Track Listing

1. Victoriae & Triumphi Dominus
2. As Torches Rise
3. Battle Metal
4. Land Of Hope And Glory
5. Messenger
6. One More
7. Midnight Sunrise
8. Among Ancestors
9. Sahti-Waari
10. Prologue For R.R.R.
11. Rex Regi Rebellis
12. Katuman Kaiku

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37107 in Music
• Released on: 2004-08-02
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced

Customer Reviews

Review of Battle Metal from HMAS.org
Genre definitions tend to become quite tedious in the long run and at the end of the day the label you put on a band doesn't exactly state their worth. Sometimes it can justify the means though as you try to define a sound to target a specific audience. A more appropriate description than the one Turisas grace themselves with is hard to come by. Battle Metal, as unspecific as it may be, truly represents what this album has to offer; mainly in the lyrical department but musically as well. Tales of historic battles and bravery in the northern hemisphere are backed up by heavily orchestrated arrangements and a heavy attitude.

Another band known for using the Battle Metal tag are the Britons of Bal-Sagoth and the similarities between the two are quite obvious. Turisas also lends plenty of inspiration from Celtic folk music and present their own version with a somewhat bizarre twist. Turisas, being of Scandinavian heritage, takes pride in their regional folk music as well though and therefore manages to distinguish a personal sound, much to their advantage.

Excluding the spoken intro to the epic "Rex Regi Rebellis" there's not a single weak track on this album. The just mentioned epic saga, in parts a musical interpretation of author Zacharias Topelius' "Finska rytteriets march i Trettiåriga kriget (The March of the Finnish Cavalry in the Thirty Years War)", being one of the absolute highlights. Other stand-out tunes include the title track (such immortal melodies!); the powerful "One More" and "Sahti-Waari" which contains one of the most powerful choir performances I've ever heard. The songwriting; the arrangements; the choirs; the production; the cover art, everything on this album is absolutely top-notch making it hard to believe this is actually the band's debut album.

Fans of bands like Moonsorrow, Thyrfing and the aforementioned Bal-Sagoth (or other bands in that soundscape) are hereby adviced to hunt down this album. It just doesn't get better than this!

Hail Mighty Odinsblade!!!!!
I bought this album more or less on a whim, and from the first moment I was completely blown away - totally captivated. The album is bombastic but in no way cliched, incredibly varied and showcases the obviously superb musical talent of the band members.

For fans of the battle or "viking" metal genres, this is a 100% absolute must buy. For those who are interested in what this varied genre has to offer them then this is an excellent place to start and in my oppinion represents the current pinnacle of the genre.

Most if not all of the songs are anthemic, paricularly the title track and "Once More" - I find myself loudly singing along to both. The other tracks on the album are no less magnificent in their concept and indeed their execution - I can't remember listening to another album that was recorded with such technical perfection.

Very, very highly recommended. This reall must be heard to be believed - no amount of words can do it justice! All told, a quite emotional album that perfectly reflects the subject matter. I can't wait for Turisas' next work.

Excellent slice of Finnish metal
I first heard Turisas(the track I heard was none other than "Battle Metal") through a free sampler CD I got off a monthly metal magazine. I was really impressed with it, so therefore I bought the album. And the rest of the album is just as impressive. Turisas have a unique sound to them. They mix melodic black metal with the spirit of Manowar. I would recommend this album to fans of Finntroll, Ensiferum and Bal Sagoth.