Moonsorrow

Moonsorrow
Moonsorrow performing at Myötätuulirock 2011
Background information
Origin	Helsinki, Finland
Genres	Folk metal, pagan metal, black metal, progressive metal
Years active	1995–present
Labels	Sagittarius Productions, Plasmatica Records, Spinefarm, Century Media
Associated acts	Amoral, Barathrum, Finntroll, Barren Earth
Website	www.moonsorrow.com
Members	Ville Sorvali Henri Sorvali Mitja Harvilahti Markus Eurén Marko Tarvonen

Moonsorrow is a Finnish pagan metal band formed in Helsinki in 1995. Musically, the band incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal in their sound. The band call their sound "epic heathen metal" and try to distance themselves from the term "Viking metal". They have distanced themselves from other folk metal bands, emphasizing that their music is pagan and spiritual and is challenging for its listeners, rather than happy or danceable. The band members have varying levels of pagan belief but they draw on pagan spirituality for lyrics and inspiration.

The group's earliest formation consisted of cousins Ville Sorvali (vocals and bass) and Henri Sorvali (guitar and keyboards; also keyboards for Finntroll, Barathrum, and session member of Ensiferum) who released various demos that were much more characteristic of melodic black metal than future releases.

Their debut album, Suden Uni, recorded in early 2000, was released in 2001, along with Tämä Ikuinen Talvi ("This Everlasting Winter"), a re-release of a 1999 demo. Suden Uni ("A Wolf's Dream") combined Finnish paganism and folk elements. After recruiting Mitja Harvilahti and Markus Eurén, Moonsorrow started playing live, releasing Voimasta Ja Kunniasta ("Of Strength and Honour") in late 2001. However, the real takeoff for the band is generally held to be their 2003 release, Kivenkantaja ("Stonebearer"). In 2005 the band followed it up with their fourth full-length album, Verisäkeet ("Blood Verses"). The album is also their first to use ambient sounds such as birdsong and crackling fire in between tracks.