Turisas – Stand Up and Fight

Armed with eye-catching red and black war-paint and with tales of grandeur and battle to boot, it probably wouldn?t be too far off the mark to say that Finland?s Turisas aren?t too fussed on what?s hip and happening in the current metal world. Aptly boasting an album cover that looks like an ancient film poster, ?Stand Up and Fight? is the Finns third studio album, and is the first to feature real string and brass sections.

The opening powerhouse ?The March Of the Varangian Guard? nicely sums up a majority of the record, with a massive chorus and barrelling guitar work the epitome of the groups patented ?battle metal? sound. Frontman Mathias “Warlord” Nygård has a decent set of vocal chords on him, with his baritone singing adding a story telling vibe to many of the tracks, meanwhile ?Venetoi! – Prasinoi!? sounds like a metal remake of something from the ?Ben Hur? soundtrack, with thrashing guitars and drums layered behind cinematic horns and brass.

It?s not all gold though, with ?Hunting Pirates? easily could have been left in the rehearsal room – fortunately the record?s pros heavily out way the cons, with the thumping Maiden-esque ?Take the Day!? an obvious album highlight. ?The Great Escape? shows off a heavier edge to the band, where as the absolutely massive title track is destined to play an important role in the group?s future live show. The back to back closing tracks ?End of an Empire? and ?The Bosphorus Freezes Over? highlights the boosted usage of orchestral sections, with the more melodic sounding songs impressively highly mournful and emotional.

?Stand Up and Fight? is not going to change the face of heavy music as we know it, but while it might seem cheesy and over the top to some ears, for this reviewer Turisas have delivered forty-five minute album of good, catchy, fun metal. What?s not to like?

Rating: 8
Website: www.turisas.com
Label: Century Media

By Andrew Kapper