STAND UP AND FIGHT

Turisas is not a typical prog metal band and this album may be better described as a symphonic metal release with a death metal edge. But the music is written and arranged with maximal care and although most of the songs are heavily orchestrated and supported with an aggressive metal section of loud drums and guitars, there is a great diversity and attention to details in each of the songs. The first track, The March of The Varangian Guard, is the most straightforward song on the album, but it is not a typical power metal song. It has strong and concrete opening, which quickly changes into a very dramatic verse, which leads into a powerful and catchy, yet musically interesting chorus. The solo is really short and purposeful. This track is in fact a great hit song in a symphonic metal coat. Next is Take The Day!, one of the strongest tracks on the album. Great mix of anticipation and anger. This song has the potential to catch listener's ear at the first play, but at the same time it doesn't wear off because of the amazing lively orchestral arrangements. In fact, this track is a heavily orchestrated stadium rock anthem with growls in the chorus. Hunting Pirates is not as orchestrated as the other songs, but it's well arranged, too. Quite folky with some rhythmically tricky sections. Following Venetoi! - Prasinoi! is a sure highlight of the album. High energy, excellent arrangements. It is mostly instrumental, exceptions are couple of neat growls, which blend surprisingly well with the orchestration Ennio Morricone or John Williams would be proud of. Next is the title track. A very melodic, quite melancholic, but heavy song. Instrumental sections are excellent and the simple chorus is probably the weakest point of this track, which is rather typical for some prog metal bands, such as Dream Theater or Haken. The Great Escape at first seems like a weaker song whose purpose is mainly to support the story. However it develops into a very powerful ending, maybe one of the most epic moments of the album. Fear the Fear is a really nice melodic metal song with excellent arrangements and details. Also, lyrics of this song are amazing as they neatly connect the story with the world of the supposed listener. End of an Empire, the big track, feels like the conclusion of the whole album. It reminds me of some of the best works of Rhapsody. But the real icing on the cake is the final track, the melancholic The Bosphorus Freezes Over. The metal edge is only touched here and it has a chorus sung by a 'sad' choir in old Finnish - the result is an absolutely lovely song with stunning development, full of beautiful melodies and harmonies.

I recommend this album to all prog listeners who prefer real orchestrations to keyboards and programming and who can stand a power metal theme and a death metal growl. Although Stand Up And Fight is not a typical prog album, it is full of amazing musical ideas and one of the most carefully composed and arranged metal albums ever released. A true masterpiece of rock music.