In 2000, a good friend Lauri "Varulven" Õunapuu joined the band. Until then, he had observed the activities of the band with a broad smile and had, from time to time, joined them on stage. Varulven had self-taught himself a number of ancient Estonian folk instruments and together they realised that metal and old Estonian folk fit together perfectly. Since then, the music of Metsatöll has interwined more and more with old Estonian runo-singing and traditional melodies.
In 2000, their bass virtuoso Andrus left the band due to personal reasons. However, he was replaced with a new bass player, Raivo "KuriRaivo" Piirsalu, in just a couple of months.
In 2002, Metsatöll contributed to the Estonian music scene with their newest effort, "Hundi Loomine", for which a video was also shot (directed by Liina Paakspuu). "Hundi Loomine" received numerous exceptionally positive reviews and commentaries in the local media, there was talk of the true mind of the Estonians, the destruction of the negative effects of the English language and the rebirth of folklore through contemporary means and people.
In the beginning of 2004, Factor dedicated himself completely to science and was replaced by Marko Atso.
In late 2004, Metsatöll released their sophomore album, called "Hiiekoda" (My Home, My Sacred Grove), which was critically acclaimed by both metal and non-metal fans from all over Estonia. It is a heavy metal album strongly combined with old Estonian traditional instruments.
In 2005, Metsatöll released a re-recording of their first album "Terast mis hangund me hinge" called "Terast mis hangund me hinge 10218". The number stands for the world's age according to Estonian chronology. It is much more influenced by folk music and done in a much more professional way in general. It is a must-have for any Metsatöll's listener.
In 2008, Metsatöll released a single "Veelind" from their then upcoming album, "Iivakivi". They also signed with Spinefarm Records.
Considered a highly popular band in their home country, they have also won many competitions.
"Metsatöll" pretty much means "wolf". It was believed among Estonians that the name of the wolf cannot be said out loud, and that whenever you say "wolf", it will appear. For that reason, wolves were called by various different names, such as võsavillem, vanatöll, hallivatt, metsaisand, metsakutsu, hallivatimees, etc. One of the names was metsatöll, which roughly translates into "forest creature" (mets - forest; töll - being, creature).
Their official website is www.metsatoll.ee
Kui rebeneb taevas
Metsatöll Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kui taevas ka raskena laskub
Muserdus vaaniva uduna embab
Õed-vennad, pidage vastu
Püsige vaprad, mu õed ja mu vennad
Raudsaabas kui rusudeks astub
Tallab ja räsib ja rõhub see maad
Püsige kanged, mu õed ja mu vennad
Kui marupilv rahega kastnud
Põllud, jääteradest hävinud nad
Õed-vennad, pidage vastu
Püsige terved, mu õed ja mu vennad
Kui ümber kõik vinduvad katkus
Ja korinal seiskuvad kaaslaste rinnad
Õed-vennad, pidage vastu
Kui rebeneb taevas ja lõheneb maa
Õlg-õlale naaldudes seista veel saab
Kui rebeneb taevas ja lõheneb maa
Me suurena tuleme taas
Püsige rõõmsad, mu õed ja mu vennad
Kord vimm tormi-iili sees lahtub
Ja õitsevad taas kord kõik külad ja linnad
Õed-vennad, pidage vastu
Püsige lahked, mu õed ja mu vennad
Et kirbetand sapiaur lahkuks
Ja tagasi tulla ei mõistakski sinna
Õed-vennad, pidage vastu
The first verse of Metsatöll's song "Kui rebeneb taevas" talks about a feeling of impending doom as the heavy sky descends and engulfs everything in a fog of despair. The lyrics encourage the listener to stay strong and endure through this trying time, addressing them as "my sisters and my brothers." The second verse urges the listener to remain brave in the face of destruction, as the heavy boot of oppression stomps all over everything in its path. The third and fourth verses talk about natural disasters and sickness, urging the listener to remain strong and healthy even as those around them succumb to illness and death.
The chorus of the song ("When the sky tears and the earth cracks/We can still stand shoulder-to-shoulder/When the sky tears and the earth cracks/We'll come back stronger than ever") serves as an uplifting message among the otherwise dark subject matter, reminding the listener that even in the face of great destruction, they will be able to rebuild and come back stronger.
One interesting aspect of this song is that it was released as part of Metsatöll's 2004 album Hiiekoda, which is an album dedicated to the band's Estonian heritage. The lyrics, therefore, draw heavily on Estonian folk beliefs and ancient mythologies.
Line by Line Meaning
Püsige kindlad, mu õed ja mu vennad
Stay strong, my sisters and my brothers
Kui taevas ka raskena laskub
Even when the sky is heavy and falls
Muserdus vaaniva uduna embab
Crushed by the looming fog
Õed-vennad, pidage vastu
Sisters and brothers, hold on
Püsige vaprad, mu õed ja mu vennad
Stay brave, my sisters and my brothers
Raudsaabas kui rusudeks astub
As the iron boot tramples ruins
Tallab ja räsib ja rõhub see maad
Stomps and ravages and oppresses the land
Õed-vennad, pidage vastu
Sisters and brothers, hold on
Püsige kanged, mu õed ja mu vennad
Stay strong, my sisters and my brothers
Kui marupilv rahega kastnud
When the thunderclouds drench with hail
Põllud, jääteradest hävinud nad
Fields destroyed by frozen grains
Õed-vennad, pidage vastu
Sisters and brothers, hold on
Püsige terved, mu õed ja mu vennad
Stay healthy, my sisters and my brothers
Kui ümber kõik vinduvad katkus
As everyone around is weakened
Ja korinal seiskuvad kaaslaste rinnad
And the chests of comrades fall silent
Õed-vennad, pidage vastu
Sisters and brothers, hold on
Kui rebeneb taevas ja lõheneb maa
When the sky tears and the earth splits
Õlg-õlale naaldudes seista veel saab
Shoulder to shoulder, we can still stand
Kui rebeneb taevas ja lõheneb maa
When the sky tears and the earth splits
Me suurena tuleme taas
We will come back even greater
Püsige rõõmsad, mu õed ja mu vennad
Stay joyful, my sisters and my brothers
Kord vimm tormi-iili sees lahtub
Once the anger of the storm subsides
Ja õitsevad taas kord kõik külad ja linnad
And all villages and cities bloom again
Õed-vennad, pidage vastu
Sisters and brothers, hold on
Püsige lahked, mu õed ja mu vennad
Stay kind, my sisters and my brothers
Et kirbetand sapiaur lahkuks
So the bitter miasma disappears
Ja tagasi tulla ei mõistakski sinna
And never come back there again
Õed-vennad, pidage vastu
Sisters and brothers, hold on
Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AlejandroHernandez-ue6zq
Estonian best music ever
@MahlaMetsaMari
Agreed
@epluracas_orega
AMIK