Moonsorrow - Suden uni (2001)^{Release ID: 1334}

While I've quite enjoyed the last couple of Moonsorrow albums I've always found that the earlier releases contain a stronger folk metal component which is a style of metal that alienates me most of the time. The band certainly has some good instrumental skills & the production is always top notch but the folk melodies are simply far too cheesy for my taste & they become more & more dominant the further you delve into the band's back catalogue. Subsequently I think Moonsorrow's debut full-length "Suden uni" is the most folk-driven album I've heard from them & it's no surprise that I've given it my lowest score yet. There is certainly still some Bathory worship going on here & there but the viking metal influence is nowhere near as strong as it is in recent times when the band's song-writing skills seem to have matured somewhat. I think I'll stick with the more recent stuff.