After 3 years since the last album, Finnish Folk Metal Superstars KORPIKLAANI offer their 10th album titled »Kulkija« (“Wanderer”), set for a September 7th, 2018 release. Concluding 14 (!) tracks, »Kulkija« is their longest album, but also their most natural sounding one to date. “That’s what you can clearly hear. It’s closer to how we sound on stage, and we’ll be able to play all new songs live, that’s for sure,” explains Jonne. For tracking, the band members mostly used their current tour rig. And the result was definitely worth the waiting. From the first to the last tone, a unique atmosphere guides the listeners through a long journey. “It’s not just a collection of songs, it’s a ‘real’ album,” states Sami. Adds Jonne, “It needed many songs to create this atmosphere, and the record’s flow is really good too. You should definitely listen to »Kulkija« as a whole. The more you listen to the record, the more details you can find.” Sami Perttula explains further, “We really took our time and recorded it piece by piece. All songs were also well prepared in advance and nothing needed to be arranged in the studio like sometimes before.”

Khram is the Russian word for temple – and is also the title of the eighth Arkona album. A Khram is a temple shrouded in natural mysticism slumbering behind nocturnal treetops, yet open to everyone. The sincerity and depth that binds all five band members together resonates in the sumptuously dark cover artwork and leading lady Masha`s lyrics that are written in her own blood (which is also part of the artwork). Arkona may have used sound samples in their early days, but nowadays cellos, brass parts, wind instruments and throat singing are recorded live meticulously and flow naturally into harsh metal on headstrong tracks like ‘Shtorm‘. King-sized songs effortlessly shift from blackened pagan metal masterpieces to epic tracks with crystal-clear melodies and piano infusions. Arkona’s Khram is an exuberant and demanding affair that defies genre boundaries with untamable spirit!

Sioum is an instrumental trio based out of Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 2008, the band consists of Dorian Zdrinc (guitar), Arthur Zdrinc (drums) and Kevin Clark (keys). They often draw inspiration from film, video games, and most frequently, emotion itself. Post-metal, as well as progressive influence are often noted, although occasionally, many broad (and unusual) influences, such as contemporary classical and chiptune, can be heard.