Kulkija ("The Wanderer") is the tenth studio album by Finnish folk metal band Korpiklaani. Released on 7 September 2018, it features themes like travelling, nostalgia and homesickness.[2][3] It is the band's longest studio album at 71 minutes and 20 seconds, thus beating 2008's Korven Kuningas by almost a minute. The album reached the top 30 chart positions in Finland and Switzerland.[2]

Kulkija
Studio album by
Released7 September 2018
RecordedSound Supreme Studio at Hämeenlinna, Finland
GenreFolk metal
Length71:20
LanguageFinnish
LabelNuclear Blast
ProducerJanne Saksa
Korpiklaani chronology
Noita
(2015)
Kulkija
(2018)
Jylhä
(2021)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Blabbermouth.net8.5/10[1]
Metal Hammer UK[2]
Metal Hammer Germany4/7[3]
Rock Hard7.5/10[4]

In 2019, the album was released in a special Tour Edition that features a bonus disc called Beer Beer, which is composed by various artists invited by the band to perform their song of the same name in different languages and versions.

Reception

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Kulkija received positive reviews from critics, with praise going to the band for having updated its sound, flirting with genres like doom metal[2][4] and acoustic while maintaining its classic essence with elements like drinking songs, although some felt the album was not as strong as their previous release, Noita.

Track listing

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Kulkija track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Neito" (The Maiden)3:52
2."Korpikuusen kyynel" (Moonshine)4:07
3."Aallon alla" (Under the Wave)4:05
4."Harmaja" (The Grey)5:08
5."Kotikonnut" (Homestead)4:23
6."Korppikalliota" (The Raven's Rock)5:38
7."Kallon malja" (Chalice of the Skull)9:46
8."Sillanrakentaja" (Bridge Builder)6:44
9."Henkselipoika" (A Boy in Suspenders)3:56
10."Pellervoinen"3:19
11."Riemu" (Joy)5:15
12."Kuin korpi nukkuva" (Like a Sleeping Forest)3:56
13."Juomamaa" (Drinker's Land)3:49
14."Tuttu on tie" (The Road is Familiar)7:22
Total length:71:20
Beer Beer (Tour Edition bonus disc)
No.TitleLength
1."Kaljaa" (featuring Vesku Jokinen from Klamydia)2:36
2."Bier Bier" (featuring Andreas "Gerre" Geremia from Tankard)2:36
3."Bíra Bíra" (featuring Fleret)2:36
4."Øl Øl" (featuring Trollfest)2:36
5."Shai Shai" (featuring Nytt Land)2:36
6."Birra Birra" (featuring Emilio Souto from Skiltron)2:36
7."Пиво Пиво" (featuring Troll Bends Fir)2:36
8."Pivo Pivo" (featuring Meri Tadić)2:36
9."Μπύρα Μπύρα" (featuring Jesper Anastasiadis from Turisas)2:36
10."Pivo Pivo" (featuring Milan Krištofik from Achsar)2:36
11."Beer Kill Kill" (featuring Steve Souza from Exodus)2:36
12."Beer Beer" (featuring Christopher Bowes from Alestorm)2:36
13."Mellanöl" (featuring Viking Danielson from Svarta Ljuset)2:36
14."Bier Bier" (featuring Heidevolk)3:00
Total length:36:48

Charts

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Chart (2018) Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[5] 72
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[6] 24
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[7] 45
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[8] 29

Personnel

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  • Jonne Järvelä – vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, percussion, violaphone
  • Kalle "Cane" Savijärvi – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jarkko Aaltonen – bass
  • Matti "Matson" Johansson – drums
  • Sami Perttula – accordion
  • Tuomas Rounakari – violin

References

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  1. ^ Van Horn, Ray Jr. "Korpiklaani – Kulkija". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Wright, Holly (6 September 2018). "Korpiklaani – Kulkija album review". Metal Hammer UK. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b Gratzke, Lisa (7 September 2018). "Korpiklaani – Kulkija". Metal Hammer Germany (in German). Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b Michels, Alexandra (2018). "Korpiklaani – Kulkija". Rock Hard (in German). No. 376.
  5. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Korpiklaani – Kulkija" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Korpiklaani: Kulkija" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  7. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Korpiklaani – Kulkija" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Korpiklaani – Kulkija". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 August 2019.