rautalanka

Rautalanka is a style of rock music that emerged in Finland in the 1960s, though the term is also used to refer to instrumental rock in general. The term translates literally as "iron wire", referring to the strings of the electric guitar.

Rautalanka is typically played by a quartet consisting of a lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass guitar and drum kit, but can also include other instruments and vocals. The heyday of rautalanka was in the early 1960s, but it has enthusiasts until the present day. Typical features of rautalanka are sharp and clear melodies, fast tempos and extensive use of tape echo, but little or no overdrive or distortion. The twist-beat is a typical rhythm used. Melodies tend to be in minor keys and melancholic, based on folk tunes and schlager songs.