Most of the band's music is written by Hatakka. Waltari's lyrics often deal with personal feelings of anxiety, loneliness and the cruelty of the world, often with heavy irony and sarcasm.
The name Waltari is a reference to the popular Finnish author Mika Waltari, a favourite author of guitarist Jariot Lehtinen.
Waltari was formed in 1986 in Helsinki, Finland, by Kärtsy Hatakka (vocals and bass), Jariot Lehtinen (guitars) and Sale Suomalainen (drums). Sami Yli-Sirniö joined as second guitarist in 1989, a year after the release of their first EP, Mut Hei.
Their first album, Monk Punk was released in 1991. As the title suggests, this album was mostly punk. Their next album Torcha! (1992) and it was with this album that Waltari started blending various musical styles into the sound that would become their own.
After releasing a compilation of early work under the title Pala Leipää (1993), the band went on to release So Fine! (1994), an album similar to Torcha!. Their next album, Big Bang (1995) is to date their biggest success. The album concentrates on mixing techno with heavy metal.
In 1995 Roope Latvala (current second guitarist of Children of Bodom) joined the band, replacing Sami Yli-Sirniö. During this time, Hatakka was working with conductor Riku Niemi on a project combining heavy metal with classical music. This project eventually became known as Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! Death Metal Symphony in Deep C. The show was performed in 1995, and the album was released in 1996.
The year 1997 saw Space Avenue, a more progressive work containing more electronic drums, as well as a collaboration with Apocalyptica. In 1998, in honour of the band's ten-year anniversary, the band released a compilation titled Decade.
In 1999 Hatakka was working on yet another metal/classical collaboration, and this gave rise to the stage show Evangelicum. This production differed from Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! in that it contained more than just music: the stage show contained music, ballet and a light show. An album of Evangelicum was not released.
Waltari's next album Radium Round (1999), featured a strong pop influence. After Radium Round, the band passed out of the public eye, working on less main-stream releases such as the Metal / Yoik crossover Channel Nordica (2000) and the punk EP Back To Persepolis (2001). However, these releases were very hard to obtain, and for a while Waltari only survived through its live shows. In 2001, the band's old guitarist Sami Yli-Sirniö returned, and Roope Latvala left the band.
In 2004 Waltari came back with an all-new studio album, Rare Species. The album was well received by critics, and an extensive tour put Waltari back on the map.
Waltari released their newest album called "Below Zero" in fall of 2009.
1986
Helsinki, Finland
Kärtsy Hatakka
Jariot Lehtinen
Sami Yli-Sirniö
Sami Yli-Sirniö
Roope Latvala
Janne Parviainen
Mika Järvelainen
Ville Veikko Vehviläinen
Move
Waltari Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
John Doe:
I decided to go on though it hurt me so
You lost your memory and I lost my soul
Was it good, was it bad, was it just the same
Through the past darkly, and we lost the game
I never realized how things really went
She said we were in the land of metals
And we made the wrong decision and we found only death
The Angel:
World - you see - is in your eyes
You see the truth and you see the lies
How come is the world so bad?
It's up to you what you want to add
John Doe:
But you see, this poor friend, how is he now?
He's in the world of confusion - deep in the mud
How can you tell it's own fault what he did?
You made a yell of death and then he was hid
How can you tell it was right what you did?
You took us away from our normal trip
It makes no sense to come here to die
Is there sense at all, should I still try?
The Angel:
World - you see - is in your eyes
He will be well, he can feel his files
In this place on one can die
It's up to you, if you want to lie
John Doe:
(Everyday you want to survive)
We are poor, lost soldiers and we don't know how
We can pass this test we are in, now
We are living in the land of poverty
We don't even know if "I" am for "me"
You threw us there into this symphony
Or the two kinda metals, when I choose I'll see
If it's wrong I'll be dead, if it's right I'll be free
That's how I'm gonna pay for my destiny
The Angel:
Don't be scared, you see with you eyes
You see the truth and you see the lies
Go and take your friend with you
It's up to you if you want to move
Jone Doe:
Move, move
The Angel:
Move!
The lyrics to Waltari's song "Move" are complex and open to interpretation, but they seem to explore the themes of memory loss, regret, and the struggle to find one's place in a chaotic world. The first verse is sung by John Doe, who appears to be haunted by a past mistake that resulted in both the loss of his memory and his sense of self. He expresses confusion about the decisions he made and wonders if he and the angel he's speaking to are really in the "land of metals," where they seem to have found only death.
The angel replies with a cryptic message about the nature of the world, saying that it's up to John to decide whether to add to its goodness or its badness. John then asks about a friend who seems to be suffering in the world of confusion, and the angel encourages him to take his friend with him as he moves forward. The song ends with the repeated command to "move," suggesting that although the past may be difficult to let go of, it's important to keep moving forward and seek out new experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
I decided to go on though it hurt me so
Despite the pain it caused me, I chose to continue forward.
You lost your memory and I lost my soul
Both of us suffered greatly in our experiences together.
Was it good, was it bad, was it just the same
I am unsure if the outcome was positive or negative or had a neutral effect.
Through the past darkly, and we lost the game
We made mistakes in the past and failed to achieve what we set out to.
I never realized how things really went
I did not fully grasp the situation and its consequences at the time.
And where this angel is, and what she meant
The nature and significance of this angel remains unclear to me.
She said we were in the land of metals
The angel told us we were in a place of abundance and opportunities.
And we made the wrong decision and we found only death
Our poor choices led to negative outcomes and even death.
World - you see - is in your eyes
The world as you perceive it is shaped by your own perceptions.
You see the truth and you see the lies
You can distinguish between truth and falsehood.
How come is the world so bad?
Why is the world in such a negative state?
It's up to you what you want to add
You have the power to change the world through your own actions.
But you see, this poor friend, how is he now?
Can you tell me how my friend is faring?
He's in the world of confusion - deep in the mud
My friend is lost and struggling.
How can you tell it's own fault what he did?
Can you really attribute all of his problems to his own actions?
You made a yell of death and then he was hid
Your proclamation caused my friend to disappear.
How can you tell it was right what you did?
Are you sure that your actions were justified?
You took us away from our normal trip
Your intervention altered our lives in an unexpected way.
It makes no sense to come here to die
It seems pointless to come to this place only to die.
Is there sense at all, should I still try?
Is there any point to continuing on, or should I give up?
He will be well, he can feel his files
My friend will recover and regain his bearings.
In this place on one can die
This place is safe and no harm will come to you here.
Don't be scared, you see with you eyes
Do not be afraid, trust your own perceptions.
Go and take your friend with you
Bring your friend along with you as you go.
It's up to you if you want to move
Whether or not to take action is ultimately your decision.
We are poor, lost soldiers and we don't know how
We are struggling and have lost our sense of direction.
We can pass this test we are in, now
We have the ability to overcome the challenges we face.
We are living in the land of poverty
We are residing in a place of scarcity and lack.
We don't even know if "I" am for "me"
We are uncertain about our own identities and selves.
You threw us there into this symphony
You placed us in this situation or environment.
Or the two kinda metals, when I choose I'll see
I will learn whether this place is as rich in resources as you claim.
If it's wrong I'll be dead, if it's right I'll be free
If it is a mistake to come here, I will suffer dire consequences, but if not, I will experience liberation.
Move!
Take action, proceed forward with purpose.
Contributed by Vivian D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.