[Review] Vesilinja – Merkurius

Valisinja are a band from Southern Finland that offers classic Progressive Rock sounds with that Scandinavian edge characteristic of Nordic bands. The third and new album entitled “Merkurius” was released on October 11, 2024 via Saunakamari Levyt and contains five tracks, including the epic title-track, which is over 22 minutes long. The album opens with “Pimeys astuu syrjään,” a hort two-minute introductory track, which immediately immerses us in the band’s progressive rock sounds imrpeziotized by the horns. The intertwining of guitar-keyboards-woodwinds is remarkable, immediately bringing to mind the atmosphere of the 70s. Guitar arpeggios and a pastoral flute open “Illalla,” which after this intro develops a solid, elaborate Prog theme with refined keyboard and woodwind impasto. The vocal parts in Finnish are dynamic and fit well into the musical context of the song, alternating with the instrumental sections. The solo phrasing of keyboards and woodwinds is interesting, alternating with the vocal parts, and then concluding the song with the clarinet as the protagonist. “Ikuisuuden puutarha” is characterised by dreamy atmospheres and that Scandinavian touch that permeates the sound. A mixture of Rock and Finnish Folk traits characterise this softer passage, with interesting Jethro Tull-esque flute inserts and more Prog keyboard inserts that evolve the song’s theme in the instrumental sections. An energetic Rock sound characterises “Kultaiset kehykset,” with the horns playing the lead role in the melodies and the vocals giving the song a more melodic touch. Interesting keyboard work in the verses and woodwind inserts offer a fine solo cue in the central instrumental section. The vocal returns for the last verses and the track ends. “Haaste jumalille” opens with a mixture of Folk and Progressive, characterised by dreamy atmospheres and a more delicate sound. The tempo changes are a real asset, allowing the band to evolve the song’s theme through an interesting and extended instrumental section that enhances the band’s compositional and performing technique. The keyboards and horns are the protagonists of both melodic and solo interlacing of fine workmanship and accompany us in a continuous succession of refined ideas. We come to the title- track “Merkurius,” an epic suite over 22 minutes long that opens with electronic and futuristic sounds. Long, elaborate instrumental sections enhance all the instruments through melodies and solo passages of the highest level, which alternate with the intense parts sung in Finnish. Guitar-keyboards-keyboards intertwine in a succession of emotions that accompany us for the entire duration of this epic track. The drumming is solid and elaborate, the bass lines deep and load-bearing, creating a rhythm section enriched by tempo changes. The band explores the different facets that characterise their modern and original style, offering over 20 minutes of quality Progressive Rock. A band that confirms the good things heard on previous record releases, offering Progressive Rock with personal and original traits. Solid and elaborate rhythm sections, interweaving guitar, horns and keyboards and vocal parts in Finalndese characterize the sound of this band that manages to bring classic atmospheres into a modern and markedly personal context. A recommended listen for all lovers of Scandinavian Prog sounds, with a final epic suite of absolute value.

Tracklist

01. Pimeys astuu syrjään (02:02)
02. Illalla (05:19)
03. Ikuisuuden puutarha (04:23)
04. Kultaiset kehykset (03:24)
05. Haaste jumalille (07:25)
06. Merkurius (22:34)

Lineup

Aake Salmi / Lead Vocals (4, 5, 6), Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar (6), 6- and 12-string Electric Guitar, Steel Guitar, Flute, Drum Synthesizer, Sound Effects
Niko Saarinen / Hammond Organ, Rhodes Electric Piano, Moog Synthesizer, Mellotron, Korg String Synthesizer, Upright Piano (6), Backing Vocals, Sound Effects
Jussi Portaanpää / Drums, Gong, Egg Shaker, Triangle, Chimes, Sound Effects
Artturi Sipilä / Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Antti Tuominen / Lead Vocals (2, 6), Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar (5), 12-string Acoustic Guitar, Classical Guitar (2), Upright Piano (2), Mandolin
Topias Ahola / Lead Vocals (3, 6), Backing Vocals, Alto and Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Classical Guitar (3)

Vesilinja |Bandcamp|Facebook Page|Instagram|Spotify|

Saunakamari Levyt |Official Website|Facebook Page|

Author: Jacopo Vigezzi

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