Miellnir - Incineration Astern (CD Review)

01.Incineration Overture (Intro)
02.Prey
03.Legends Of The Fallen
04.Stand Against
05.Journey Through The Nine Worlds
06.Ugar-buhlo
07.Embraced By Ire
08.Jörð
09.The Gallows Tree
10.Valhalla Awaits

Frozensoul (Vocals/Bass)
Gjallarhorn (Guitar)
Yarek Ovich (Guitar)
Daimonos (Drums)

Hailing from Ukraine, this pagan viking band formed in 2005, but only now have released an album, i have found no demos or other recordings or come to think of it any information about them either.
Delving a little deeper i discovered that 'Embraced By Ire' was first released in 2011, and so i assume that the other 3 tracks that follow were also from that same time as they are listed as bonus on the info i was supplied, but not it seems on the actual cd, get the feeling that the record company couldnt give a shit? I do !

Another pointless intro to start with and guess what? It goes straight into the next song, so why have it as a seperate first track???
'Prey' when it gets going is a good mix of styles, mainly symphonic black metal and with vocal style to match, in fact this is more like Dimmu Borgir than Turisas.

Now with 'Legends Of The Fallen' we get two very distinct styles from extreme metal to quite traditional pagan/folk metal.This one has a Thrash metal tempo in places and the timing changes match said genre, nice to hear some normal vocals blended with the growling ones.

'Stand Against' again this reminds me of Dimmu Borgir, not much in the way of viking/pagan coming across here in this mid placed almost doomy/symphonic piece.

What spolis 'Journey...." is the vocals, the music is a beautiful piano driven almost ballad melody, but the softly sung gruff vocal just kills it.

First real appearence of pagan/viking/folk on 'Ugar-buhlo', thanks to some great accordian playing, this mixes it up with full on blasts of metal, but works very well.

'Embraced By Ire', clearly an earlier track by the fact that the music is slightly rawer, yet musically there seems to be more instrumentation going on with various keyboard sounds utilised and a very nice guitar solo.

'Joro' is a bit of a bland track, does little to enhance the bands overall sound, but 'The Gallows Tree' returns to some quality symphonic metal and finally 'Valhalla' is borderline power metal with a hint of thrash.

Overall a really good and varied album, hpefully the record company will do more to promote it and the band.

Rating 9/10
For fans of: Dimmu Borgir, Amon Amarth, Turisas

Vetten AEpaeraet - Sydaentalven Viha (Single Review)

01.Sydaentalven Viha

Sami Ferm (Vocals/Flutes)
Aleksi Kulmala (Guitar)
Leo Lemmetty (Guitar)
Jarmo Luopa (Bass)
Irene Penttonen (Keyboards)
Anton Nisonen (Drums)

From Helsinki, Finland Vetten Äpärät is a six member folk metal band founded in 2006. They consider themselves to be the second generation of Finnish folk metal as they were influenced by the Finnish pioneer bands that came before them. Wanting to take the genre to the next level Vetten Äpärät are currently creating a folk metal lifestyle that goes beyond just playing and recording music.

Their music is built on the strong base of Nordic melodic metal ranging from skull crushing low tuned sounds to traditional folk melodies. The vocals bring the message of the harsh but beautiful life in the realm of north. Visually their goal is to create an authentic theatre-like concept. The band has found their style from the flora and fauna of the creatures and elements in folklore like dryads.

In 2011 and 2012 Vetten Äpärät recorded two demos (Demo 2011 and Taru 2012) as a five piece unit. After their original bassist left in the spring of 2013 the band went through changes in their concept. By the end of the year the band got a new bass player and recruited a completely new member for lead guitars which changed Sami's role in the band to just vocals and flutes. With the new line-up Vetten Äpärät recorded their debut single "Sydäntalven Viha" in 2014.

The new album is to be released later this year.

Normally pretty difficult to get a handle on how good a band is from just one song, however, this is no ordinary song.
Starts nice and acoustic with some vocals, then rest of the band join in and it is epic, full of meldy, passion and power, then gets even faster and full on folk metal is let loose, drum driven and then use of keyboards to give it that celtic feel.
As the song progresses they just thow more and more in, numerous timing and style changes.

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Turisas, Elvenking, Tanzwut

Arstídir Lífsins - Aldafǫor Ok Munka Drottinn (CD Review)

01.Kastar Heljar Brenna Fjarri Ofan Onundarfiroinum
02.Knorr Siglandi Birtisk A Löngu Bláu Yfirborði
03.Þeir Heilags Dóms Hirðar
04.Úlfs Veðrit Er Ið CMXCIX
05.Máni, Bróðir Sólar Ok Mundilfara
06.Tími Er kominn At kveða Fyrir Pér
07.Norðsæta Gatis, Herforingja Ormsins Langa
08.Bituls Skokra Benvargs Hreggjar A Sér Stað
09.Sem Lengsk Vánar Lopts Ljósgimu Hvarfs Dregr Narri


Arni (Drums/Vocals/Cello)
Marsel (Vocals)
Stefan (Guitar/Bass/Piano)

Since 2008, the art of the outstanding Icelandic/German Metallers Árstíðir lífsins (Icelandic for “The Seasons of Life“) truly breathes Old Norse history on all levels. Now, and with their 3rd album Aldafoðr ok munka dróttinn (Old Icelandic for Óðinn and the God of the Monks), Árstíðir lífsins further depict the vivid and cruel Icelandic Middle Ages from the most realistic angle possible.

Entirely sung in Old Norse-Icelandic and with added Skaldic stanzas from the world-known Icelandic sagas, Aldafoðr ok munka dróttinn takes you on a journey to the uttermost vivid and mythic Conversion of Iceland in the year 1000 as it is displayed in the vernacular medieval sources from the stormy North-Atlantic. Árstíðir lífsins, however, represent authenticity on all levels: as diverse as the world views of Christians and heathens are, also the composition and arrangement of music is on Aldafoðr ok munka dróttinn: From ambient archaic folklore patterns, supported by dark chants and classical instruments, to Black Metal elements in their finest Norwegian tradition and epic double-bass driven Viking Metal parts, the musical abilities materialize and teach a powerful lession in real craftmanship. So behold, this profound journey is truly intended to capture the listeners and directly depart them into a long gone time of struggling worshippers of Óðinn and the God of the Monks.

Aldafoðr ok munka dróttinn is a full length album, in all its meanings; to depict and express such various topics of Scandinavian history and myth.

Taking track one on face value, its a stunning, awesome and mind blowing epic 12 minutes of pure musicianship!
From the traditional folk elements it moves into a very dark almost black metal song except every time you think its going somewhere you know it then throws in a different sound, the vocals go from what sounds like chanting monks, to normal vocals then spoken words.
Half way through we border on extreme metal with frantic double pedal work and demonic vocals just as that gets into its stride it drops away for some simple and ambient keyboard and guitar playing.
The one draw back is that it is in their native tongue, but then that never did Rammstein any harm and somehow it doesnt matter it has atmosphere by the ton.

That review covers the next few tracks, each seemingly adding to the quality of the album, when we get to track six however we are treated to a classical piece with some more of that monk chanting style vocal.

The remainder of the album returns to the original style, honestly if i were to write about each song I would just be repeating myself, this is a stunning and essential body of work to own!

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Ulver, Sunn 0))), Rammstein, Mono

Myrkgrav - Vonde Auer (CD Review)

01.Vonde Auer
02.Vonde Auer (Traditional Version)

Lars Jensen: (All Instruments/Vocals)
Olav Luksengård Mjelva (Hardanger Fiddle)
Erlend Antonsen (Bass)

Folk metal band formed in 2003 by Lars Jensen.
Vonde auer features lyrics based on folklore from Ringerike in Norway.

So the first version is really cool, great use of traditional and modern instruments, the song sounds like Rammstein jamming with Turisas!
Quite typical of folk metal but this just seems to stand out, some great timing and tempo changes as the song goes along we get little hints of death metal as well.
The Traditional version is just the fiddle and at a couple of minutes long is just about enough.

Rating 8/10
For fans of: Turisas, Tanzwut, Elvenking, Burzum

Northland - Downfall And Rebirth (CD Review)

01.When Nature Awakes
02.Bloodred Sunrise
03.Together We Die
04.The Rite
05.Fury's Unleashed
06.Duskriders
07.Spirit In Darkness
08.Whispers In The Wind
09.Downfall And Rebirth
10.Moonlight Spell
11.Newborn Star


Pau Murillo (Vocals/Guitar)
Alex Fernández (Guitar)
Pau Vázquez (Violin)
Pol Lemaire (Keyboards)
Vic A. Granell (Bass)
Jose Rosendo (Drums)

Spanish band who mix folk with death metal formed in 2007, after a demo they went on to produce their first album in 2010.

After almost a hundred gigs around Europe, and a hard-working period of composition and studio enclosure, the band steps forward towards its consolidation with their second album.
Of its concept they state : "Life and death, day and night… Everything has its beginning - birth, and its own end - death. Great civilizations fall and the new ones take their place as day turns to night and night turns to day. Downfall and Rebirth explains the end of mankind as Mother Nature rises in vengeance against those who have made her suffer for so long. Meanwhile, somewhere out in space, celestial bodies collide to create a new world. This concept is also present in Downfall Rebirth in different ways: the course of the day, defeats and victories. Even when the album comes to an end, replaying it again makes complete sense as a never ending cycle."

'When Nature Awakes' really is one of those cliche sounding songs to start with then when the drums power in like a machine gun, you could say nature becomes somewhat startled!
Beautiful mix of folk and heavy metal with gruff vocals.

The next song 'Bloodred Sunrise' is way more aggressive, but puts in some great folk elements, really uplifting stuff.

'The Rite' is so quiet i could barley hear it, think its acoustic guitar?

The epic 'Duskriders' is a real outstanding song, superb violin and bouncing drums, then bloody hell gets all death metal, before pulling it back to folk.

'Downfall & Rebirth' is a dark and moody song, very downbeat, yet manages to create the paradox of being up beat at the same time, dunno how they do it, but another outstanding track.

Rating 8/10
For fans of: Turisas, Skyclad, Amon Amarth

Incursed - Beer Bloodbath EP & Elderslied Album (CD Review)

01.Beer Bloodbath
02.Raging Wyverns
03.Die By The Sword
04.Game Of Thrones
05.Beer Bloodbath (Drunken version)

01.Song Of The Ancient
02.Heart Of Yggdrasil
03.Raging Wyverns
04.The Wild Hunt
05.Beer Bloodbath
06.Tidal Waves
07.Jötnar
08.A Fateful Glare
09.Lady Frost
10.The Undying Flame (Homeland part II)
11.Suaren Lurraldea (The Land of Fire)
12.One Among A Million
13.Promise Of Hope


Narot Santos (Vocals/Guitar)
Jon Koldo Tera (Vocals/keyboards)
Asier Fernandez (Guitar)
Juan Sampedro (Bass)
Asier Amo (Drums)

Incursed were formed in October 2007 by Narot Santos and Sergio C. Bravo. It was
difficult for them in the beginning, but when they moved to Bilbao the band started
to work. There they met Lander Martinez, and they recorded together the first EP,
“...time to unsheathe our rusty swords” in April, 2009.
As the EP got nice reviews, the band decided to complete its line-up so they
could play live. Then, Jon Koldo Tera “Jonkol” and Asier Amo joined the band.
After some time fully dedicated to rehearsals, the band started to play live shows.
They also recorded again their EP with the full line-up. In summer, 2010, Incursed
recorded, at home, their first album, “Morituri”, which was released in September
that year.

There was a line-up change in February, 2011. Lander and Sergio left the band replaced by Juan Sampedro and Asier Fernandez.
Ending 2012, their second album was released “Fimbulwinter”. Since then their music
spread worldwide, arriving to distant countries such as Brazil or Japan.
In 2013 they performed at their most important show until today, the Carpathian
Alliance Metal Fest in Ukraine.

As both album and EP are released at the same time i shall start with the EP.

'Beer Bloodbath' is a pretty straight forward mix of pagan viking metal with a death metal vocal style, it is 'Raging Wyverns' that really starts to make you take notice, a superb mix of speed metal, pagan metal and folk metal, from acoustic breakdowns to full on hyper speed drumming and a good dual vocal of death growls and harmony.

Next two tracks are more in the same style as track one, then finally comes the drunken version, surprisingly the vocals are much clearer!!!

The album starts with the instrumental 'Song Of The Ancient' a very symphonic piece that (hopefully) sets the tone for whats to come next.

No mention in the credits as to who is playing the Accordian, but respect to him or her for doing so because it really lends itself well to 'Heart Of Yggdrasil', a great mix of speed metal and folk/pagan rock.

'Raging Wyverns' starts with some nice acoustic guitar and then evolves into an anthemic masterpiece, spoken vocal turns to death growls and the song just keeps building second by second, gets faster then a nice guitar breakdown and anthemic vocals and guitar to the end.

Again lack of info with regards to another contributer, this time its the violin player on 'The Wild Hunt', a more agressive metal song with some nice "Jig's" thrown into the mix.

I have already mentioned 'Beer Bloodbath' so moving on to 'Tidal Waves' which due to the guitar playing and that keyboard sound borders on euro power metal.

Another anthemic song follows with 'Jotnar', classic folk rock undertones blend with a touch of doom to create an atmospheric piece.

Next up is a short and downbeat female vocal performance, again no info as to who this is, but its very nice.

'Lady Frost' with its frantic riffing and drums returns to near power metal levels, but when the vocals come in, it gives it that dethly growl to avoid said genre.

Returning to the more acceptable sounds of pagan/folk metal is the seven and a half minute 'The Undying Flame', they seem to throw everything at this one, from slow to speed, acoustic to straight forward heavy metal and all vocal styles.

'Suaren Lurraldea' starts with an old 78 rpm soundbite complete with scratches on vinyl, then in the tradition of accept's fast as a shark flicks the needle across the vinyl to get to the heavy music, this one has some more great dual vocals and outstanding keyboard work.

'One Among A Million' is nearly eleven minutes long, at times more of a modern doom metal hybrid, then later elements of progressive rock are added in before we end of another symphonic farewell.

Rating 8/10 (EP) 10/10 (ALBUM)
For Fans Of: Turisas, Alestorm, Amon Amarth, Elvenking, Volksmetal

Tanzwut - Freitag Der 13 (CD review)

01.Brot Und Spiele
02.Brüder Im Geiste
03.Freitag Der 13.
04.Spielzeugland
05.Die Zeit Heilt Alle Wunden
06.Ohne Sünde
07.Der Zeitdieb
08.Niemals Mehr
09.Des Teufels Braut
10.Vorbei Ist Vorbei
11.Spiegelkabinett
12.Bis Der Morgen Graut
13.Wenn Wir Untergehen


Mike "Teufel" Paulenz (Bagpipe/Vocals)
Der Zwilling (Bass/Bagpipe)
Thrymr (Bagpipe/Shawm)
Pyro (Bagpipe/Shawm)
Shumon (Percussion/Keyboards)
Oually (Percussion/Key Drum/Electronic Drums/Riesentara/Keyboard)
Martin Ukrasvan (Guitar/Bagpipe/Tromba Marina)
Rene (Guitar)

German band formed by Teufel in the mid 1990's. starting life as a ska/punk industrial metal band, having felt he had done all he could in that field he put togtehr a new line up featuring members of Corvus Corax in 2011 to add medieval instruments to his original hybrid and created a new sound.

Last may i reviewed their album 'Eselsmesse' and was very dissapointed and gave it 3/10 for what was essentially an album of pretty naff bagpipe music as opposed to the medieval/industrial mix it was promoted as, so here we go again another album, i wonder what this will be like?

Well 'Brot Und Spiele' certainly starts off well, nice dark spoken vocal intro over some pagan metal sounds, and yes it's good, basically this comes over as Rammstein with some folk undertones.

Those bagpipes are back in 'Bruder Im Geiste' but this time they dont dominate the song.

More dark Rammstein for 'Freitag Der 13.', slow brooding, punctuated with simple riffs and minimal keyboard and a little bagpipe, all makes for a great well balanced song.

It all keeps going well till the really naff ballad 'Niemals Mehr', so i shall ignore that one and say that the rest of the album is very good.

Rating 8/10
For Fans Of: Rammstein, Turisas, Black Messiah, Arkona

Black Messiah - Heimweh (CD Review)

01.Symphonia Pagana
02.In The Name Of Ancient Gods
03.Jotunheim
04.Wildsau
05.Edmund von Ostanglien
06.Nidhogg
07.Heimweh
08.Die Quelle Der Weisheit

Zagan (vocals/Guitar/violin)
Frangus (Guitar)
Meldric (Guitar)
Garm (Bass)
Agnar (keyboards)
Brooh (Drums)

Formed in 1992 in Germany, the band began with a tradition Black Metal style, their debut album "Spectres Of Black Knowledge" in 1998, however started to display a more refined sound drawing on folk/pagan influences which is the direction they continued with.

A stunning female vocal harmony greets the opening piece 'Symphonia Pagana' with some very atmospheic orchestration this leads us into 'In The Name Of Ancient Gods' a drum driven fast paced song that clearly displays the Black Metal influence both with the vocals overall feel to music.

The next song is in their native german, once upon a time that would have been a problem but thanks to Rammstein we have got used to it, but this is mucher darker!

'Wildsau' has a traditional folk vibe with flutes and accordian, a real happy drinking song, well sounds like it then it it goes into some black metal riffery and demonic vocals before returning to tradition, a little more black metal and then finally some squealing pigs!!

Do i detect Diamond Heads Am I Evil riff on 'Edmund Von Ostanglien' followed by Thin Lizzy's Emerald, well yes i do but thats a good thing because its used to perfection in creating an atmospheric song with a deep almost crooner like vocal delivery.

After the heavy sound of 'Nidhogg' we are then treated to a really beautiful folk ballad called 'Heimweh', again there is a fantastic female backing vocal and an emotional violin solo.
If you are a fan of classic folk rock and know the song Lady Margaret performed by the Trees then this would sit very nicley next to it.

It all ends with an 8 minute mini epic, starting acoustic guitar and then moving into heavy but melodic sounds with subtle keyboards, bells and other instrumentation all thrown in the mix and used to perfection.

A brilliant album one that blows away the recent offering from Turisas and rivals even Amon Amarth!

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : Turisas, Blood Ceremony, Amon Amarth, Imperium Dekadenz, Cradle Of Filth

ARKONA - GOI RODE GOI (Cd Review)

01.Goi Rode Goi

02.Yarilo

03.Nevidal

04.Na Moey Zemle

05.Pritcha

06.V Tsepiakh Drevney Tainy

07.Tropoiu Nevedannoi

08.Liki Bessmertnykh Bogov

09.kolo Navi

10.Korochun

11.Pamiat

12.Kupalets

13.Arkona

14.Nebo Hmurde, Tuchi Mrachniye

Masha Scream Arhipova (Vocals)

Sergej Lazar (Guitars)

Ruslan Kniaz (Bass)

Vlad Artist (Drums)

Allow me to introduce to you Arkona, a Russian band who were formed in 2002 by members of local pagan community "Vyatichi"with the intent of creating music that reflected their individual philosophy and musical taste.

Emerging from the Russian underground they made their high profile debut at the
"Yazycheskaya Rus'" festival.By the summer of 2003, ARKONA was ready to record their debut, but disinterest in the band by some of its members saw the band disappear from the scene as quickly as it had arrived.

Eventually they recorded their debut album "Vozrozhdenie” in March 2004.

The album’s release placed them as a contending force back on the scene and with a
new line up return to the circuit in 2005.

The next album "Vo Slavu Velikim” saw a change in musical direction dropping the use of
synthesized sounds, replacing them with authentic folk instruments.

As such, the list of guest musicians grew considerably including the renowned folk musician Vladimir Cherepovskiy as well as members of Svarga and Alkonost.

More albums followed as did european tours at a major festival appearence at the 2008
Ragnarok Festival.

Back at home, they decided not to take a break but to immediately begin working on
their 5th album.

In order to top their previous effort, the band aimed to create a very unique album eventually usuing over 40 musicians and a full-fledged chorus and a string quintet for the first time in their career.

The centrepiece to this album is the 15-minute saga 'Na Moey Zemle' which relates the
adventures of a Slav in European countries. This epic features the voices of members of
'Manegarm', 'Menhir' , and 'Heidevolk'.

Starting with some fantastic harmony vocal and with strings, pipes and chorus it moves into this wonderful drum driven symphonic piece like Turisas jamming with Tristania, Rammstein and Dimmu Borgir, it is awesome!

The next stand out song is 'Tropoiu Nevedannoi'mixing as it does medieval instruments, melody and full on black metal assault, the superb vocal delivey is, as throughout the whole album, sung in Russian,which is difficult to get your head around, but then i sing along to Rammstein so i and you will get used to it.

'Korochun' is a great traditional instrumental,could be from the soundtrack of the Dark Crystal which then leads into this really up beat sing-a-long called 'Pamiat'.

The final song is a big 10 minute ballad, again it is the traditional instrumentation that lifts this way above the average, and in the middle of the song it switches to an ambient soundtrack of birdsong and a flowing river, its weird because its strangley relaxing and i found myself being drawn in, because i sort of jumped when this flute came playfully through the speakers and it plays out to the end.

This is a stunning album, superb production and the quality of musicianship is unquestionable, it's one of those albums where word like "epic" just aint enough!

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : Turisas, Tyr, Korpiklaani, Clannad, Tristania, Skyclad