Artist: MOONSORROW
Album: V: HAVITETTY (CD)

Year: 2007
Media type: CD

A Helsinki heathen Pagan Metal band imbued with Viking spirit. MOONSORROW is centred upon the Sorvali cousins, vocalist bassist Ville Seponpoika and guitar player Henri Urponpoika, who founded the band in August 1995. The Sorvali's had also convened a Folk Metal duo AHTI, releasing a 1995 demo 'Pohjantanti'. An initial MOONSORROW demo tape ‘Thorns Of Ice’ set the pattern for follow-ups ‘Metsa’ (‘The Forest’) in 1997 and ‘Tama Ikuinen Talvi’ (‘The Winter Eternal’) in 1999. This last effort, which also heralded the introduction of drummer Baron Tarwonen (Marko Tarvonen), from Black Metal band GOREWINTER, scored the band a deal with the Plasmatica label. New members guitarist Mitja Harvilahti and keyboard player Lord Euren, the latter another GOREWINTER member, would augment the line-up.

The ‘Suden Uni’ (‘A Wolf’s Dream’) album was laid down in February 2000 but would wait nearly a full year before release. The demo ‘Tama Ikuinen Talvi’ would also be re-released on CD format by Sagittarius Productions. MOONSORROW would then sign to the Spikefarm label for the December 2001 outing ‘Voimasta Ja Kunniasta’ (‘Of Strength And Honour’).

By day Henri Urponpoika Sorvali works as a school music teacher. He also holds down membership of the acclaimed FINNTROLL, billed as 'Trollhorn' and Punk band LARHARYHMД. This latter group also include MOONSORROW colleague Baron Tarwonen too.

Ville Seponpoika Sorvali also cites membership of MAY WITHERS and Death Metal band AMORAL whilst Mitja Harvilahti is numbered in the ranks of Black Metal act TYRANT and Death Metal unit THE SINKAGE. Henri Urponpoika Sorvali would contribute keyboard passages to the 2002 PROPHET (subsequently FRAGILEHOLLOW) album 'Fragile Prologue'. The man would also unite with MANNHAI producer guitarist Mikko Raita and drummer Mikko 'Junior' Pietinen along with and PRODE bassist Jussi Korhonen to forge a Progressive Rock act dubbed LUOKKASOTA. ("Class War").

Yet another adjunct outfit with strong connections came with the unveiling of CHAOSBREED in early 2003. Something of a Finnish Metal 'Supergroup' the band comprised lead vocalist Taneli Jarva of SENTENCED and THE BLACK LEAGUE, guitarists Esa Holopainen of AMORPHIS and Marko Tarvonen of MOONSORROW, bass player Oppu Laine of AMORPHIS and MANNHAI repute with former GANDALF drummer Nalle Osterman.

Signing up to the Spikefarm label resulted in the re-issue of the band's debut album 'Suden Uni'. This version of the record added an extra DVD including promotional video clips and footage of the group at the 2003 'Tuska' festival, plus the additional song 'Tulkaapa Дijдt', in actuality a re-worked cover of NORDMAN's 'Kom Nu Gubbar'. A new studio album, billed as 'Kivenkantaja', was slated for 2003. This outing would feature guest musicians Petra Lindberg with additional vocals, fiddle player Hittavainen and choral singers Janne Perttila and Stefan Lejon.

Mitja Harvilahti joined SHADOW CUT, the band project of IMPALED NAZARENE drummer Reima Kellokoski (a.k.a. Repe F.W. Misanthrope), in February of 2004. Oddly, the band issued a press statement detailing their 2004 album to be entitled 'Raah Raah Blaah', comprising a series of somewhat bizarre song titles including 'Matti Vanhanen On Homo Joka Ei Kesta Viinaa' (translated as "Matti Vanhanen (the prime minister of Finland) Is a fag who can't handle booze") and 'Hakaristi On Oikeesti Kaunis' ("The swastika is really beautiful"). Shortly afterward, the group revealed this to be a hoax, and that the album was really entitled 'Verisakeet'.

Paying homage to the late Quorthon, MOONSORROW undertook a special BATHORY tribute gig at Klubi in Turku on 22nd October, performing "Viking era BATHORY songs." In March 2006 the band signed a new label deal with Spikefarm Records and entered Tico Tico studios in Kemi during late May to cut a new album 'Viides Luku - Havitetty' set for January 2007 release through Spikefarm. 'Viides Luku - Havitetty' entered the German national album chart at number 72.

MOONSORROW teamed up with SWALLOW THE SUN for a European tour throughout March and April.

TRACKLIST:

1. Jaasta Syntynyt - Varjojen Virta
2. Tuleen Ajettu Maa

Chapter One - Born Of Ice
Chapter Two - Stream Of Shadows
Chapter Three - A Land Driven Into The Fire
Chapter Four - Viides Luku/ Havitetty
Chapter Five - Ravaged

LINE-UP:

Ville Seponpoika Sorvali (vocals/ bass)
Henri Urponpoika Sorvali (guitar)
Mitja Harvilahti (guitar)
Lord Euren (keyboards)
Baron Tarwonen (drums)