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
New York
Waltari Lyrics
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The friends around me, four concrete walls
The silence inside doesn't tell the truth
Outside people i don't know
Tell me what they're waiting for
I close my eyes that i won't see
Squeezes his talisman for kicks
Too many people think too many different things
Chaos, all insanity
measuring the pain from me
Lying here, can't do anything
Unsatisfied with human rights
My mind just filled with those dark sights
that you spread now on TV
What's the impression you wanna hide??
Blessed be the icon of our times!
So let's stay indoors, beware of the dark
New York
New York
New York
I don't like to see your place
Living in unbalanced embrace
Behind the smile it feels unsafe
Without knowing what you praise
Someone's just telling how it is
and people swallow that peace of shit
The times, they have not changed at all
What's the impression you wanna hide??
So blessed be the icon of our times!
Let's stay indoors, beware of the dark...
New York
New York
New York
The lyrics to Waltari's song "New York" reflect a sense of despair, disillusionment, and even fear regarding the city that is often viewed as the epitome of success in American society. The singer finds himself lying on the floor surrounded by four concrete walls, with friends around him, but still feeling a profound sense of isolation and silence that doesn't reflect the truth. He is aware of the people outside, people he doesn't know, and their anticipation of something unknown, but he closes his eyes in order to avoid confronting reality.
The song provides a scathing critique of the social and political dynamics of power in New York - a city mired in chaos, insanity, and pain. The singer suggests that human rights are being neglected and that the media plays a role in spreading darkness and discontent. The central message suggests that the image of success and prosperity that New York represents is a façade built on exploitation, suffering and oppression.
The final lines of the song serve as an ominous warning as the singer advises that it is better to stay indoors and avoid the dark, possibly the dark side of humanity that is perpetuated in the city. This can be seen as a metaphor for escaping a society that promotes a destructive form of capitalism that seeks only to exploit and destroy those who are less fortunate.
Line by Line Meaning
Lying on the concrete floor
I'm in a desperate situation, lying on the cold hard ground
The friends around me, four concrete walls
My friends are with me, but we're trapped in this confined space
The silence inside doesn't tell the truth
Even though we're quiet, the situation is dire and the silence is deafening
Outside people i don't know
There are strangers outside
Tell me what they're waiting for
I'm curious about what their motivations and intentions are
I close my eyes that i won't see
I'm choosing to ignore what's happening outside by closing my eyes
Swears in the name of crusifix
Some people use religion to justify their actions
Squeezes his talisman for kicks
Others use objects or symbols to bring them comfort or relief
Too many people think too many different things
People have differing opinions and it can be difficult to agree on anything
Chaos, all insanity
The situation is chaotic and out of control, leading to mental distress
measuring the pain from me
Others are observing the pain I'm experiencing
Lying here, can't do anything
I'm helpless and cannot change the situation
Unsatisfied with human rights
There's a sense that basic human rights are not being satisfied
My mind just filled with those dark sights
I am consumed by negative images and thoughts
that you spread now on TV
The media is contributing to my distress by broadcasting negative news
What's the impression you wanna hide??
What are they trying to conceal or keep hidden?
Blessed be the icon of our times!
There's a false idol or leader that's being hailed as a savior
So let's stay indoors, beware of the dark
It's safer to stay indoors and avoid any unknown or threatening situations
I don't like to see your place
I don't find your environment or situation appealing
Living in unbalanced embrace
There's an uneven or unfair balance in society
Behind the smile it feels unsafe
People may appear happy or friendly, but there's a sense of danger or unease beneath the surface
Without knowing what you praise
People may not fully comprehend or understand what they're worshiping or following
Someone's just telling how it is
Someone is being truthful and honest about the situation
and people swallow that peace of shit
Unfortunately, some people are willing to accept lies or misinformation
The times, they have not changed at all
Despite the passing of time, things have not improved or progressed
Contributed by Sarah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.