You don't have to be able to decipher Finnish to be able to enjoy Korpiklaani's newest album Manala.  Named after Finland's mythological realm of the dead, Manala whisks you on an epic venture through this underworld with powerful anthems and heavy ballads that successfully capture the essences of indigenous European folk culture and untamable heavy metal power.

The opening track "Kunnia" places the pagan musicians at the top of the energy levels.  Or so you thought.  "Tuonen Tuvilla" and "Rauta" kick the energy up to ungodly amounts and showcase the husky intensity of Jonne Järvelä's vocals, the brawling beats of Matson Johansson's drum work, and the successful integration of Juho Kauppinen's accordion artistry.

One of my favourite tracks was "Ievan Polkka," which had structural and instrumental similarities to Gogol Bordello, the kings of gypsy rock.  About halfway through the album, the instrumental elements become increasingly more folk-based rather than heavy metal-based.  But that does not stop the band from incorporating strong guitar riffs to back the cultural instrumentations in tracks such as "Husky Sledge" and "Metsalle."  For folk metal enthusiasts, this new album transforms this mythological underworld from a dimension of the dead into a folk musical masterpiece.