There really is no other band quite like Korpiklaani. These Finnish party metal animals know how to put together fun music that makes you want to grab a brew, jump up on a table, and get your jig on. The problem has been though that they release albums so often, and in pretty much the same style, that they all start to sound the same after a while. Thankfully, Ukon Wacka throws some new elements into the fray, making it one of their most enjoyable albums in years.
There's a much heavier guitar presence here, which works nicely alongside the traditional Finnish folk instruments and vocals. Sure, this is still a collection of Finnish party anthems, but damn if the guys haven't injected a crispier, crunchier, metal guitar attack this time around. "Tuoppi Oltta" and "Päät Pois Tai Hirteen" flat out rock, as beefy guitars battle with hurdy gurdy, pan whistles, flute, and fiddle, while "Lonkkaluut" even has some progressive elements to go along with the folk & metal flavors. The pick of the lot though has to be "Tequila", a Latin tinged folk-metal burner that is perhaps the most fun tune this band has ever put together. I dare you not to jump on your feet and do your best salsa/humppa impression with this one. There's even a cool 80's style traditional metal rocker here called "Korvesta Liha" which you can have a lot of fun with as well.
So, in essence, Ukon Wacka is a fun album from Korpiklaani. I still have a problem getting past the Finnish lyrics, and there's still too many tracks here that just sound like everything else this band has ever done before, but if you don't take this type of thing too seriously (and I'm sure the band don't), you can certainly have a lot of fun with it.
Track Listing
01. Louhen Yhdeksäs Poika
02. Päät Pois Tai Hirteen
03. Tuoppi Oltta
04. Lonkkaluut
05. Tequila
06. Ukon Wacka
07. Korvesta Liha
08. Koivu Ja Tähti
09. Vaarinpolkka
10. Surma
11. Iron Fist
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