A pine-covered ridge outside Jonne Järvelä’s window provided the lyrical starting point for ‘Harjumaa,’ the streaming title track from JONNE’s forthcoming solo album. The folk metal project led by the KORPIKLAANI musician will release the album on December 18 through Combat Records. The song is available on Spotify and YouTube.
Järvelä describes the song’s connection between nature and recovery: ‘Melancholic yet hopeful, “Harjumaa” explores the power of nature within us. A person can be like a tree, standing strong on deep roots despite all the hardships they may face. As the chorus says, the sun always emerges from behind the grey clouds — and people, too, can find their feet again.’
Its writing began with an acoustic instrument and a view from home. ‘The song started taking shape on an acoustic guitar,’ Järvelä says. ‘When I was thinking about what to write lyrics about, I looked out of the window and saw a ridge covered with pine trees. So I thought I might as well write about that.’
Järvelä produced, mixed and mastered the album at his own Miehola Studios. Guest musicians include Kasper Mårtenson, whose work includes AMORPHIS, BARREN EARTH, MANNHAI and TURISAS, and the late guitarist Ben Woods, known for combining flamenco and metal.
The band includes bassist and vocalist Kärtsy Hatakka, known for his work with WALTARI, and accordionist Sami Perttula, also a member of KORPIKLAANI. Violinist John Ryan has appeared on Järvelä’s previous solo releases and is a longtime member of folk metal band CRUACHAN.
Before the album’s release, Järvelä will host a public preview at The Riff in Helsinki on December 11. The complete album will be played at the event, which begins at 6 p.m.; places are limited. At the time of the November 10 announcement, Järvelä was touring Canada with KORPIKLAANI and was scheduled to return home before December.
JONNE’s supplied discography lists ‘Harjumaa’ as a 2026 full-length. Earlier releases include the independently released single ‘Corteza’ from 2020, ‘Kallohonka’ from 2017 and the self-titled album from 2014. Both earlier albums were released through Playground Music Finland.
- Jonne Järvelä — vocals, guitar, mandolin, dobro, bass, percussion, programming and keyboards
- Jaana Järvelä — vocals and shaman drum
- Yoko Perttula — hurdy-gurdy and tin whistle
- Sami Perttula — accordion
- Kärtsy Hatakka — vocals and bass
- John Ryan — violin
