The music of Teräsbetoni has a martial air to it, with lyrics glorifying a paganistic warrior lifestyle and a "brotherhood of metal". The style has received mixed reception, with many considering it to be exceedingly corny.
They very seldom, if ever, play their shows with shirts on and as a result, the audience often follows their example.
Their second album, Vaadimme Metallia (Trans. "We Demand Metal")was released in 2006 in two editions: A standard edition, and a limited edition with a differnt colour scheme on the cover, 3 bonus tracks and a DVD featuring live footage and videos for the songs "Vaadimme Metallia" and "Orjatar"
Third album, "Myrskyntuoja" (Trans. "Stormbringer") was released in summer of 2008 and it contains 12 songs.
Teräsbetoni also participated in Eurovision Song Contest for Finland with a song "Missä Miehet Ratsastaa (Trans. Where The Men Ride Forth)" in 2008, gaining 22th place with 35 points in the final.
In 2010, Teräsbetoni released their fourth album Maailma Tarvitsee Sankareita (World Needs Heroes), containing 11 songs.
Painajainen
Teräsbetoni Lyrics
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Tuppeen miekat vihdoinkin painuu
Jälkeen taiston ankaran on aika levon rauhaisan
Veljet vartioi, muut uinuu
Sydän hakka vieläkin
Miehet makaa jännittynein lihaksin
Vaikka leiri hiljenee ja uni tulee hiljalleen
Piinaa, huutaa
Painajainen taiston tuoksinaan palaa
Riivaa, raapii
Painajainen haavat uudelleen avaa
Käy soturit uuteen hyökkäykseen, uudelleen ja uudelleen
Armeija vihollisen luovuta ei
Kaatuu veljet sivuitta, ei kukkaan säästy kivuitta
Vääryys hallitsee mittei
Niin vangit näkyjen
Makaavat uneksien
Elävät kauhut tuskineen, iskevät miekan viholliseen
Hautaavat veljen kuolleen
The lyrics of Teräsbetoni's "Painajainen" are a haunting tribute to the aftermath of war. The first verse describes the aftermath of a battle, where the silence of the field is pierced only by the fading echoes of cries that have been swallowed up by the darkness. The swords are now sheathed, and the time for rest has finally come after a long and brutal fight. The brothers stand guard while the others sleep, and the singer's heart still pounds with the intensity of the battle.
The second verse portrays the continuing struggle that the soldiers face, even in the stillness of the camp. The nightmare of battle still haunts them, and they continue to suffer from the wounds, both physical and emotional. The pain is unrelenting, and the memories of the fight continue to plague them in their dreams. They cry out in agony as the dark visions of the battle come flooding back, exacerbating the agony of their wounds.
The chorus speaks of the soldiers being drawn into the battle once again, over and over, as they try to break the enemy's lines. However, even as they fight with all their might, they are unable to gain victory, and their comrades fall beside them in agony. The injustice of the fight is all-consuming, and many of them are haunted by the ghostly visions of their fallen brothers.
Overall, "Painajainen" effectively portrays the harrowing aftermath of war, particularly for those who fought in the battle. The lyrics express the endless suffering and continuing struggle of soldiers, long after the battle has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
Aukiolla hiljenee, hyytyy huudot pimeyteen
The cries freeze in the darkness as the clearing quiets down
Tuppeen miekat vihdoinkin painuu
The swords are finally sheathed
Jälkeen taiston ankaran on aika levon rauhaisan
After a harsh battle, it is time for peaceful rest
Veljet vartioi, muut uinuu
Brothers keep watch while others sleep
Sydän hakka vieläkin
The heart is still beating fast
Miehet makaa jännittynein lihaksin
Men lie with tense muscles
Vaikka leiri hiljenee ja uni tulee hiljalleen
Although the camp quiets down and sleep slowly comes
Ei henget rauhaa saa
The spirits do not find peace
Piinaa, huutaa
Torment, screams
Painajainen taiston tuoksinaan palaa
A nightmare of battle returns
Riivaa, raapii
It possesses and scratches
Painajainen haavat uudelleen avaa
A nightmare reopens wounds
Käy soturit uuteen hyökkäykseen, uudelleen ja uudelleen
The warriors go on a new attack, again and again
Armeija vihollisen luovuta ei
The enemy army does not surrender
Kaatuu veljet sivuitta, ei kukkaan säästy kivuitta
Brothers fall beside, no one is spared pain
Vääryys hallitsee mittei
Injustice rules without measure
Niin vangit näkyjen
Thus are the prisoners of visions
Makaavat uneksien
Lying dreaming
Elävät kauhut tuskineen, iskevät miekan viholliseen
Living horrors with pains, striking the enemy with a sword
Hautaavat veljen kuolleen
Burying a fallen brother
Contributed by Zoe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.