Week 87 – VIIKATE

This week my HeadBangers there is no way I can pass on a band playing in fire.  Here’s something  a little different.  I was introduced to Viikate by my metal man a long time ago, I have watched their videos many times.  He, being the old roadie that he is, asked if I would add them to the blog.  How could I refuse.   So relax and enjoy, wait to you see who pops up in their video, I almost died.  Also, remember I do not attempt to even translate the music, songs are meant to be sung in their native language, and if you have ever tried to learn Finnish, trust me when I tell you so much would be lost in the translation, just enjoy it, it is a beautiful language, even if I only know the bad words.

So please welcome, from Kouvola, Finland, VIIKATE

“Viina, Terva & Hauta”

In case you didn’t notice my HeadBangers, that creepy blonde with the nice ass is no other then Anttie “Hyrde” Hyyrynen  the lead vocal and guitar player and one of the best hair moshers in the world, from my first Finnish Metal band that I still love “Stam1na”. 

“Hyrde”

I know surprise right but, even our metal bands have to unwind sometime and this video is so great.  I saw Stam1na at Tuska 2019 and they do not disappoint.  See the blog on Tuska 2019 I have some video of them on it.

“Petäjäveräjä”

My HeadBangers are you thinking what I’m thinking, “Pulp Fiction”!!

Let’s see some bio on these guys:

Viikate (“Scythe” in English) is a Finnish Rock band from Kouvola, formed in 1996. The band is known for its melancholic lyrics, drawing inspiration from Finnish romance movies of the 1950’s and Finnish singers of the era, including Reino Helismaa. Their style has been variously described as “Helismaa-metal,” “wire metal,” and “death schlagers.” The band began with Kaarle and Simeoni Viikate who remained the only members of the band until 2001, when Arvo and Ervo joined. The band’s most well-known hits are Pohjoista viljaa (Northern Crops), Eienkeleitä (No Angels) and Viina, Terva & Hauta (Booze, Tar & The Grave).

Kaarle and Simeoni got the idea of starting the band when watching Lyijkomppania’s last concert.

“Sysiässä

Let’s meet the band:

From left to right:

Ervo Viikate (Erkka Koskinen) – Bass, Vocals

Arvo Viikate (Ari Taiminen) – Guitar, Vocals

Simeoni Viikate (Simo Kairistola) – Drums

Kaarle Viikate (Kalle Virtanen) – Vocals, Guitar

“Eräs Kaunis Päivhttps”

Here’s a bit of history on their home town:

Kouvola is still known as one of Finland’s largest railway junctions. Contemporary large-scale industry began in the 1870s, when the first mechanical pulp mills started up. At that time the engineer Hugo Neuman founded the first groundwood mill, at Verla in 1872.  See my HeadBangers, if you look you can always find history,  and some interesting history at that.

My Thoughts:

First off, I have to say I’m so happy to see Hyrde hanging out with these guys.  Their music is so different from each other, but look at these two smiling faces.  You gotta love them.  Kaarle has a great voice, and even though I love my growl vocals, every once in awhile you just want something a little different.   And different is what you get with Viikate.  I love their videos, aside from being so well scripted they are also funny and no matter your mood you can’t help but smile and maybe even a little laugh will slip out.  Remember there is metal in everything HeadBangers.

Well that’s it for this week HeadBangers.  Join me next week for another band and another song.  Until then don’t stand to close to the fire if you can’t handle the burn…..