Metsatöll

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Metsatöll
Origin	Tallinn
Country	Estonia
Years active	1998–present
Genres	Folk metal
Labels	Nailboard Records
Members	Raivo "KuriRaivo" Piirsalu Markus "Rabapagan" Teeäär Lauri "Varulven" Õunapuu Marko Atso
Website(s)	Metsatoll.ee

Metsatöll

Metsatöll is an Estonian folk metal band. The name "Metsatöll" is ancient Estonian for wolf, which is reflected in the harshness of their lyrics. Much of their material, featuring flutes and other traditional instruments, is based on the wars for independence of the 13th and 14th centuries.

Metsatöll started playing together in 1998 as a three-piece (Markus - vocals and guitar, Factor - drums, Andrus - bass), playing epic heavy metal with small influences from ancient Estonian folklore. The debut album called "Terast mis hangund me hinge" ("Steel frozen in our souls") was released at that time.

In 2000, a good friend Varulven joined the band. Thus far he had observed the activities of the band with a broad smile and had from time to time joined them on stage. Varulven had self-taught himself a number of ancient Estonian folk instruments and together it was realized that metal and old Estonian folk fit together perfectly. Since then, the music of Metsatöll has intertwined more and more with old Estonian runo-singing and traditional melodies.

2001 was a difficult year for the band, since their bass virtuoso Andrus left the band, deciding to attend more to his personal affairs, and considering the band too much of a burden. Luckily, a new bass player, KuriRaivo, was found after a couple of months.

In 2002 Metsatöll blessed the Estonian music scene with their newest effort, "Hundi Loomine" (Making a Wolf, Creating a Wolf), for which a video was also shot (directed by Liina Paakspuu). Hundi Loomine received numerous exceptionally positive reviews and commentaries in the local media, there was talk of the true mind of the Estonians, the destruction of the negative effects of the English language and the rebirth of folklore through contemporary means and people.

In the beginning of 2004 drummer Factor dedicated himself completely to science and he was replaced by Atso.

In late 2004, Metsatöll released their sophomore album, called "Hiiekoda" (My Home, My Sacred Grove), which was critically acclaimed by both metal and non-metal fans from all over Estonia. It is a heavy metal album strongly combined with old Estonian traditional instruments.

In 2005, Metsatöll released a remake of their old album "Terast mis hangund me hinge" called "Terast mis hangunud me hinge 10218". The number stands for the world's age according to Estonian chronology. It is much more influenced by folk music and done in a much more professional way in general. It is a must-have for any Metsatöll's listener. They have also released an album called "Lahinguväljal näeme, raisk!" (See you on the battlefield, sod/bastard!).

[edit] Members

Markus "Rabapagan" Teeäär - Vocals, guitar
Lauri "Varulven" Õunapuu - Vocals, guitar, flutes, torupill (estonian bagpipes), kannel & other traditional instruments
KuriRaivo - Bass and vocals
Atso - Drums and vocals