Dear Friends, Fans and Followers. Welcome to the place where film and music combine to worship nature and darkness. Welcome to the ultimate heathen documentary. Welcome to Home of the Wind: A History of Moonsorrow.

Moonsorrow is the essence of Finland made music. Formed in 1995, when the extreme metal world was starting to be saturated of black metal, their unique approach to music soon made them become one of the pioneering bands in pagan metal, or as they call their own art, Epic Heathen Metal. Their sound changed a lot through the years—they have been the most epic, the calmest, the brightest and the darkest, but one thing always remained: their unmistakable personal imprint, what can be recognized, always and only, now and ever, as the Moonsorrow sound.

There were two young cousins behind that idea, Henri and Ville Sorvali, who were soon joined by three more musicians who shared the same vision. Twenty years later, those five teenagers have spent more than half of their lives in Moonsorrow. Home of the Wind will be their history, as told by themselves, as spoken by their own voices.

 

Moonsorrow is a unique band in many aspects, not only musically. Their relation to Nature and to Finland is very deep, as is their vision and philosophy. In Moonsorrow, the term "Pagan" Metal is not vain. It encompasses a profound respect for all of Mother Nature's forces and beings, as well as a lifestyle based on learning from the past, living the present and looking at the future. Paganism will be the essence of Home of the Wind that will pervade everything else.

We are working with a very strong cinematic approach. This is often overlooked in documentaries. There are too many cases of documentaries that offer a great deal of the most interesting information... in a visually plain way. Home of the Wind: A History of Moonsorrow will have a clear beginning and ending, an artistic visual treatment, the closest attention to detail, the most careful photography. It won't matter if someone is not familiar with Moonsorrow or paganism: we're making a movie, and it will be a movie worth watching.

This documentary is built upon the Unofficial Moonsorrow Biography, and therefore, it will tell the history of the band, from the beginning to the present, as told by its protagonists through carefully conducted interviews. It will show you all the locations relevant to the band and its members. The forests and lakes they got their inspiration from. The rehearsal rooms. The secret cabin in the forest where Ville records his vocals. The bedrooms where the demos were conceived and recorded when the musicians were still starting to develop their immense talent. In other words: you will enter the home of Moonsorrow.

This is an independent project from fans, for the fans. No discographic labels are involved, no distributors, no market-imposed deadlines, only sheer passion and love for music. This is Leo & Grilo, this is Jörmungandr Media & Unofficial Moonsorrow Biography, this is a core team of over 10 people and growing, this is a legion of over 1,300 followers! And the best part is that we have the one and only thing that allowed the project to grow from the "unlikely idea" stage to the reality it is nowadays: the support from the Moonsorrow members. The best art is made when motivations are purely artistic!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He can define his day-by-day life with just a simple word: Metal. Leo dedicates the 100% of his extra time to his passion, without expecting more than unforgettable moments. Born and raised in Argentina, the director, photographer and graphic designer behind Jörmungandr Media has also lived in Valencia, Spain, where he studied Audiovisual Communication and founded the webzine The Breathless Sleep in 2011. He later moved to London, UK, where he currently lives and works. He works closely with the London venue The Underworld, where he usually shoots and interviews bands. What else can we say about him? His interests include skateboarding, meditation, moshing like a goat and of course: neglecting the minimum healthy sleep to take Home of the Wind to the highest level. 

 

 

 

 

 

Hailing from Galicia, Spain, Abel 'Grilo' do Demo is the writer of the one and only Unofficial Moonsorrow Biography. His understanding of music radically changed in December 2006, when he first listened to an album called Hävitetty by a band he had never heard of. He later wrote the abovementioned biography, which received the attention of a few other die-hard fans around the world and led to a closer contact with the band members. Since then, he travelled half of Europe to see Moonsorrow concerts, interviewed the band several times and currently administers the Epic Heathen Forum. Currently living in Hungary, Grilo has a degree in Translation and Interpreting and his interests include languages, history and deciding what Moonsorrow-related project to start next.

 

 

 

 

It all started in February 2015, when Grilo travelled to England to see Moonsorrow live in York. On his way there, he spent a few hours in London, where Leo brought up his big idea. Since then and for the following 1 year and 3 months, they/we worked as hard as we could to figure out a solid, realistic project, which eventually surpassed our initial insecure dreams and became bigger than we had ever expected; to form an incredible team with artists, other filmmakers, composers, translators, audio engineers, and lots of other professionals; and to build a community of the most loyal fans a band can have, showing an incredible support for this project, which we hope all of you guys in this community can help bring to reality through this campaign.

After the first meeting in London, Leo went to visit Grilo in his hometown in Galicia in May 2015 to record a video together in Vigo and Baiona. During the summer, Grilo wrote the chapters of the Unofficial Biography covering the years 2009 to 2014 (not yet published). In November, Leo travelled again, this time to Helsinki, to talk face-to-face with the band and film some interviews. The rest of the time consisted of work, work and more work: on promotion, videos, design, countless budgets for ideas that turned out possible and other that turned out unfeasible, contacting labels and managers, gathering interesting material, filming concerts, building an incredible team, researching about crowdfunding, discussing all kinds of ideas... 

It has been a quite intense pre-production, as you can see, but totally worth it. Now, this project is in your hands: help us to honour their 20 years of history.

 

 

 

 

For a project like this to come true, for everybody to enjoy the best possible documentary and for the luckiest ones to keep an exclusive collectible or even the memory of an awesome first-hand experience, a certain initial budget is needed. We calculated EUR 19,000 as a minimum goal. With those funds, we will:

• Buy plane tickets and book accommodation for three people—the two of us, plus a Director of Photography;
• Pay the professionals we need to hire to cover a number of areas;
• Rent the best recording equipment we can get our hands on:
• Cover food & travel expenses during the filming period;
• Manufacture the DVDs and other perks;
• Pay the Indiegogo & Paypal fees and governmental taxes.

 

 

 

As you can see in the pie chart above, most of the funds will go to production: the more we get, the better quality we will offer.

Update: now, a part of that goes to shipping!

If we succeed, we will confirm an Stretch Goal. When you check the perks below, you will see that we offer a pretty nice DVD in a jewel case with artwork (this one) by Belgian painter Kris Verwimp (creator of the Tulimyrsky artwork, among many other metal covers) + the official movie poster. But, if we reach the EUR 24,000 mark, we will add an extra perk: the DVD with the documentary and extras in a deluxe black leather-like 70-page digibook, with an exclusive logo by Finnish artist Ritual Nucleart (who designed the M-rune in the Heritage box set and the Jumalten aika artwork). The book will contain the full Unofficial Moonsorrow Biography, covering 20 years of the band's history (what's currently available online covers only 14). This leather thingie will be a real beauty, we can assure you that! Hell bent for this particular edition. To round it off, it will include an alternative movie poster. The price for this deluxe DVD+book+poster will be 45 €, and those collectors who purchase both editions + the T-shirt will get an exclusive poster with Kris Verwimp's artwork in high resolution (check it out here). So that's 3 posters in total. But all of this will only happen if we raise EUR 24,000, so keep funding the project and let's make this little treasure see the light of day!

Be sure that any extra funds we raise will be invested integrally in this project. We're not aiming to earn money with it. Every extra cent will go into better equipment, better editing tools, more filming days, more complete editions, or anything that can make the documentary or its products better for all of you backers (and, what the hell, all of us core team too!) to enjoy and to be proud of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've been working and negotiating with all the parts involved to offer a good variety of perks, always respecting you as a fan. We all have have regular jobs, so we understand how hard it is to support Metal when you have expenses to cover every month. We are exactly like you, so there was a big effort to keep the prices as low as possible. At the same time, remember that we are funding the documentary. If we don't reach the goal, there will be no documentary for anybody! Those who collaborate will get something decent, not $5 for a name in the credits This is also your project, so you'll be a part of it from day one!

Every single backer will have their name featured in the credits of the documentary, unless you explicitly refuse to. In this case, please send us an email to credits@homeofthewind.com to let us know.

Please, keep in mind that:

• The DVDs and T-shirts aren't manufactured yet. The looks of the final product may vary slightly from the designs you see here.
• These perks will be available exclusively through this campaign. No items will go to distros, no eBay, no Discogs or anywhere else: get it now or never!
• All the numerous items (DVDs, t-shirts) will be shipped unregistered. We are not responsible for any losses, but then again, they are unlikely. However, if you want yours shipped with a tracking number, let us know and we will inform you of the price.
• The perks that exist only in a number of 1 or 2 will be shipped registered at our own expense.

 

 

 

DIGIPAGAN. For only 10 EUR you will have unlimited access to watch the full documentary online after its official premiere, in the best quality we can upload. Access to this perk requires a Basic Membership in Vimeo (free of charge).

 

 

DIGIJOTUN. You will have unlimited access to watch everything online: the documentary and all the extras, deleted scenes, trailers, etc. Everything that was ever filmed for Home of the Wind! Access to this perk requires a Basic Membership in Vimeo (free of charge).

 

 

NAKED PAGAN. An essential perk to finance and make this documentary possible. The DVD with the documentary in jewel case format, including all the extras and featuring the artwork by Kris Verwimp (check it out here), painter of the already classic Tulimyrsky 5-panel artwork, as well countless other metal covers. This artwork was made specifically for this documentary, and it perfectly captures the vision we had about it from day one. This DVD includes a booklet with new photos from the filming sessions. With this perk you also get the DigiJotun package (see above). Exclusive for this campaign, you have 30 days to get it! Limited to 400.

 

 

21st CENTURY ARMORED PAGAN. Naked Pagan DVD + DigiJotun Package + exclusive T-shirt sporting a new version of the Home of the Wind  logo as reinterpreted by Ritual Nucleart, designer of the M-rune on the Heritage box set and the Jumalten aika artwork, as well as many other metal covers and logos. Also includes the official movie poster of HOTW and the DigiJotun package (see above). Exclusive for this campaign, you have 30 days to get it! Limited to 200.

 

 

 

NAKED JOTUN. The DVD with the documentary and extras in a deluxe black leather-like 70-page digibook, with the logo by Ritual (see previous perk). The book will contain the full Unofficial Moonsorrow Biography, covering 20 years of the band's history (what's currently available online covers only 14). This leather thingie will be a real beauty, we can assure you that! Hell bent for this particular edition. NOTE: This perk will be unlocked once we reach our stretch goal of EUR 24,000. Exclusive for this campaign.

 

 

 

THE WINTER COLLECTOR. Ville donated his copies of the less known, slightly more professional Russian version of the Tämä Ikuinen Talvi tape by Metal Agen Records (1999), featuring a different booklet (is it called a booklet also in tapes?). It comes with a set of Ville's picks! Also includes the DigiJotun package (see above).

 

 

 

21st CENTURY ARMORED JOTUN. The deluxe DVD digibook including leather-like covers and biography + the exclusive T-shirt with Ritual Nucleart's logo. Includes the alternative version of the HOTW movie poster.

NOTE: This perk will be unlocked once we reach our stretch goal of EUR 24,000. Exclusive for this campaign.

Collectors who buy both versions of the DVD, one of them including a T-shirt, definitely deserve both versions of the movie poster + a FREE poster with Kris Verwimp's amazing artwork! (Check it out here.) So pick Naked Pagan + Armoured Jotun or Naked Jotun + Armoured Pagan, contact us, and you'll receive 3 posters at no extra charge.

 

 

 

THE MEAT COLLECTOR 2.0. Henri donated the remaining copies of the hyper mega rare first issue of the magazine he and Ville published back in 1998, including their own articles and interviews with other bands. We never thought we would even see a copy, now we have 20 of them to offer, thanks to Henri. You probably won't find these anywhere else, ever. It doesn't get much more rare, kvlt and underground than this! To round it off, this package includes a signed photograph, and the DigiJotun package (see above).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE HEATHEN INQUISITION 2.0: Ask the band a question. Nobody expects the Heathen Inquisition! What have you always wanted to know? A band member of your choice will appear on film giving the best answer he can to whatever you ask, and it will be personally sent to you and included in the extras. After you receive this video, you are free to post it wherever you want or do whatever you wish with it, it's yours. The only condition is to be respectful, which will be determined at the adressee's discretion. But respect is an obvious requirement anywhere, right? To have access to this perk, you will need a Basic Membership in Vimeo (free of charge). We will provide a private link and the possibility of downloading the video. Also includes the DigiJotun package (see above). 

 

 

 

 

KOLLEKTORIN UNI. The debut album Suden uni saw two pressings by the now extinct Swedish label Plasmatica Records, in 2001 and 2002, before being re-released by Spinefarm in 2003 in the edition that's commonly available nowadays. All three pressings were different. The very first one was limited to 1,000 copies that were sold out in less than a year, but Henri Sorvali donated us one copy for this campaign. This item will be signed by the three members the band had at the time and who recorded this album—Ville Sorvali, Henri Sorvali and Marko Tarvonen (then Baron Tarwonen, oh youth!). Worldwide shipping is included for this item. Also includes the DigiJotun package (see above). 

 

 

 

 

 

THE MEAT COLLECTOR. Back in the nineties, Ville, Henri and two more friends had an underground distro/label, Meat Hook Productions, which released some tapes and published a fanzine titled Meathook'd. The latter saw two issues, #1 in summer 1998 and #2 in summer 1999. What we offer you here is Meathook'd Zine #1, Tämä ikuinen talvi (500 copies pressed) and the rarest of rarities: an original tape of Metsä (215 copies pressed) in their very original form. Both used, in good condition. All these items will be signed by the Sorvali cousins (and the rest of the band if you request it). Kvlt underground items! Worldwide shipping is included for this item. Also includes the DigiJotun package (see above). 

 

 

 

 

 

THE MOON COLLECTOR 2.0.  You don't have the Moonsorrow back catalogue yet? Are you considering to buy the whole album collection? The time to strike is now. Victory! Victory! This package includes all the full-length albums and the Tulimyrsky EP in CD format, all of them signed by the band. Containing: Suden uni (reissue, 2008, incl. DVD with live performances and videoclips), Voimasta ja kunniasta (reissue, 2008), Kivenkantaja (reissue, 2008), Verisäkeet (reissue, 2008), V: Hävitetty (2007), Tulimyrsky (2008), Varjoina kuljemme kuolleiden maassa (2011), Jumalten aika (2016). All of them brand new, only opened for the signing process. Worldwide shipping is included for this item. Also includes the DigiJotun package (see above). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE HEATHEN EXPERIENCE 2.0. Witness the documentary being made by attending one session of filming (between 2 and 3 hours). A great memory from an epic day! Once you arrive, you'll have a personal meeting with our director Leo and the possibility to discuss the script with Grilo. Then you will be able to take part on the filming working hand by hand with our Director of Photography. We will give you free transport during the session if necessary. You can have a short photo session if you want it to have a graphic memory of your experience in the set. Also includes the DigiJotun package (see above).

PLEASE NOTE: The documentary filming is scheduled to take place in the Helsinki area during the end of June and beginning of July 2016. Travel and accommodation expenses are not included in this perk. A respectful behavior is required, as we will be working. Offenders will be prosecuted, killed or, at least, kicked out. But if you are a nice person, we all will have a lot of fun, that's assured!

 

 

 

 

THE MANNAZ. Mitja Harvilahti offered us his legendary M-rune T-shirt to Home of the Wind! He has worn it on stage for over a decade. If you google his name for images, you will see him wearing it in most of them. Now this piece of metal clothing history can be YOURS! The framed M-rune stage shirt worn by Mitja for 10 years at hundreds of shows + selected backstage passes + certificate of authenticity signed by Mitja. And we are extremely thankful to him for offering it. Worldwide shipping is included for this item. Also includes the DigiJotun package (see above).

 

 

 

 

 

EPIC HEATHEN GUITAR. Your eyes don't lie: Mitja Harvilahti also donated one of his guitars for this crowdfunding campaign! His red Kramer works perfectly and will be signed by the whole band. It also includes a custom Moonsorrow strap + a hand painted case for the guitar + certificate of authenticity. Worldwide shipping is included for this item. Includes the DigiJotun package (see above). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE WARLORD: DEFINITIVE COLLECTION. The ultimate Moonsorrow collection. It includes the same as Moon Collector + 2-CD Jumalten Aika + 2-CD Kivenkantaja (UK exclusive, 2010) + Plasmatica Suden Uni 1st press (2001) + Plasmatica Suden Uni 2nd press (2002) + Tämä Ikuinen Talvi tape (Meat Hook Productions, 1999) + the Russian edition of the Tämä Ikuinen Talvi tape (Metal Agen Records, 1999) + the original Tämä Ikuinen Talvi CD (Sagitarius Productions, 2001) + Meathook'd Zine #1 (1998) + Home of the Wind DVD + Home of the Wind digibook (ONLY IF we reach the stretch goal and release it) + all the posters we make (one copy of each design) + HOTW T-shirt + Ville's custom pick. All albums signed. Also includes the DigiJotun package (see above).

 

 

 

 

 

THE WAR FLAG. The ultimate perk: the very first Moonsorrow backdrop ever to witness a Moonsorrow concert. This was used in many concerts in the early days, and now it can be yours! Hang a piece of Moonsorrow history on your wall, on the front façade of your house... or of your block of flats. This comes with a set of exclusive photos: limited to a single copy, featuring all the members during the filming and also a private session with each one of them. Includes certificate of authenticity + the Home of the Wind DVD.Shipping included, as well as the DigiJotun package.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Firstly: it won't. There are too many people working on it. We have overcome too many difficulties. Whatever happens, there will always be a way around, just like there has always been  until now. The worst that can happen is that it gets postponed. The only real problem (besides personal tragedies, obviously) could be not reaching the goal, but we have made very careful calculations and we are pretty sure that everything will be okay on that side. 

We chose a fixed funding campaign type (i.e. all or nothing) because we don't want anything half-baked, and because we are confident enough that we can reach the goal and even surpass it. Let's face it—the project is awesome and the community is awesomer!