The MOONSORROW saga began in late 1995, when the Sorvali cousins Henri and Ville got together with the idea of creating folkish, epic metal art. Soon enough, the boys record their first demo, “Thorns of Ice”. Mysteriously, half of the material recorded disappears after mastering so the tape was left unreleased. The spring of 1997 casts some light upon the band, their official debut demo, “Metsä” (“Forest”) - a display of the fantastic epic metal there is to come - is released, and slowly yet firmly the audience awakens. After “Metsä” an untitled promo tape is also recorded, but due to the unsatisfactory outcome it is never released.
In the very beginning of 1999 the next demo, “Tämä Ikuinen Talvi” (“This Eternal Winter”), is released and leading shortly to a contract with Plasmatica Records. This is also the same date in Moonsorrow's history when the drummer known as Marko Tarvonen enters their line-up. One of the collective dreams is now fulfilled as the first full-length album of MOONSORROW is recorded. Carrying the title "Suden Uni" (“A Wolf’s Dream”), it is the solid cornerstone of the MOONSORROW-sound - a bombastic epic of the finest pagan folk metal. It still takes more than a year to be released, but the band doesn't remain completely idle; the new members Mitja Harvilahti and Lord Eurén are introduced to the line-up and the first live shows of MOONSORROW become reality.
After fulfilling their one-record contract with Plasmatica Records, MOONSORROW begins the search for a new label. It does take its time, (meanwhile “Tämä Ikuinen Talvi” is released on CD-format, remixed and with entirely new vocals) but finally the warriors end up with Spikefarm Records. The second full-length “Voimasta ja kunniasta” (“Of Strength And Honour”) is released on the 26th of November 2001. The album is a full-on attack of incredibly epic metal, winning the hearts of fans and press worldwide. A nationwide campaign of shows begins and the MOONSORROW horde is in full effect.
The next step is taken when the band once again enters the legendary Tico-Tico Studios in Kemi and begins recording “Kivenkantaja”. Three weeks of hard work pays off, since “Kivenkantaja” is definitely the band’s magnum opus, taking the epic MOONSORROW-sound into new levels. In between the two albums, Henri freaked out on old vintage moogs and hammonds, which give a little spice to the album’s overall sound. Fear not, they haven’t gone all 70’s, they’re still very bombastic, very epic, very MOONSORROW. And they are the best at what they do.
Source: http://www.moonsorrow.cjb.net/
