Finnish folk metallers KORPIKLAANI have entered the studio to begin recording their new album, “Kunnia”, due in August via Nuclear Blast Records.

A new KORPIKLAANI song called “Metsälle” was originally recorded late last year when the band was competing to represent Finland in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest. The track, which will also appear on the forthcoming CD, has since been released as a single and can be downloaded at this location.

According to KORPIKLAANI, “Metsälle” “is about the hunt on Hiisi’s magical moose in the Northland. He (Lemminkäinen) puts on his charmed ski’s and takes off for a prolonged hunt through forests and meadows, marshlands and woodlands, rapids and rivers. This song describes part of the Kalevala story, the national epic of Finland.”

KORPIKLAANI last fall took part in the “Ukon Wacka” North American tour with support from Russia’s ARKONA. POLKADOT CADAVER and FORGED IN FLAMES completed the package.

KORPIKLAANI recently parted ways with longtime violinist Jaakko “Hittavainen” Lemmetty and replaced him with “a young prodigy” by the name of Teemu Eerola. According to a press release, “There is a mutual understanding between [Hittavainen] and the rest of the band and there is no big drama involved. His personal health issues made the constant touring and recording impossible.”

Eerola made his live debut with KORPIKLAANI on September 24, 2011 in Rotterdam, Holland.

KORPIKLAANI’s latest album, “Ukon Wacka”, was released in North America on February 25, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Source: www.blabbermouth.net