Feb 2022 metal black-metal doom-metal folk neofolk synth synthwave ambient post-punk post-rock
Ok, these are going to be some long-ass liner notes, so tl;dr: Here’s the full concept album I’ve made during FAWM 2022. I hope you enjoy it.
Foreword:
I've played with the idea of making a concept album for FAWM for several years, and now I finally set out on that path. The theme is inspired by a book about Finnish paganism (the book is called “Suomalainen kansanusko”, unfortunately I don’t think it has been translated) which I got from my spouse as a birthday present. The story drew a bit from different mythologies and I edited the myths as I saw fit, so no scholar-like precision was strived for. Although the story is based on old Finnish folklore myths, for example the main character of the story, Kajo, is completely invented by me. All the lyrics were written in Finnish, I saw no other way with this kind of theme. I’ve tried to provide translations, but with this kind of subject matter, some things are just untranslatable.
I've often tried different styles during FAWM, and while the framework was (for me unsurprisingly) black metal, I tried to also incorporate lots of other elements, ranging from neofolk to post-punk, to get some variety for the listener as well as to myself as a writer.
Some slight edits have been made to the original tracks, most obvious one being a complete re-recording and re-arranging of the second track, Ukkoslinnun sulat. I’ve been thinking about maybe returning to this whole thing at some point and possibly crafting a “more proper” release out of it. We’ll see. It’s way longer than I’d prefer an ideal album to be, but that’s what you get with fourteen tracks and me not being able to write short songs! Well, there’s at least a couple of those as well.
This project was really time consuming, and lots of planning went into it. At times I’ll admit I felt overwhelmed. I’ve never pulled out all fourteen tracks during FAWM before, and it didn’t feel like a small task. In this, the planning definitely helped. It remains to be seen whether I’ll ever reach that milestone again. But I’m so very happy I got it done, and via creating a somewhat (hopefully) cohesive whole, may I add!
Below you’ll find the story itself and the vocabulary I’ve crafted, mostly using "Suomalainen kansanusko" book. That’s why the aforementioned long-ass liner notes. Hope those of you who have the patience will enjoy the ride!
Prologue: Alkutuli (The Primal Fire)
Ancient Finland, before Christianity, when giants and trolls roamed the lands, animals and nature communicated with man, shamans made their spirit journeys and the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead was thin…
In the primal fires of the world, sky god Ilmarinen forges the furnace. He meets a wolf, and amongst these fires, they make love. The result is Kajo (Gleam in English), a hero who has a flame in their eyes and blood of god and wolf pumping in their veins. Kajo has the traits of masculinity, femininity and everything in between. Their love and valour protects this world and also in the end shall burn it.
Chapter 1: Ukkoslinnun sulat (Feathers of the Thunderbird
Kajo decides to steal the feathers of the Thunderbird, for they have strong Väki. Their village would benefit greatly from such item. Kajo manages to grab the feathers from the tail of the sleeping Thunderbird, but the great beast turns swiftly when the feathers are pulled and hits Kajo. Kajo falls from the nest and lands into the darkness of unconsciousness. And dreams…
Chapter 2: Sarvá
As Kajo loses consciousness from falling off the Thunderbird's nest and wanders through the realm of the dreams, amongst the mist they see a crown of horns glimmering in the distance. Kajo is enchanted by this sight and the sheer beauty of it. They know they have found their chosen one.
Chapter 3: Löyly vainajille (Löyly for the dead)
After regaining consciousness, Kajo returns to their village. It is time for Kekri celebrations. Kajo and their saunatonttu are warming the sauna in preparation for the dead who will soon arrive to visit the village. The oldest of the village is waiting for the guests at the gates with a liquor bottle in his hand. He has done this countless times, but every time he feels excitement and a strange beat in his heart.
Chapter 4: Hiihtävä surma (Skiing Death)
Winter embraces the land. Amongst the endless white, by a field, Death is skiing through the snowy landscape and contemplating his next victim. In the distance, he sees Kajo's village. He draws a mark on the ground. Come spring, he shall return here.
Chapter 5: Tarina maailmanpatsasta tärisyttävistä olennoista (A Story about Creatures Who Shook the World Pillar)
One day, the skies start to deform and the earth shakes. The North Star looks like it's about to bend out of its place. The trembling seems to come from the core of the earth. Kajo decides to find out what is happening.
The noise leads them through the underworld, Tuonela, and finally, to the World Pillar. There Kajo finds giants, the Sons of Kaleva, marveling the great Pillar, dancing around it and touching it in awe. They don't realise that their amazement and worship causes such vibrations throughout all planes of existence.
Kajo explains the situation to the giants. They tell that they are lost, so Kajo leads them back to the middle world. There they see the North Star, and by its guidance they start their journey home. Kajo watches as these ancient creatures travel onwards and finally vanish to the horizon.
Chapter 6: Ukon malja (The Cup of Ukko)
It is springtime and time to drink the Cup of Ukko to summon the rain. The whole village, Kajo and their wolf mother included, participate in the great celebrations. Everyone is dancing, drinking beer, falling into a drunken euphoria and having sex. Soon all the attendees seem to be one.
Chapter 7: Käärmeenkäräjäkivi (Snake's Court Stone)
Still euphoric from the Ukon malja ritual, Kajo, their mother and a few others decide they will steal the Snake's Court Stone, as it is the time of the snakes' gatherings and the village's harvest season would without a doubt be successful with the stone having such a strong Väki. They storm the nest of the vipers and a furious battle breaks out. Kajo and their wolf mother manage to grab the stone, retreat and flee back to their village as heroes. But little do they know that one of the vipers has secretly followed them…
Chapter 8: Suden varjo (The Shadow of the Wolf)
As Kajo and their wolf mother return to the village, they place the Court Stone to the main altar. Suddenly, from the forest, a snake which has followed them flings like a raging arrow straight to Kajo’s mother’s neck. The serpent is decapitated swiftly, but its venom is already running through the veins of Kajo's mother. Kajo can only helplessly watch as her spirit leaves her body and returns to the star-lit sky.
Chapter 9: Huokaisee pitämyspuu tuulessa (The Sacred Tree Sighs in the Wind)
Kajo is sitting beside their courtyard's sacred tree, watching the wind silently moving the leaves and commemorating their mother.
Chapter 10: Liikkuvien patsaiden puutarhaan (To the Garden of Moving Statues)
Fall colours the leaves. It’s almost a year now since Kajo dreamt of the elk. The dream has not left them alone, rather they notice continually thinking about it. Haunted by the vision, Kajo goes to visit the village’s shaman. Together they embark on a spirit journey to find the truth behind Kajo’s dream. They fall and as fiery wolf and Lapland’s eagle fly above the snowy landscape, and in the emptiness, see an elk. Kajo feels their heart racing.
Once they return to their physical bodies, the shaman explains to Kajo that the elk they saw is Sárva, the first elk. To catch him means the end of the world, but the cycle also demands it. Sárva is indeed meant for Kajo. Kajo's insatiable and inexplicable love will inevitably burn the world.
Chapter 11: Hellusios et Oxionas
Kajo realises that there is nothing left for them in the home village anymore. The shaman has told Kajo about a folk called Oxionas who live somewhere in the west. They have a man's head but the body of a wild animal. Kajo thinks it’s maybe time to search for themself elsewhere. They take the long road to the west. Snow starts to fall.
Finally, Kajo reaches the destination and indeed finds this mythical folk. They are half human, half bear. Kajo feels a connection with these people and spends many weeks at their village, hunting, exchanging stories and drinking. When Kajo decides to continue their journey, one member of the Oxionas tribe tells them about the massive elk footprints he has seen nearby. He suspects it belongs to someone from the Hellusios tribe, who are half man half elk, yet feels there is something special in it, as he has never seen such a print before.
As Kajo is heading north, their glance stops at a footprint just next to them. Kajo kneels to take a closer look, but already knows in their heart that this is their elk. Sárva. Blood rushing and with fiery eyes Kajo turns their head towards the winter moon and howls. Their chosen one, their loved one, is near.
Chapter 12: Tulen nielemä hirvenkaataja (An Elk Hunter Swallowed by the Flames)
Kajo races through the snow banks. In the distance Kajo sees the same crown of horns they saw over a year ago in their dream. Tears run down their face. With the speed of their wolfmother and strength of their skygod father, Kajo reaches Sárva. Their eyes meet. The moment freezes and it seems like Sárva recognises Kajo as well. Like a lightning bolt Kajo leaps towards the horns.
As Kajo and Sárva embrace, their love becomes the fire that burns the world. And amidst the flames they whisper in unison, "You are my chosen one."
Epilogue: Maailman tuhkissa kytee kipinä (A Spark Smoulders in the Ashes of the World)
The world is fire again. And then, ash and dust. But amongst the ashes, a small spark glimmers. And once more, skygod Ilmarinen picks up his hammer and begins his work.
Vocabulary (in the order of appearance in the story):
Thunderbird is a mythical creature in the Native American folklore.
Väki is a magical force or presence that certain elements and items posses.
In the Sámi mythology Sarvá is a mythical first elk, which is hunted by the heroes called Gállabártnit. When they succeed, the world will end, as it means the ending of all hunting.
Löyly is the heat you get when you throw water on the hot sauna stove.
Kekri is a traditional Finnish celebration for end of the harvest season. It is believed that the veil between the dead and the living is thin in this time of the year. During Kekri, sauna is heated and food and liquor are served for those who have passed on from this realm of existence.
Saunatonttu is an elf which watches over proper sauna conduct.
Hiihtävä surma is a name of a Finnish folkloristic horror poem.
Kalevanpojat, the Sons of Kaleva, are ancient giants in the Finnish folklore.
Tuonela is the realm of the dead, guarded by a fiery eagle.
Sampo is a mighty magical device in the Finnish national epic Kalevala. It is also believed to be equivalent to World Pillar / World Tree.
Ylinen, keskinen and alinen are upper world, middle world and underworld.
Ukon malja, The Cup of Ukko (god of weather), is a springtime ritualistic celebration to summon rain for the crop. It is believed to have involved lots of beer drinking and free sex.
Käärmeenkäräjäkivi, Snake's Court Stone, is a powerful magical item. In the olden times it was believed that the snakes gathered in spring to decide about their matters, and their leader wore a round stone as an insignia. If one would be able to steal it, they would have an item which possesses a lot of magical power Väki. Stealing the item was believed to be very dangerous, however, as snakes would grab their tails, swing through the air and bite the thief.
Turisas is a Finnish god of war, although it has to be noted that it wasn't probably a particularly meaningful deity, as Finnish people didn't have much need for a god of war.
I suppose pitämyspuu in English is sacred tree, although I’m not sure how accurate that is. Pitämyspuu is a tree in the courtyard on which sacrifices for the dead were brought.
Hellusios et Oxionas is a term used by Roman Publius Cornelius Tacitus in his work called “Germania” which introduces some Mid and Northern Europe folk. When talking about the Fennis, he mentions Hellusios et Oxionas, people that are half human half beast. Scholars have suggested that the Oxionas refer to a bear and Hellusios to an elk.
Ukkoslinnun sulat (Feathers of the Thunderbird)
Aamunkoiton kultaan herää
Poika alun sekä lopun aikojen
Tytär suden ja taivaan
Sankar’ tulevan tulen
Tuoksu ilmassa liitää
Kutsu laulaa tuulessa
Väekästä sulkaa hakemaan
Siivet Ukkoslinnun
Kirjokantta halkoo
Epäilys ei mieltä tahraa
Kantaa varma askel
Tarttuu ote kiveen
Ja käsi
Pyrstöön tarraa
Haituvat repii
Petolinnun liike nopea
Alas matka pitkä
Pimeään syöksyy Kajo
Ja uneen vaipuu…
Translation:
To the gold of the dawn awakens
Son of beginning and endtimes
Daughter of wolf and sky
Hero of the coming fire
A scent flies in the air
Calling sings in the wind
To fetch the feather with Väki
Wings of the Thunderbird
Split the furnace
Doubt does not stain the mind
The firm foot carries
A grip in the stone
And a proud hand
Grabs the tail
Rips the feathers
A swift move of the bird of prey
A long way down
Into the darkness dives Kajo
And falls into dreams…
Sarvá
Läpi usvan
Halki harson
Käy polku
Yli tunturien
Keskellä ikuisuuden
Kruunu siintää
Kutsuu kulkijaa
Kodin lämpöön
Käsi kurottaa
Kohti lupausta
Sydän halajaa
Pään laskemaan
Keskellä ikuisuuden
Kruunu siintää
Kutsuu kulkijaa
Kodin lämpöön
Olet valittuni…
Translation:
Across the mist
Through the veil
The path leads
Over the fells
Amidst the eternity
A crown looms
Calls the wanderer
To the warmth of the home
Hand reaches
Towards the promise
The heart yearns
To lay ones head
Amidst the eternity
A crown looms
Calls the wanderer
To the warmth of the home
You are my chosen one...
Löyly vainajille (Löyly for the Dead)
Kun huntu ohut on
Ja raja läpäistään
Liikkuvat täällä he
Jotka ovat lähteneet
Pian raastaa talvi
Maaemon pintaa
Nostamme maljan
Jaamme antimet
Tänään kiuas lämpenee
Lyö lieskat läpi maailmoiden
Tänään juoma virtaa
Löyly vainajille
Kaaosajan kulkijat
Näitä maita vaeltavat
He, jotka eivät
Hautaa malta halata
Hahmo portilla seisoo
Odottaa vieraitaan
Pullo kädessään
Kumma väpätys rinnassaan
Tänään kiuas lämpenee
Lyö lieskat läpi maailmoiden
Tänään juoma virtaa
Löyly vainajille
Translation:
When the veil is thin
And the border is crossed
They wander
Those who have left
Soon the winter
Tears the Mother Earth's surface
We shall raise a cup
And share the fruit
Today the sauna stove will be heated
The flames strike through the worlds
Today drinks shall run
Löyly for the dead
The wanderers of the chaos time
These lands they walk
They who don't
Caress the grave
A figure stands at the gate
Waits for his guests
A bottle in his hand
A strange pound in his chest
Today the sauna stove will be heated
The flames strike through the worlds
Today drinks shall run
Löyly for the dead
Hiihtävä surma (Skiing Death)
Kiitää pellon reunaa
Latua repii
Kipinää iskee
Yötaivaalle
Mittaa horisonttia
Silmä jäinen
Pohtii työtään
Surman aikaa
Katse pysähtyy
Hyinen koura
Maahan merkin viiltää
Kevättä odottamaan
Translation:
Speeds the edge of the field
Rips the ski track
Hits sparks
To the nightsky
Measures the horizon
An icy eye
Ponders his work
The time of death
The look stops
A frigid hand
Slashes a mark to the ground
To wait for the spring
Tarina maailmanpatsasta tärisyttävistä olennoista (A Story about Creatures Who Shook the World Pillar)
Tanner tärisee
Taivas vääristyy
Kuin Pohjannaula
Repeäisi paikaltaan
Yliseen ja aliseen
Palvonta väräjää
Tanssi kantaa
Läpi metsien
Syöksy tuntemattomaan
Kohti kuilun kurkkua
Ohi tulisen kotkan
Läpi Tuonelan tunnelin
Suuren pylvään äärellä
Maailman perustuksissa
Tiensä hukanneet
Kumartavat syvään
Eksyneiden jättien
Retki jatkuu
Pohjantähti oppaanaan
Palaavat mailleen
Iäti seisoo
Maailmanpatsas
Valvoo Sampo
Kalevanpoikain taivallusta
Translation:
The ground trembles
The sky disfigures
Like the North Star
Would tear out of its place
To the over and underworld
The worship vibrates
The dance goes
Through the forests
A rush to the unknown
Towards the throat of the ravine
Past the fiery eagle
Through the tunnel of Tuonela
Beneath the great pillar
At the foundations of the world
Those who have lost their way
Bow deep
The voyage
Of the lost giants continues
The North Star as their guide
They return to their lands
A rush to the unknown
Towards the throat of the ravine
Past the fiery eagle
Through the tunnel of Tuonela
Eternally stands
The World Pillar
Sampo watches over
The journey of the Sons of Kaleva
Käärmeenkäräjäkivi (Snake's Court Stone)
Matkaan käyvät
Turisas suojanaan
Kyyn pesään
Missä kokoustavat
Luikertelijat ruohikon
Matelijat onkaloiden
Näkökenttä täyttyy
Hampaiden himosta
Salamoi ilma
Käärmeen vihasta
Kivi käräjiltä
Voitto taistosta
Vaan huomaamatta jää
Perässä lipuva hahmo
Näkökenttä täyttyy
Hampaiden himosta
Salamoi ilma
Käärmeen vihasta
Translation:
Onwards they go
Turisas as their shield
To the viper’s nest
Where hold a meeting
Slitherers of the grass
Reptiles of the pit
The view is covered
By the lust of teeth
The air blazes
By the fury of the snake
A stone from the court
A victory from the battle
But without notice goes
A figure gliding behind
The view is covered
By the lust of teeth
The air blazes
By the fury of the snake
Suden varjo (The Shadow of the Wolf)
Koitoksen jälkeen
Kivi lasketaan
Alttarilleen
Voimaa antamaan
Nuoli ilman
Raivolla lävistää
Pureutuu turkkiin
Tiensä sisään kaivaa
Ja suden varjo
Suojaa
Vaikka poissa
Olisi
Ja suden varjo
Kuuta syleilee
Kun se palaa
Tähteinväliin
Myrkky suonissa
Virtaa valtimoissa
Raivaa tiensä
Sisimpään
Käärmeen pää
Katkennut
Jo työnsä
Tehnyt
Ja suden varjo
Suojaa
Vaikka poissa
Olisi
Ja suden varjo
Kuuta syleilee
Kun se palaa
Tähteinväliin
Translation:
After the battle
The stone is layed
At its altar
To give strength
An arrow pierces
The air with rage
Bites to the fur
Digs its way inside
And the shadow of the wolf
Guards
Even though
It would be gone
And the shadow of the wolf
Embraces the moon
As it returns
Between the stars
Poison in the veins
Flows in the arteries
Clears its way
Inside
The head of the serpent
Severed
Has already
Done its work
And the shadow of the wolf
Guards
Even though
It would be gone
And the shadow of the wolf
Embraces the moon
As it returns
Between the stars
Liikkuvien patsaiden puutarhaan (To the Garden of Moving Statues)
Savuverhoon
Askel olemattomaan
Loveen lankeamaan
Liikkuvien patsaiden
Puutarhaan
Jokin sisällä
Jyskyttää
Vapautta vaatii
Ääni rikkoutunut
Täällä totuus
Asettuu kielelle
Ja maata raavitaan
Hiljaa
Translation:
Into the curtain of smoke
A step to the non-existent
To fall into the gap
To the garden of
Moving statues
Something inside
Pounds
Demands freedom
With a broken voice
In here the truth
Sets itself on the tongue
And the ground is scratched
Quietly
Hellusios et Oxionas
Menneisyyden varjo
Peittää laakson
On vain
Yksi polku
Talven peitto
Tuo lohdun
Vie eteenpäin
Hetkeksi lepäämään
Laskee
Ja jäljet
Nietoksessa
Ne lävistävät
Katseen
Kohti kuuta
Ulvonta kohoaa
Ja sydän
Raivoaa
Translation:
Shadow of the past
Covers the valley
There is
Only one path
The winter’s blanket
Brings solace
Pushes forward
Lays to rest
For a moment
And the footprints
In the snowdrifts
They pierce
The gaze
Towards the moon
The howling rises
And the heart
Rages
Tulen nielemä hirvenkaataja (An Elk Hunter Swallowed by the Flames)
Juoksu
Läpi kinosten
Kyynelten peittämä
Reitti
Kohti
Kaiken loppua
Epätoivon loikka
Ote sarvista
Syleily loputon
Ikuinen rakkaus
Polttaa maailman
Vain tuhka
Jää
Ja maailmanpalon keskeltä
Kuiskaus kuuluu
Olet valittuni…
Translation:
A run
Across the snow banks
A tear covered
Path
Towards
The end of everything
A leap of despair
Grip from the horns
Endless embrace
Eternal love
Shall burn the world
Only ashes
Remain
And amidst the world burn
A whisper sounds
You are my chosen one…
@burrsettles Mar 2022
well, i certainly didn't listen to the whole thing since all the songs also appear to be double-posted as individual tracks, and with the now songs page ranking algorithm (https://fawm.org/forums/topic/12939/) this now bubbles up to the top unless i leave a comment. :)
i did listen through the prologue though, and it's a really nice moody ambient metal instrumental.
congrats on writing your full concept album! very ambitious project, and according to your profile it looks like this might be the first time you "won" FAWM? if so, congratulations on that as well!
@sierain Mar 2022
Well, that was a journey! Listened through the whole album. Only took a quick look at the lyrics, mostly read the story chapters as the songs switched. The genre isn't generally my cup of tea, but the story kind of kept me going. Of course, the genre just fits the (fascinating) theme.
I think that the effect of planning and the complete story can be heard here. And it is indeed cohesive in my opinion.
My favorite tracks were probably 'Alkutuli', 'Käärmeenkäräjäkivi' 'Huokaisee pitämyspuu tuulessa' and 'Tulen nielemä hirvenkaataja'. 'Maailman tuhkissa kytee kipinä' is interesting as well. The beginning kind of stands out as a different type of track but it makes sense in the context of the story.
All in all, great work! Kinda makes me want to go for a full album approach for FAWM as well but the thought is quite intimidating. I'd be very proud if I could pull off something like this. Well done.