Midnattens widunder

Midnattens widunder (English: Beasts/Behemoths/Monsters of Midnight) is a folk metal album by the Finnish band Finntroll. It was released in Finland in 1999 by Spinefarm.

Concept

The lyrical content of the album follows the story of the legenday Rivfader ("Rip-father"), "king-shaman" of the trollish race, and his war against Christian encroachment of the trollish "North Lands". The trolls gather under the Svartberg ("Black Mountain") around the ancient throne of Rivfader, who then leads them on a war against the "Tribe of Christ". The story acts as an analogy of the conflict between Christians and Pagans in Early Medieval Scandinavia, and many of the concepts appearing in the album are returned to in the bands later work. The character of the Troll-King Rivfader, in particular, is a recurring figure, again taking centre-stage for the bands fourth album, Ur Jordens Djup.

Track listing

1. "Intro" – 1:57
2. "Svartberg" (Black Mountain) – 4:06
3. "Rivfader" (Ripfather) – 4:09
4. "Vätteanda" (Goblin Spirit) – 4:35
5. "Bastuvisan" (Sauna Song) – 1:19
6. "Blodnatt" (Blood Night) – 5:12
7. "Midnattens widunder" (Monsters of The Midnight) – 4:40
8. "Segersång" (Victory Song) – 1:59
9. "Svampfest" (Mushroom Feast) – 2:03

Personnel

• Jan "Katla" Jämsen – vocals
• Samuli "Skrymer" Ponsimaa (credited as "Örmy") – guitar
• Teemu "Somnium" Raimoranta – guitar
• Sami "Tundra" Uusitalo – bass
• Samu "Beast Dominator" Ruotsalainen – drums
• Henri "Trollhorn" Sorvali – keyboards

Additional personnel

• Tapio Wilska – clean vocals on "Vätteanda" and "Midnattens widunder"
• Mistress Helga – accordion on "Midnattens widunder"

References