while, a frenzied Järvelä revels in a fresh opportunity to shake things up behind the mic.

There’s a captivating sense of adventure hearing Korpiklaani race through the title track to their latest album like their lives depend on it.

And it really doesn’t matter that we don’t have clue what’s going on.

What’s next for Korpiklaani

The band is on the road throughout 2024.

They set sail for a North American tour with Visions Of Atlantis and Illumishade (feat. members of Eluveitie) in April and May.

A summer of European festivals beckons before another run through Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic at the end of the year.