Eight years ago, I decided: Moonsorrow was my favorite band. Unfortunately, I got into the Finnish pagan-metal band late: only joining in 2011. But, while I was a latecomer, I jumped in with both feet and was hooked wholeheartedly. Jumalten Aika took a few days to become my Album Of The Year 2016 and I never looked back.
But in those eight years, my beloved Moonsorrow has…done nothing. And in that time, fellow Finns Havukruunu has essentially released their entire oeuvre and – it’s simply brilliant. Remarkable. Outstanding. This year’s Tavastland was AOTY within days of releasing – much like MS was in 2016. Uinuos Syömein Sota was AOTY 2020 and Kelle Surut Soi could be the band’s best. I’m unsure; much like Moonsorrow, it’s quality AND quantity together.
Of course, everything might be reconsidered upon the successor to top-20-ever Jumalten Aika. But until that day, I think my favorite active band may be Havukruunu!