Tag Archives: Pagan Metal

Eluveitie – Helvetios (2012) – Review

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Oh, Helvetian Ones, we salute you! You just have to love the drummer on steroids that the Swiss band Eluveitie1 employs. This guy seems to work himself from one frenzy to another on his drums. But then, ’tis the drummer’s fate on fast-moving metal pieces, right?

Helvetios yet again combines modern-day and archaic instruments into a savvy mix of red-hot Melodic Death Metal and olden folk. Pagan or Folk Metal that dissolves into Chrigel Glanzmann’s heavy growls and rumbles, seconded by the angelic voice of Anna Murphy. That’s pretty tasty, ain’t it? But will this new record really … [...] Click to raid more!

Hexenklad – Heathenheart (2021) – Review

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Archaeology says they were in Canada eons ago. We’re talking about the Norse explorers that (apparently) invaded modern-day Canada some 500 years before Columbus struck down South. Those are captivating stories about Vikings trying to settle what is today North America. Only to get in trouble with the Skraelings of a millennium ago and to finally abandon their quest.

This inspired several Canadian bands like SIG:AR:TYR to hop onto that very specific bandwagon (or Viking ship) and start riffing about it. And not only that. The mystical lands of the Canadian outback and its fascinating history motivated a small but … [...] Click to raid more!

Valfreya – Promised Land (2017) – Review

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I am unsure where this somewhat morbid fascination with the history of marauding Norsemen going Viking comes from. After all, they invaded the homesteads of foreign populations, looted, killed, raped, and enslaved until there was no one left. And then they settled the lands for whatever it was worth. I believe the dwellers of the early English kingdoms would have a few stories to tell.

But here we are, and Viking Metal bands are legion these days. And let’s face it: Metal with all its dark facets is just perfect to describe yonder sea adventures and battles alike. The RMR … [...] Click to raid more!

Varg – Zeichen (2020) – Review

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The German band Varg seems to hit a great many raw nerves around the metal community. The grievances are legion and range from unease about style to outright, virulent hatred.

As to the RMR crew, Varg never quite connected with our inner self to this day. We – indeed – stumbled across their wares in the past, but the love never generated that urge to write a review. Or any other article about that band for that matter.

Then there is the controversy about right-wing undercurrents that Varg apparently serviced. Something they vehemently denied in the meantime. As they all … [...] Click to raid more!