Uhrijuhla: Uhrijuhla

The beloved English horror movie called The Wicker Man has inspired quite a few artists and musicians since its release in 1973. The film inspired a song not only by Bruce Dickinson during his solo years, but also a song by Iron Maiden a few years later. The film was also remade (poorly, from what I hear) in 2006 with Nicolas Cage in the lead role. Uhrijula, the name of this new band and CD, takes their name from the Finnish title of this same movie. The word translates into English as "Sacrificial Feast." According to the band's promotional materials, the band is made up of members of bands like Xysma, Callisto, and others. Olga, the female singer that performs on several of the tracks, has a successful career in Finland; the music and lyrics were mostly written by Kauko Röyhkä, a long-term professional songwriter. Though I'm not familiar with the bands listed above, it's probably fair to suggest that Uhrijuhla has the workings of being a supergroup.

My feelings about this album are mixed. On the one hand, I can understand that these songs are well-written and well-performed. They are generally interesting and create an overall quiet mood that I enjoyed. On the other hand, the album is very mellow, never quite rising above a mid-tempo range. I don't mind mellow music, but because this album is being labeled as progressive music that specifically looks back to the 1970s, I would suggest that mellow isn't quite enough. The slow burn these guys create works well, but after nearly an hour of listening, the songs blend together too much. The best thing about the album, for me, was Olga's voice. Not only does she have a pretty tone, her harmonies with the other members of the band are always effective. Her voice, with its soft mid-range, does not intrude too much on the consciousness. Instead, it blends into the background, allowing the listener to relax and enjoy the notes, the timbre, and the pitch. The other voices, especially the dominant male voice, are equally rich and strong, though not quite as intriguing as hers. The performances of the other musicians are all good, but I thought that they receded too much into the background. I would think that the music would be highlighted a little more, especially if this band really wants to highlight its progressive songwriting and performance techniques.

I've must admit that I've been listening to this album quite often; today alone, I had it on for most of the afternoon, mostly while I worked at my desk at work , filling out forms, correcting papers, and writing exams. It's great study music. I'd recommend it for anyone who likes a soft beat and a soft voice playing in the background. For readers looking for a metal album, look elsewhere. Otherwise, enjoy the mellow sound of the sacrificial feast.

Track Listing:
1. Avaruuden lapsi
2. Se minkä maa voi antaa
3. Kotona
4. Liian kaukana
5. Kevään airut
6. Maaliskuun yössä
7. Yökello
8. Pikimusta tähtikirkas yö
9. Tunturit

Added: December 7th 2012
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 2433
Language: english

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