This 2022 release was the third album from this Finnish surf rock band who comprise Mika Jämsä (lead guitar), Rasmus Tammik (rhythm guitar), Mauri Haapamäki (bass guitar) and Janne Torvikoski (drums). This is music which really takes me back to my youth, as while there are many influences at play here, it is surely The Shadows which have had the most impact. Unless you grew up in the UK in the late Fifties/early Sixties it is difficult to understand just how important they were, and according to Wikipedia are still the fifth most successful act ever on the UK singles chart, had four #1 EP’s under their own name and another four with Cliff, plus 69 UK chart singles from the 1950’s to the 2000’s, 35 credited to the Shadows and 34 to Cliff Richard and the Shadows.
All 12 tracks on this 36-minute-long album were written by Jämsä, and there are a couple which have definitely been heavily influenced by “Apache” and that rolling tribal drum pattern, while the lead guitar is full of the Marvin twang. The Tornadoes, Duane Eddy, there were many bands who brought this instrumental music to the fore, but for the most part it belongs to a certain period of time, and it is not something one often hears on the radio these days. However, there is no doubt Eldanka are doing their best to keep the genre alive and for all those who thought the scene had died out long ago it may be some surprise to find it is still around and there is a band in Finland is still doing their best to keep it alive.
Rating: 6/10
