Kicking off the party at YleX Stage, climbing out from under rocks was Finntroll. The band is as Finnish as they get, but the lyrics have always been in the second official language, Swedish. I myself have not mastered that language of demons, living here in the Eastern border, far away from the Swedish influence. But I do believe that the lyrics were more about cutting up priests into partysize pieces than about socialism and the welfare state.
Although the band started the Sunday for YleX Stage fairly early, there was a surprisingly large horde of hangover trolls gathered to hear their marching orders. These wretched souls were reminded to takecare of proper hydration during the weekend. And the gig itself was excellent, as is the norm with Finntroll. A set ot old and new, fast rushes and slow mood pieces. Not to mention the sing-alongs and folk music!
Finntroll is a magnificent mongrel of madness and mayhem!
Text: Mika Martikainen
Photo: Nuutti Turkki
Translation: Jaakko Suvanto
