Lord Wind - trailer of the upcoming video

Here you can watch a trailer of the upcoming video for 'Nothing is
Dark During Sunrise' from last Lord Wind's album 'Ales Stenar'. You can
also purchase an album via Wolftyr Prods (CD and LP) or Werewolf
Promotions (cassetes). 

Lord Wind is a neofolk side-project of Rob Darken (Graveland).

News from this week (part II)

Faroese progressive/viking band TYR just released their new music video. Feat. the guest - Liv Kristine of Leave's Eyes. Check it out:

---

From viking metallers from EREB ALTOR:
'NEW RELEASE
Just in time for our tour with Borknagar we will unleash a 7″ vinyl named “The Lake of Blood”
Containing one brand new song and an acoustic version of the title track of our latest album “Fire meets Ice”
It will be out on Cyclone Empire !
Release date will come soon !'

Check out also band's music:

---

North American instrumental black metal one woman project Crown of Asteria will release its debut full-length album “North” via the French label Le Crepuscule du Soir. Crown of Asteria were formed in May 2011 by their sole member Meghan Wood from Bancroft and released 2 demos and a split, all in 2013. Her music has a really beautiful atmosphere with ambient and folk passages. “North” is a transcendent and majestic instrumental work, paying homage to one’s homeland, a journey seeking the visceral and intrinsic connections and emotions found in nature. The album is already available for streaming on Crown of Asteria’s Bandcamp page and it will soon be released in a limited to 200 copies digipak edition on recycled paper.

Check out band's music here.

---

Canadian acoustic epic folk project Demain, Wendigo has just released its debut full-length album “Projections“. This band was forged in the spring of 2013 by David Verret aka Bardunor (Hiverna, Monarque, Csejthe, Crèpuscule) and Vincent Marceau. Acoustic folk music with few passages of pagan black metal, displaying an epic and folkloric soundscape through legends about forest myths and creatures. “Projections” is self released by Bardunor’s independent productions Oaken Forge. It comes in standard jewel-case edition CD including a 12-page booklet, with artwork by David Verret himself. You can listen to their music and contact Demain, Wendigo in their official Bandcamp page below.

Check out band's music here.

---

The new year starts with a great announcement for a split release between atmospheric pagan black metallers Zgard from Ukraine and melodic atmospheric folk black metallers Prohod from Romania. Zgard surprise us in every album, with their great atmospheric expression, while Prohod are following the same line from the first album with cold riffs, variations and great melody. The split is entitled “Ascension: Paramatman” and it will be co-released by Purity-Through-Fire and Fimbulvinter Productions. It will be available in a limited to 75 copies A5 digipak edition and in normal jewel-case CD. Release date isn’t announced yet, but ”Ascension: Paramatman” is already available for pre-order. You can also watch below one song from Zgard and a teaser from Prohod. I can’t wait! The wonderful artwork is once again by Moga of Kogaion Art.

Check out Zgard's music here.
And Prohod's here.

Eternal Helcaraxe - 'Against All Odds' (2012)

Eternal Helcaraxe

'Against All Odds'

Abyss Recs.

2012

Eternal Helcaraxe is an irish black metal horde with some pagan metal attitude. 'Against All Odds' is their debut full-lenght album (even if the guys are playing since 2003).
This introduction is not very original, but from the other side - the music that I have to describe is not very original too. But I appreciate bands like this much - if they know what they want to achieve. Eternal Helcaraxe uses old, tested patents. So we have here fast black metal riffs with some epic attitude, ultra-fast drum beats and furious, harsh vocals. Very often the music is also assisted by keyboard in the background, which creates more epic sound. But don't worry, this is not a poor version of Dimmu Borgir but a juicy metal sound in 100%.
So as you can see - we have here all of the good stuff from the 90's. And what can I say? At the beginning the album makes quite a good impression, and I was pleased with what I was listenning to. Epic music, glorious texts about proud of irish heritage and such things - it all makes a good impression. I've heard similar things quite many times, yet I still enjoy it.
From time to time the band slows down, and rarely it is weaving some non metal tunes into it's music (like acoustics). Unfortunetely regardless of that each track sounds very similar to the other ones, so at some point a listener is starting to loose contact with the music. For me it would be OK, but such kind of playing should be taken in smaller doses - half of hour is a perfect time for this. After that everything starts to sound the same. At the beginning of this review I had stated that I apreciate not very original bands if they know what they want. Eternal Helcaraxe is one of them - they understand how to create a hellish, yet a bit epic sound BUT my rating would be one point higher if their opus was a bit shorter.
I advice the band one of two ways - to complicate your music a little bit more, or simply record shorter material. Yet still the content of 'Against All Odds' is really not bad - fans of myths, metal and paganism can give it a try.

Rate: 6/10
Vladyka

A Youtube 'clip' for the track 'Invictus':

Tracklist:
1. Claim Your Place With Gods
2. One Stands Still Here
3. Invictus
4. We Assist Death
5. Shadow of the Wolf
6. As the Snow Gathers
7. Echeos Through Our Blood
8. Against All Odds (All the Battles to Come - part II)
Total time: 50:24

Irminsul - "Fäder" (2013)

Irminsul 

"Fäder"

Purity Through Fire

2013

Many people say that a reviewer must be objective in his work. That no matter how much he doesn't like certain genres of music he have to rate band's music by looking at their skills, sensitivity etc. 

Well, I guess that you know why I had written such an introduction. The music of this swedish horde is defenitely not something that I like. Moreover - the tunes that they are presenting belongs to the category called "Damn, not this again...". Partly is is my fault, because I searched this album by myself. I saw a cover, I've listen to a beginning of the first track and said "well, maybe it'll be good." Well, in my opinion it is not. I know that you will call me an internet-warrior, poser etc. But I gave some time to find something interesting here, so I will write what's following. 

The first track is indeed not bad - especially guitar riffs are quite interesting, even if not revolutionery. Yet the first groop that came to my ears were those keyboard-violin tunes in the backgruound. In some places they sound like a more frugal version of Nightwish or some Sonata Arctica thing.

Well, unfortunetely the band seems to really like that kind of playing, because already in the second song they are turning into more power-metal style. When I hear sweet keyboards, female nice vocals and sad riffs mixed with harsh vocals I know that this is not something for me. I even understand the idea of oldschool power metal in vain of Manilla Road, but I can't stand Sonata Arctica-like things mixed with music inspired by older Ensiferum albums. For me it is a pure horror! But a real horror is a track number three, where a singer decides too to do some sweet melodies. And it goes like this for almost whole album - sometimes it's more power metal, sometimes it's more similar to Ensiferum. By the way I am very curious where other reviewers hear on "Fäder" some folk influences. Those sweet-like-hell acoustic guitars and maudlin violin and fluet motifs have nothing bounded with folk music. That's just my opinion, but if a band wasn't promoted as a thing for fans of Falkenbach, Skyforger or Manegarm I propably wouldn't listen to it.

 I must also confess that this is the first album that I couldn't dare to listen integrally - I had to make a break in the mid. This is a good conculsion what I think about this album - for me it is just a waste of time. I hate such a mix of sweetness and brutality. Brutal things should be brutal, and sweet thing should be called pop music. 

If you don't vomit with a rainbow when you hear a music of mentioned below bands, you can check this album. Otherwise stay away from it. BTW I wish Irminsul all the best in the future - but I hope that I won't meet your music in my life anymore. That would be best for us all.

Rate: not-very-high/10

Vladyka

A Youtube "videoclip":

Tracklist:

1. Stupagraven

2. Nattramn

3. Galgaman

4. Hagridden

5. Letters from the Past

6. Bäckakarlens dans 

7. Clades Variana 

8. Ölbänk 

9.  Neverending Story (Limahl cover) 

Total time: 52:15

Jarun - "Wziemiozstąpienie" (2012)

Jarun

"Wziemiozstąpienie"

[Self-released]

2012

Jarun is a polish black/folk/progressive band founded by Zagreus in 2008 in Nowy Sącz. "Wziemiozstąpienie" (try to say it fast, huh!) is their debut album. A very tasty debut album, I must admit. I've heard many good opinions about this young horde, but the music that their bring us pass all my expectations. But ab ovo.

The core of the whole music is here black metal. If the band wants they can create good aggressive riffs, like they purpose was destruction of everything (parts of the opening "Wziemiozstąpienie" or "Niech moje słowa będą ogniem"). But black metal represented by Jarun is for most of the time more atmospheric, with big usage of acoustic themes and calm, muted parts. Evey track is full of such parts, so that it is hard to count which one would be a good example of such kind of playing (maybe "Deszcz", with the sounds of raining in the background?). Generally speaking the music is very dynamic, it changes quite often from one mood to another so that it's hard to get bored with that. That's the merit of a bit progressive approach. In such moments prevails calmer parts, giving a good oportunity for bass player to show that his instrument can be used in very interesting way. Such kind of playing reminds me some of "atmospherical" bands, especially polish Furia. 

The last element which gives Jarun very unique, original character are folk references. I would say that if at the beginning this "folkish" attitude is a bit hidden behind progressive and purely pagan metal kind of playing, than since the track "Przebudzenie" it prevails. To be honest it sounds amazing when progressive parts (raised from classic rock!) mix with folk tunes and black metal vocals ("Powrót"). Of course this effect is achieved only with usage of riffing - there are no traditional instruments in Jarun's music.

I am bought. Really - the creativeness of this black-metallers is so fresh and non-trivial that it is a must-have for every fan of a bit progressive, atmospheric music as well as fans of pagan metal. And good music in general ;] And about rating - it is so high inter alia because it's only a debut! Personally I hope that their another material will be at least as great as "Wziemiozstąpienie", if not better.

Rate: 10/10

Vadyka

Music "video" to "Zamieć":

Tracklist:

1. Wziemiozstąpienie

2. Deszcz

3. Prawdy ulotne

4. Przebudzenie

5. Niech moje słowa będą ogniem

6. Powrót

7. Zamieć

8. I znowu zima...

Oldschool Folk Metal

Today I would like to present some oldschool folk metal bands, which should be very influencial for the genre and which are (more or less...) forgotten. It should be interesting especially for the younger fans - however old maniacs can reminisce :)

Sabbat (UK)

Actually it is not a typicl folk metal. But first of all - this is the band that was an fundament for creating Skyclad. And secondly - it has some folk relish.
Founded in 1985
The band doesn't exist anymore
Metal Archives

Skyclad

Is considering as a first folk metal band ever exist. It's defenitely something that every fan of this genre should at least briefly know.

Founded in 1990

The band is still active.

Metal Archives

Otyg 

The band is from Sweden, and their music bases on traditional swedish folk songs. Lately Vintersorg (from Borknagar) stated that his going to release new Otyg's album - I hope for something good!

Founded in 1995

Reactivated in 2012.

Metal Archives 

Isengard 

This was a side-project of Fenriz from Darkthrone. The music had more black metal relish, yet it was inspired by traditional scandinavian tunes. Especially interesting is an album "Hostmorke"

Founded around 1989

Inactive today.

Metal Archives 

Storm (Nor)

Another project of Fenriz, founded together with a singer Kari Rueslatten and Satyr from Satyricon. They released only one album "Nordavind" - yet very interesting in it's musical form!

Founded in 1993

Inactive today.

Metal Archives

Written by Vladyka in the year 2013

Hellveto - "Damnaretis" (2012)

Hellveto

"Damnaretis"

Pagan Recs.

2012

Hellveto is a one-man project, founded in 1995 in Ostrołęka (Poland) by L.O.N., and is playing black metal with orchestral elements and lyrics about paganism. "Damnaretis" is it's (let me count...) 15th full lenght album. 

It took two years for L.O.N. to transform his visions into another dark soundscape. Normally he is known to record even two orthree albums a year! But to be honest I am glad that he took a break. The previous opus, "Wiara, Nadzieja..., Potępienie" was simply very weak. Instead of good ideas we had there only insipid, blurred riffing with tiring, overused orchestrations. Luckily "Damnaretis" is different (and better). Although the music hasn't change very much - it's still very dark black metal with epic atmosphere - it's again more powerful. I have an impression that orchestral parts are fewer this time, and more place is filled by pure metal section and more melancholic parts. Thanks to that the album isn't tiring like the previous one. Moreover - it sounds fantastic! Also camparing "Damnaretis" to last albums, the music is much slower. But it's great, because I've always more like those slower, atmospheric moments than fast ones. The riffs are really good, and the atmosphere is often highlighted by some relishes - strange noises, wind effects, desperate clean singing etc. Oh, and about LON's vocals - there are perfect! The guy knows how to use his voice - he screams in very dramatic way which is hard to mistaken with anyone's. Taking it all together we receive something unordinary - because it's hard to compare Hellveto's music to something else. Maybe Limbonic Art or Summoning? But even it is far from this polish (one-man, hehe) horde...

The sound has power in it because of a great production. LON accustomed fans to the exellent level of his albums and "Damnaretis" is not different. Really, no reproaches here. The orchestral parts sound very epic, while a metal section has gloomy, dark feeling.

To sum up: it's good to hear a new Hellveto album after a small break. It's not a revolutionery thing, but it's defenitely a good piece of epic black metal art. If you like darkness and grimness in music, "Damnaretis" will be something that you'll enjoy very much.

Rate: 8/10

Vladyka

Unofficial videoclip:

Tracklist:

1. Damnaretis

2. Żałobny Taniec

3. Właśnie tam...

4. Syreni płacz

5. Sznur odkupienia

6. Grudniowy zmierzch

7. Krocząc ciernistą aleją

8. Konający anioł 

9. Bez odwrotu

10. Nefaria

Forefather - Last of the Line (2011)

Forefather

Last of the Line

Seven Kingdoms

2011

Forefather is a viking... I mean anglo-saxon metal band, founded in Leatherhead (England) by two brothers - Athelstan and Wulfstan. In brief the play black metal mixed with heavy metal with an epic attitude and lyrics about anglo-saxon period of english history. 

The music is not very complicated, but it has it's own spirit. What surprised me is an almost merry beginning of the album, played in the vain of traditional heavy metal. Later the music is darker, but I must admit that pure heavy metal now dominates in Forefather's music. There are loads of great melodies here, but played in a way that it doesn't sounds like some crappy Gamma Gay or other shit like that. The riffs are being played with very folkish attitude, yet don't expect any folk-metals or a music from the sign of Tyr. Athelstan and Wulfstan are heavily soaked in old school heavy metal and of course Bathory. The only reminiscences of old black metal style are harsh vocals (but even them are less common than clear, sublime ones) and some guitar pitches, and very quick tempos at the end that can be associated with BM.  

The album, even if as I said is not very complicated , is constructed cleverly. There are more epic, slow tracks like for example "Up High" with dignified vocals of Wulfstan. The song remind me a bit some hymn or thing like that - but anyway it's a very enjoyable piece of art. There are also wilder, faster and darker tracks like the next one on the list - "Wolves of Prayer" or "Shadows of Dead" with an intensive tempo (blast-beats). I have also a feeling that the music is getting heavier since "Wolves...", but still don't expect some complete sonic massacre. 

I am writing and writing, but you still don't know is "Last of the Line" good or is it not. Well, it's good. It's almost completely unoriginal, but from the other side it's composed with taste. The music is not getting boring even after many replays, and you can remember some melodies already after a first time with this album. A fine piece of anglo-saxon music :)

Rate: 7+/10

Vladyka

Tracklist:

1. Cometh the King

2. Last of the Line

3. Chorus of Steel

4. By Thy Deeds

5. Up High

6. Wolves of Prayer

7. Wyrda Gesceaft

8. Doomsday Dawns

9. Shadows of the Dead

10. Spears of Faith

11. The Downfallen

12. Into the rising sun

Graveland - "Thunderbolts of the Gods" (2013)

Graveland

"Thunderbolts of the Gods"

No Colours Recs.

2013

Graveland is a well-known amongst fans of pagan metal polish project founded by Rob Darken in 1991 in Wrocław. "Thunderbolts..." is a 13th album of this veteran. 

One thing is certain - Rob decided to use all of his experience to create another good opus. For some time Rob was creating much slower albums, full of epic war hymns. Yet lately he is dropping it and returns to more extreme areas. The album is full of tempo-changes - from slow parts with usage of acoustic guitars and choir samples to fast, furious atacks. That positively influences a diversity of the music, so it is a good idea. Yet everybody who is following the band will discover here nothing new. Graveland is simply following the path that it has chosen many years ago - and so it brings us another portion of characteristic epic pagan metal sound. The music is not very complicated and a bit raw - the riffs thanks to the production are a bit noisy, yet tunes are highly memorable. There are more epic tracks ("Wolf of the North") and more agaressive moments (opening "Possessed by Steel"). And as I see it - it is better, more dynamic than last recordings. It simply kicks ass. I was affraid that "Thunderbolts..." will be just "another" position in Darken's discography, well producted but a bit emotionless. Yet this time I listen to something authentic, full of rage and passion!

Oh, and about a production. It's the same as last Graveland's releases, but that's a good thing because I simply love it. Organic, yet genuinely highlighting the epicness of the music (especially great parts of choirs). No critical notes here.

There is nothing more to write - and the thing is simple: if you like last releases of this band, you will certainly admire "Thunderbolts...". It is not original at all, yet it is a good portion of epic tunes in the characteristic style of almighty Graveland.

Rate: 8/10

Vladyka

Here you can watch a trailer of the upcoming videoclip:

Tracklist:

1. Possessed by Steel

2. Thunderbolts of the Gods

3. Chamber of Wicked Tears

4. Wolf of the North

5. Red Polaris

6. When Hammer Shines (outro)

Waylander - "Kindred Spirits" (2012)

Waylander

"Kindred Spirits"

Listenable Recs.

2012

Contrary to what some people believe, playing good folk metal is not an easy thing. There is a thin line between folkish, vivavious yet still serious stuff and some jolly-polka merry singing. Luckily for me (and You, dear reader) last Waylander's album is that first, good kind of folk metal. 

"Kindred Spirits" is the continuation of what those northern Irish guys created on their previous album "Honour Amongst Chaos". The folkish tunes are generated by the traditional instruments, like whistles, mandolin etc. It sounds really good - the musicans are not some kind of amateurs, and they know how to create an addictive, celtic atmosphere. The only flaw that sometimes irritates me is the sound of the mentioned whistle - in some parts it's really needless (like in some moments of "Twin Fires of Beltine"). Luckily a band rarely do it. Also the parts when a band plays only on folk instruments automatically reminds me of some movies (like "Braveheart"), it's really a pure pleasure to listen to them.

The metal section bases mainly on traditional heavy/speed metal, but quite often it turns into a bit darker forms (like more aggresive "Erdath", or slow, dark parts of mentioned "Twin Fires..."). Generally speaking this album is heavier than it's predecessor, both in quick and slow parts. There is a lot of going here - the music often changes tempo, and folkish section very well highlights the atmosphere.

Over this instrumental core screams and growls the vocalist (in a bit black metal vain), who's often supported by his band mates. They are doing a good job, some parts can be really memorable, like e.g. choirs in "Of Fear And Fury".

The sound of this album is very good - selective, and properly heavy. The folkish section is produced in a bit soft way. Generally it's a good thing, also sometimes it makes a whistle a bit annoying - like I said before.

To sum up: Waylander recorded a very fine piece of music. In some parts it reminds me Skyforger's album "Kurbads", propably due to this heavy metal inlfuences. So if you like that kind of playing, you can search for this album. Maybe this is not the most original thing, but it'll surely brings you some good moments. 

Rate:8/10

Vladyka

Tracklist:

1. Echeos of the Sidhe

2. Lamh Dearg

3. Twin Fires of Beltine

4. Of Fear And Fury

5. Grave of Giants

6. A Path Well Troden

7. Quest for Immortality

8. Erdath

9. Kindred Spirits