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Moonsorrow is a Finnish pagan metal band formed in Helsinki in 1995. Musically, the band incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal in their sound. The band call their sound "epic heathen metal" and try to distance themselves from the term "Viking metal". They have distanced themselves from other folk metal bands, emphasising that their music is Neopaganism and spirituality and is challenging for its listeners, rather than happy or danceable. The band members have varying levels of pagan belief but they draw on pagan spirituality for lyrics and inspiration.
Their debut album Suden uni (), recorded in early 2000, was released in early 2001, along with Tämä ikuinen talvi (), a re-release of a 1999 demo. Suden uni combined Finnish paganism and folk music elements. After recruiting Mitja Harvilahti and Markus Eurén, Moonsorrow started playing live, releasing Voimasta ja kunniasta () in late 2001. It was followed by their 2003 release Kivenkantaja (), and Verisäkeet () in 2005. The album is also their first to use ambient sounds such as birdsong and crackling fire in between tracks.
In January 2006 the band played their first United States show at the Heathen Crusade Metalfest in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. On 7 March 2006, Moonsorrow announced a two-album contract with Spinefarm Records, and that their next album was slated for release in late 2006. On 19 June it was revealed that the upcoming album would feature guest vocals by Thomas Väänänen, the former vocalist of Thyrfing; Viides luku – Hävitetty () was released in January 2007. The album contained only two tracks and displayed more overt influence from progressive rock.
An Extended Play called Tulimyrsky () was released in 2008. The EP is over one hour long and contains one new song (the title track), two remakes of old songs, and two cover songs. It was released worldwide by Spinefarm Records, and in May the German label Drakkar Entertainment released it in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
In Fall 2010, Moonsorrow entered the studio to record their sixth full-length studio album Varjoina kuljemme kuolleiden maassa (). The album was released on 21 February 2011 through Spinefarm Records.
In April 2012 Moonsorrow announced on their official website that they have signed a deal with Century Media Records. The band commented: "We are thrilled to start working with Century Media, a label that is home to many fellow artists already! We never make our music half way or with compromises and we know our art is in good hands with people who have the same mentality in running a record label. Now, after a year since the release of our last album we are ready to begin creating something new. The new chapter in this epic journey of Moonsorrow!"
In June 2013, the band announced a vinyl box set of its collected works to be released through Blood Music. Given its planned size of thirteen LP record, it was advertised as the largest metal box set in history. Entitled Heritage: 1995–2008 – The Collected Works, the box set was released in 2014, and ended up consisting of fourteen LPs. (The same label's box set for the Norwegian black metal band Emperor, released in 2017, was intended to outstrip it in size.)
The band's seventh album Jumalten aika () was released on 1 April 2016 through Century Media.
/ref> They have denied accusations of far-right ideology many times in the past.
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