Metsatöll

Metsatöll
Metsatöll in Lappeenranta, Finland in 2014.
Background information
Origin	Tallinn, Estonia
Genres	Folk metal, heavy metal, folk music, Thrash metal
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Universal Records
Associated acts	Human Ground, Loits, Paskar Kolgats, Aggressor, No Big Silence
Website	Metsatoll.ee
Members	Markus "Rabapagan" Teeäär Lauri "Varulven" Õunapuu Raivo "KuriRaivo" Piirsalu Marko Atso
Past members	Silver "Factor" Rattasepp Andrus Tins

Metsatöll is an Estonian folk metal band. The name "Metsatöll" is an ancient Estonian euphemism 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 on 24 February 1999 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. So far he had observed the activities of the band 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 player Andrus left the band, deciding to attend more to his personal affairs, and considering the band too much of a burden. A new bass player, KuriRaivo, was found after a couple of months.

In 2002 Metsatöll released the single "Hundi Loomine" ('The Creation of the 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 talkof 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 second 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. They have also released a live album called Lahinguväljal näeme, raisk! (See you on the battlefield, sod/bastard!).