Kylmä tila

People are usually surprised when they hear that I love to listen to German heavy metal, maybe I don't look the part (although Gareth said this morning that in fact he could have predicted it, either that or death metal - but that probably tells you more about my reputation at work!). I've always liked almost all sorts of music, from classical to Kylie to Rammstein - couple of years ago Henri introduced me to a Finnish heavy metal band called Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus, and I've been a follower ever since.

Their new CD came out this March, in fact on the same weekend we visited in Finland so I thought I'd pick it up from the airport. No such luck, and they gave me funny looks as well when I asked for it. My second attempt to get the CD was when Mikki visited us - but since I didn't actually ask him to bring it until he had already arrived, it's no big surprise he didn't deliver. The third attempt was when J-Ko was visiting us - him I gave generous several hours before his flight was leaving, but the airport still didn't stock the CD and as you know he got me something completely different. The fourth attempt was when Chu was visiting us, and this time I was wise enough to make the request several days in advance, and faithful to her diligence she produced the goods.

kaiken tiedät, teet ja osaat
minua paremmin
niin minä luulen ja pahoin epäilen
te ette minua, vaan minä teitä tarvitsen

Te ette tarvitse minua is very typical of the song (you know and do / everything better than me / so I suspect the worst / that you don't need me, like I need you) of not only Trio Niskalaukaus, but also typical of Finnish rock music. It's very melancholy both in words and melody and tells a story about a man who has failed his family and has decided to leave because he thinks it's for the best

hän häpeää sitä taloa,
josta kaikki sai alkunsa
hän ei muistele vanhempiaan
eikä köyhyyttä,
kun pääsi sieltä

hän vetää suuria linjoja,
herättää pelkoa monissa
sanotaan, että hänellä on
tapa lakaista
ongelmat tieltään

So, the CD is called Kylmä tila (translated either as cold space or cold farm, either fits into the lyrics of the song with the same name), and while I like it quite a lot, it's not quite as good as their previous CD Rajaportti. Kylmä tila somehow more melodical, more mellow, and perhaps more mature - this is maybe inevitable as the band members themselves mature. I've got several favourites - quoted Hyvä ihminen (very Market Forces), Älkää selvittäkö (which hits the sweet spot when it comes to describing mandatory redundancies) and of course Minun oikeus (lyrics are good here too, but this is a favourite because it's probably most Rajaportti-like heavy sounding piece on the CD). It's good stuff.

Posted by kolibri at 9 July 11:28, 2004

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