I listen to Wintersun for the first time ever⎮Metal Reactions #49

UPDATED PO BOX ADDRESS! (please do not send anything to the old PO Box in Asheville, as it WILL be returned to sender)
PO Box 1141 Stillwater, OK 74076 Today I listen to Wintersun for the first time ever.
Follow me on Instagram - @imakaiya :)
Twitter: / imakaiya
Facebook page: / kaiyapelletier
Join The Mosh Pit on Discord! We talk metal, we share memes and much more! / discord
Check out my music - Kaiya On The Mountain / kaiyaonthemountain
SEND ME VIDEOS/RECOMENDATIONS: (either through Google Drive or email) ~ [e-mail]
SEND ME STUFF: PO Box 18061 Asheville, NC 28814
Business Inquiries can be sent to [e-mail]
TIME STAMPS:
Hi & Subscribe :) 00:00
1. Sons of Winters and Stars 01:30
Final Thoughts 26:00
My name is Kaiya Pelletier and I am documenting my metal journey as I discover and listen to metal music for the first time ever. I'm in my mid 20's and I've been a singer songwriter and performer for over 10 years. Currently I'm in 3 bands and gigging around in Asheville, NC where I live. I have a Bloodhound named Spooner, I love mexican food, Stephen King, collecting CD's and cassettes and my favorite movies are tied between Jurrassic Park and Alien.
Current Moshpit Count: 13,783

[@KreshDraven6]

Wintersun is truly one of a kind. Brilliant band, brilliant musicians and fantastic compositions. All their songs are an unique experience

[@Tolucoregonian]

I wish I was listening Wintersun for the first time, again. 🤘

[@HC-Alfred]

i was also blown away, when i first time heard wintersun and their music is still one of my alltime favourite! one band, which gave me almost the same feeling was lorna shore with their new vocalist, Will Ramos.

[@stevenalexander6713]

Wintersun is like the George Martin of the metal realm: they write amazing, epic masterpieces, but they take FOREVER to release anything new. My favorite song by them is "Time," but this is nonetheless an amazing song and a solid introduction to the band. It practically feels like an entire concert wrapped up in 14 minutes. I also love all the songs from their first album, minus Beautiful Death, which is only okay. I know it's been a busy time, so thanks for getting to this, finally.

[@HellBrYnger]

good stuff takes time

[@MrDicDr]

Great reaction! "Land of snow and sorrow" and "Time" from this same rehearsals are must, first one being my favorite from those three. Also many will suggest you "Loneliness", but I think you need to first hear first three songs of the album (The Forest Seasons) before listening that track. It gives it so much more. Cheers from Finland!

[@Ironsix6six]

Time is so good

[@karljensen6768]

I concuuuuurr ❤️

[@futtbux]

Teemu (blue guitar) has a piezo pickup system in addition to his regular pickups and, I believe, he just hits a switch on his guitar and it switches from his standard pickups to his piezo ones to get that crisp acoustic sound.

[@Steven-lb4bl]

His guitar always looks green to me

[@Finkele1]

As we now know as he is filling up kiko....he plays better. Always been really clean player. Many guitarists can do a lot of things (me included) but he plays so clean all...fucking all. 😁

[@Arthemesia]

More than likely. Unless they used an acoustic for the recording, but live he definitely uses that. I have one in my JP 6 Majesty and its awesome to use

[@metalmanny666]

I’ve seen them live. And yes. Wintersun is an absolute experience. I hope to see them live again someday

[@Dipper737]

Wintersun are great and one of my favorite bands. Time is a good one for next up. I can't see you have reacted to Nightwish tough, so now you HAVE to go do that as well. I recommend you starting with Romanticide from Wacken 2013 if you haven't heard it yet. That whole concert is a marvel to behold, so please dig in.

[@dolla3975]

I concur!

[@seppokarjalainen2409]

I concur!

[@JayTor2112]

This essentially is live, or the same way they do it at a show, with the backing symphonic tracks. They just mixed it perfectly for this video of course.

[@finnishculturalchannel]

When Jari Mäenpää was still with Ensiferum: Ensiferum - Little Dreamer

[@Bonehead777]

I never get bored of this. One of my favourite metal tracks ever.

[@bobsuisse2]

@Kaiya: the drummer Kai and the bass player Jukka are also part of the band Nightwish now with the goddess valkyrie Floor Jansen ;D. Hope you will react to "Ghost Love Score" Wacken live 2013. It will blow your mind! Btw Epica and Nightwish are the benchmark of Symphonic Metal.

[@scottchadburn1535]

Great reaction, thank you 😃👏🏻 As I’m sure has been already said, you will love the track Time from the same rehearsal session. It’s genius 😃🤘🏻

[@MountainMetal]

Finally! the girl gets around to the mighty Wintersun. Welcome, child! We've been waiting for you! Lovely reaction to these monsters of epic folk metal. Winter Madness from Tuska 2013 Remastered is a great example of how amazing they were when Yari still played and sang live. The guitar work is... almost other worldly. The sound is from the board while the video is from the crowd but close enough to feel like you're there. Please check it out. Yari is one of those impossibly talented guys who can almost do everything involved in bringing an album from concept to reality. People can slight him for this or that, especially how long it can take for new material, but talent like his doesn't come around every day, and ya gotta take it how you can get it. Great job! More!!!

[@marcbaur677]

I allways have to laugh when Kai throw away his Drumstick at the end. 😃

[@guitar_noodle]

The Blue guitar is an Ibanez. Teemu is an Ibanez endorsement artist. He has a piezo pick up installed on his guitar. It gives the electric guitar a steel string acoustic sound. Likewise there are guitar pedals that are acoustic simulators if you don’t have a piezo. Like many symphonic metal bands or bands with extra instrumentations they play to a backing track in live Situations. In which case, they have to play to a click track as well.

[@Torbjorn.Lindgren]

I'm wondering if the "studio intervention" might have been the explaination why Time I was released separately instead of waiting for Time II as originally planned. Time I came out in 2012 but Time II is still "in progress"! Multiple sources say Jari is a perfectionist and apparently some of the newer tracks he's using 1600+ tracks instead of "mere" 200+ in the songs on Time I... I guess modern hardware means he no longer needs to worry about this and can just put everything into separate tracks. Acoustic guitar sound - others have said they have a piezo pickup on their electric guitars and that's how they get that "non-electronic" sound, I expect it's one the options on the "select pickup(s)" switch on the guitar(s). There may be additional processing too, either tracked or via pedals, it does sound very good. I was told all three (rythm guitar/Jari, lead guitar and bass player) use fully custom guitar/bass and all four are "signature artists" so the hardware configurations may be very different from "stock" models. Vocals: Jari (lead vocals) got tubercolosis during his military service (mandatory in Finland) and required surgery that removed about half of one of his lungs - no idea how he does those long screams! AFAIK these days Jari only does the rythm guitar in the studio (IE original recordings), then when they're touring they add a session rythm guitar to free him up to concentrate on vocals. And as other have noted these days they also need a session drummer (2017-) and a session bass player (2021-) due to both of those now being full members of Nightwish which has a heavy touring schedule, both are still permanent members and still play in the studio version (like Jari). As I understand it Jari writes the entire score except drums, and Kai writes the drums. As other has said, Time from the same rehersal session is a good second (or first) song, it's different enough to showcase additional aspects of Wintersun.

[@HumayunQureshi]

Love old Wintersun. If you like it, check out the first couple of Ensiferum albums, too.

[@justinvermilyea7640]

You are in for a treat ma gurl 😙

[@justinvermilyea7640]

Thank you kaiya wintersun is amazing and right during the winter solstice thank you unholy queen of metal 🤘

[@darrellhamblen3009]

I used to play " Death and healing" while my son was still in his mother's belly. Wintersun is a great band with very deep songs

[@daveemerson6549]

Kaiya, since you dug Jari's vocals and stuff, you'd probably dig the stuff he did when he was in Ensiferum (their frst 2 albums, "Ensiferum" and "Iron"). Even if you don't do them for the channel, check them out.

[@mindtraveller100]

She has to do Ensiferum.

[@rolsen1304]

Wholehearted yes for Ensiferum, those two albums took me from casual metal enjoyer to metalhead.

[@davidlagassee8236]

the drummer is now the drummer for nightwish as well. the bass replaced marco until he returns if he returns. wintersun is still together whenever they aren't playing with the ensamble band nightwish.

[@pen7759]

It came to my mind to me that have you ever listened to Nightwish and Floor Jansen ? If not, you loooose a Lott! "Ghost Love Score" Nightwish Wacken 2013. Anyway thanks!

[@neuroticgothguy]

fun fact (i guess): the lead singer/frontman/founder/song writer Jari basically only has like one lung, he lost the other one from tuberculosis from his time in the Finnish military (compulsory service in Finland). so his singing and just overall energy is that much more impressive once you know that. And yes, that is Kai Hahto from Nightwish on drums. edit: and yes, they do sound this good LIVE!

[@jkorkea]

He only had a part of his other lung removed, he still has like 1,75 to 1,5 lungs left 😄 but sure sounds more dramatic if you put it like that haha

[@marinedude_06]

Loneliness (Winter) by them is in an amazing track worth checking out. Personally my favorite. It's very beautiful.

[@tmolne117]

Great reaction. Glad you discovered these guys

[@korvkioskshelvete]

Your analysis and review of the song is pretty fucking great considering you're a new metal head. "Immortal/Epica folk". Couldn't have said it better myself!

[@Patralgan]

26:00 The crazy part is that the second part of the album, Time II is only being released this year, 2024. That's how crazy of a production this is. BTW, the song that you just listened, Sons of Winter and Stars has over 1600 tracks in it, so I consider it to be a song which has at least as much music in it than an average full length album has. You can search youtube for Sons of Winter and Stars project demonstration videos where Jari goes through the productions with different instruments etc. and it's just completely insane.

[@Martee234]

Wintersun - TIME, Wintersun - Awaken from the Dark Slumber. You gonna sink into Wintersun without coming back!

[@w-james9277]

Just listen to their self titled debut album. It's killer!

[@miguel213]

that's the best one

[@juantimer]

Circling, circling still, just get to the real Nightwish deep dive already lol

[@riittasihvonen2011]

TIME is their greatest masterpiece.

[@samikoljonen2646]

All string instruments are indeed Ibanez brand. And yes they are from Finland, promised land of heavy metal :)

[@Gibbetoo]

symbol on guitar = time. i think. drummer Kai Hahto --> Nightwish, bassist Jukka Koskinen --> Nightwish.

[@Danysh01]

You have to react eternal darkness by them next, it's one of my favs wintersun songs, jaris vocals range it's insane one of the most underrated for sure. great reaction

[@norkannen]

Wintersun who have been filling up their friends in Nightwishs ranks when they need peeps 😂❤️😎😈🇧🇻

[@davidviteris]

Was hoping you were doing "Time" from that same session, alas :( This one's good, but Time's just an incredible song. Hope you get to it in the future. Cheers!

[@Patralgan]

need more Wintersun reactions

[@mindtraveller100]

Yeah, Kaiya, i saw them live the only time they palyed in my country. It was great (obviously). And it was only them, no guest musicians. Ah, and they had (and still have) another guitar player besides the ones you see in the video, he joined the band to allow Jari to only sing, not play guitar, when performing live.

[@ThaBeatConductor]

Asim is gone bruh.

[@kingmagpie666]

Insomnium should’ve won that poll 😭

[@scottsharp6207]

I forgot how good wintersun is. Glad I watched the video.

[@117k70017]

Great reaction! The delays for Wintersun are most due to Jari's stubborness and perfectionist mindset. Next Insomnium or Amorphis (for example Bee)

[@mike28003]

And the amount of tracks they have to mix

[@Patralgan]

9:10 lol, you can't believe how many (wintersun) reactions have "that dog moment" :D

[@watzesnow7169]

I saw them finally 2018 in Wacken (2006 i was too drunk😅). They were live as awesome as on record, but whith the crowd around...no f***ing words. Lost my voice there🤘

[@dac2007]

The only problem with Wintersun is that they take too many years to release new material Time I where this song is on is amazing but Time II is like 15 years on the making The reason is the production is insane as Jari puts together like a million layered tracks but still, it's a shame since they are so good edit: well you already discovered all this lol

[@andrewichigo]

I think you'd probably like the pagan black metal finnish band Havuukrunu and their song Kunnes Varjot Saa from their most recent album

[@pen7759]

Hello there imakaiya ! I did like your accurate comments, "acoustic sounding guitar" and so on. Not so many mentioned or even noticed it, some did, but I´m sure it passed many ears. You know the what are you talking about. Yes, an incredible band with a personal and awesome sound. You got a new subscriber here, hope we see Wintersun together in the future. Thank you for your comments. Take care.

[@tony367]

The tempo change at 18.38 is so freaking good.

[@Ana198]

I have seen them live about 5 times. This song is insane live every time. While this album was great, the debut is insane, one of the best albums ever for me, hence my profile pic. They are great live, i just wish i had more opportunities to see them live. Being a Finn i should have been able to see them many more times live, the last time was over 4 years ago. No wonder they are bleeding members to Nightwish.

[@karljensen6768]

Jari Maenpaa leadsinger is a multiinstrumental genious, and the amount of tracks to this song could easily become more than a thousand. He edits everything himself and come to my mind that he is missing 25% of his lungs, due to illness he caught in the army 😳 Something that doesn't keep him back. They do not throw anything on the street they can't stand up for, so it takes a good deal of time for every release. This is also a reason why a lot of people likes to taunt them, but I for one, agrees with Jari on that point 🤗 Quality over quantity 🤗🥰 Greetings from Denmark 🇩🇰🇩🇰

[@stpfs9281]

Yep, layers, layers and more layers! I love how Jari is not screaming all the time. Those guitars! Someone can translate the Kanji? Water for the drummer, Kai, who also plays for Nightwish, with Jukka the bass. Kai is one side of the studio, facing all the guitars together. You did Nightwish with Annette, you must trywith Tarja and especially Floor, Wacken 2013, Buenos Aires, Wembley, Tampere...

[@Mattical1980]

I highly recommend listening to WinterSun's first self-titled album. There's not a bad track on the whole album. Everyone listens to these songs (for obvious reasons), but in my opinion the first album is superior.

[@e.j.2279]

Yes. The original/proto Wntersun was just Jari doing all the music except drums done by Kai Hahto. Under the "badge" of "Metal" one is allowed to experient and that's why subgenres are endless the music created vast. Take Nergal (Adam Darski) from Behemoth (Great band from Poland) and the his (metal) americana project "Me and That Man" - just check the amount of (extreme) metal performers collaborating with him (and John Porter) . And as you're so much talk about Epica check "Apocalyptica & Epica - Rise Again (Official Video)" to see Simone backed with cellos and drums. Yeah, thats Metal too. PS. And death/black metal is so serious that one has to every now and then see/listen/read the comics by the "Belzebubs"

[@Patralgan]

23:00 I feel like more than 99% of bands simply make songs. Really, really good songs occasionally, but Wintersun just goes beyond where very very few bands go.

[@aalidas8951]

you should check out Sonata Arctica. Deathaura is a great song by them

[@Sp0cka]

"Wintersun - Time" next from the same session!

[@milosceriman3039]

Now I must play "Killer Riff" on repeat for a few hours. Again.

[@ACorpseWithoutSoul]

Greetings from Helsinki, Finland. Hometown of Wintersun. Well, Jari is really great singer but King Diamond is a King. I'm huge King Diamond & Mercyful Fate fan since 1987. Stay heavy!

[@milangabris9494]

in the "acoustic" part he had that kinda sound because of the pick ups in guitar don´t know which brand exactly but you can make these sounds thanks to those pick ups and the guitar brand I think they both were using Ibanez those are their custome guitars

[@fantus01]

that his an Ibanez with piezo pickups in the bridge

[@milangabris9494]

@@fantus01 wasn't sure about it thanks 🙂

[@Legion_Victrix]

Wintersun is simply put: EPIC. As for your comment on King Diamond... you should listen to Anaahl Nathrahk's signer Dave Hunt... he gets out there too. Cheers

[@lujalainen1]

this is like willow,great journey :)

[@aleclamb-venecia4838]

So looking forward to Meshuggah!

[@arnepietruszewski9255]

One more reason for you Kaiya to make a Nightwish reaction. The bass player and the drummer in this song are session members/ members of Nightwish right now.

[@KillerwhaleTRX]

Regarding the acoustic sound on the guitar, many players have a piezo bridge that they can engage (Opeth, Dream Theater etc) PRS are prob the brand who do this on production guitars but many players have them on their signature guitars. That said, Opeth started with acoustic pedals.....

[@jean-yveschateauxdrummer4256]

Wintersun are beasts and so talented :) If you have some minutes to spare one day i would like to have your opinion on the french melodic metal band ORKHYS ("blood ties", "The devil and the impudent" or "home" ) :) This band mixes many genres and uses a celtic harp on many songs :)

[@duncanwyer2460]

🇬🇧 Norfolk with you Nightwish army as two of this group are now part of nw

[@r.h.7633]

God bless you

[@hansithebard]

when they play live the choir and orchestra parts are sampled, it would be too expensive to bring those elements live. That was to answer your question.

[@Kvasaari]

Epica sometimes makes good metal. Wintersun makes metal.

[@RangePisteMies]

Nice! Maybe more metal from Finland like Before the dawn and Amorphis, cheers!

[@DennisTrovato]

Oh jurr

[@ravenwda007]

Let's get some Insomnium in here!!! You gotta hear them too!

[@imaKaiya]

Yes I definitely will! I'm seeing Insomnium in April and I'm so excited. Thanks for watching!

[@ravenwda007]

@@imaKaiya OMG! I’m going to see them too! Toronto!

[@serutami]

Hello! I don't know if you know Ensiferum - a Finnish folk-metal band, founded in 1995. About 3 years ago I was at their concert, they put on a great show. If you don't know - maybe it's even better. It will be easier for you to record another episode with a reaction, the only thing left to do is choose the song. I suggest a couple - Burning Leaves, Lai Lai Hei, Into Battle, From Afar and Midsummer Magic :) Regards!

[@DennisTrovato]

Gotta do "Darkness and Frost & Time" from the same session.

[@gieniulast7543]

Jack Russel Terriers meat is great for homemade sausage.

[@ericsaari2901]

Found your channel and saw a distinct lack of Lovebites. My favorite metal band right alongside Nightwish, although Nightwish is something entirely different, being symphonic. Lovebites is pure thrash/power metal, with modern influences as well as influences from the 80s. In my opinion, the best metal band of the last 30 years and the best metal band active today, but those are fighting words, so I'd prefer you decide for yourself. 🙂 The only issue is what to recommend. Honestly, you'd have to listen to a few of theirs to get a fair shake of them, but I suppose I'll recommend Holy War, live from Zepp, as that is the staple choice for first time reactions. If you pursue them further, I'd have to recommend Break the Wall, Set the World on Fire, Thunder Vengeance, Frozen Serenade and Swan Song (with the Chopin intro), all live, but that's a lot. I hope you check them out, and I then hope you return to them, but either way - enjoy!

[@norkannen]

Have you actually not listen to either Nightwish nor Sabaton? Or did my search fool me ?😋🇧🇻 Glad to see that u did Dimmu thou 🥳😈🇧🇻

[@patrickweber8329]

Throughout this I kept wondering if she ever actually listened to Amon Amarth

[@dizzykincade7831]

Guys, my driver is near me.

[@inbe8320]

Hello. If you haven't heard, listen Kalmah is an underrated fmdm band.

[@Mike-mc3sh]

I thought she didn't like King Diamond because of the vocals. But lately it sounds like maybe they grew on her? What happened?

[@jean-francoisturcotte6275]

This video reminds me why Kai Hahto seems to be on a very relaxing (and well-desserved) vacation while playing drums for Nightwish.

[@jean-yveschateauxdrummer4256]

Very nice reaction, thank you :) That's not Wintersun but you may have a look at the french melodic metal band ORKHYS "Blood ties" or "The Devil and the Impudent" :) you may like it ;)

[@metalcrusader6662]

Could you please checkout HammerFall - Brotherhood or Hammer of Dawn, they are a Swedish heavy metal band formed in 1993! Very melodic and catchy choruses! The singer got a strong voice.

[@ravenwda007]

Yeah Wintersun melt your face off live.

[@queteimporta919]

You should react to Dethklok, a virtual band that appeared on a show on AdultSwim called Metalocalypse. The songs are really good and creative.

[@PlacidDragon]

Or just watch the "Batmetal" trilogy here you KZbin :D

[@queteimporta919]

@@PlacidDragon Nah, the first one was good, latter it became boring.

[@juantimer]

Doodly ding dong tick tock ... Hey they predicted TikTok!

[@ParadoxTimeline]

I think you would like Ne Obliviscaris.

[@marinedude_06]

Where are you from? I'm detecting a southern accent in your voice.

[@tony367]

You should watch this cover, RAGE OF LIGHT - Twilight Of The Thunder God (AMON AMARTH COVER) its fun.

[@orangeguppie6897]

Love the band, love this song, don't like covering the video .

[@libertedepensee6421]

I like you reaction. It could be good if you can react also to the their other song called: Time

[@Pave999]

Time II D-71 😉

[@onearthonelegion]

N E O B L I V I S C A R I S == E Q U U S

[@keeperofknowledge4120]

Jari wrote most of the early Ensiferum too (another good group to check out). A musical genius, just not much of a business man lol.

[@KillerwhaleTRX]

Its not a song - Its a effin workout!!!!

[@jukkap.5722]

i think its time to check out Nightwish 🙂

[@0LaCCy0]

15:47 sooo.. PRETTY :D

[@randomman4938]

Kai just ripping it up here. So glad Jukka got him to be his replacement in Nightwish.

[@smaeeb]

I respect you no fu pantis thaks

[@yankeedude252]

A keyboardist could never play all of the tracks they would need. There's something like 200+ tracks to these songs. By the way, if you haven't checked out the entire Time I album, you should. It's the best album ever written, and anybody who says otherwise is wrong.

[@Jan_K1]

Kaiya please note the album "Passage" by Samael Album Reaction someday would be aweasome