Ensiferum

Under Siege – Under Siege Review

Under Siege – Under Siege Review

By Dr. Wvrm on January 18, 2018 in 2018, Folk Metal, Italian Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 34 comments

“I can never quite get my head around how quickly Bandcamp staked out such an integral position in my life. The online marketplace is responsible for expanding my listening horizons as well as keeping me attuned to what people I respect (and El Cuervo) find worthy of purchase. Plus, letting me truffle-pig for releases that might not hit the promo bin is how I found Æther Realm. It’s also how I came across Under Siege. The Italians’ folky, eclectic brand of melodeath hooked me from the start, and the notion that their debut might go unreviewed was too painful to allow.” The agony and ecstasy of the fanboy.

Ensiferum – Two Paths Review

Ensiferum – Two Paths Review

By Dr. Wvrm on September 13, 2017 in 2017, Finnish Metal, Folk Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Folk Metal, 60 comments

“Until now the Finns proved largely exempt from the Law of Diminishing Recordings™. Unsung Heroes may have polarized the metal community, yet in my estimation, an inability to execute on lofty goals, not a weakening sound, purpled that particular nurple. 2015’s One Man Army proved as much. Still, time marches on, and Two Paths proves no one is above the Law.” Folk law.

Black Messiah – Walls of Vanaheim Review

Black Messiah – Walls of Vanaheim Review

By Eldritch Elitist on July 3, 2017 in 2017, Folk Metal, German Metal, Reviews, Trollzorn Records, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Power Metal, 10 comments

“Holy shit, Black Messiah. This is one of those little bands that I found in the mid-00’s while first delving into the metal underground that, though kinda cool in their unorthodox approach, I inevitably forgot about in the wash of better bands. Yet I instantly remembered these Germans once I saw their seventh album Walls of Vanaheim in the promo bay, their blend of epic folk metal, pagan black metal and power metal rushing back in a wave of nostalgia and phantom headaches triggered by memories of awful production. I snagged it without hesitation for old times’ sake, and sure enough, this was the same Black Messiah I had listened to casually in my teenage years, warts and all.” Viking roars and pagan warts.

Dusius – Memory of a Man Review

Dusius – Memory of a Man Review

By GardensTale on March 22, 2017 in 2017, Extreme Metal Music, Folk Metal, Italian Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Viking Metal, 65 comments

“There’re as many ways to suck as there are to rock. There’re bands like Akoma and Starkill that make watered down, lowest common denominator crap. There’re can’t-be-arsed bands like Green Bastard that sound uninterested in their own music. And there’re the inept enthusiasts, of which newcomers Dusius might be the patron saint. This band clearly love what they do, but most of it is truly, genuinely bad.” We are bad, and that’s good. We will never be good, and that’s not bad.

Vorgrum – Last Domain Review

Vorgrum – Last Domain Review

By Eldritch Elitist on October 16, 2016 in 2016, Argentinian Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Via Nocturna, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 12 comments

“Somewhere along my personal timeline of listening to extreme music I formed an imaginary line dividing two equally valid camps of folk metal. On one side, you have your bands of brooding boys who like to pose next to frozen streams for their promo shots in between discussions of just how great Windir was; on the other, you have your gangs of drunken revelers, crowding into the nearest tavern to relate raucous tales of wenches and trolls to any half-willing passersby.” Is that a troll on the cover or are you just happy to see me?

Equilibrium – Armageddon Review

Equilibrium – Armageddon Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 10, 2016 in 2016, Folk Metal, German Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Folk Metal, 26 comments

It’s hard not to be in the mood for some folk metal when I wake up every morning surrounded by towering pine trees and solar-eclipsed mountains. The birds chirping incessantly, the sun patiently ascending the treetops, and the gentle breeze carrying the sweet smell of dew-tickled pine needles. These are the surroundings that make folk metal. And what better way to take in this lush atmosphere than with a new Equilibrium release? Sure, there are bands better suited for my morning cup of coffee, but these Ensiferum and Finntroll worshipers have been delivering quality folk metal for close to fifteen years. 2016 finds them in a dark mood—a mood altogether surprising to a band known for being folking fun. So what happens when the band unleashes Armageddon on its fans? Is it too late to shut this off before the trees catch fire?

Thrawsunblat – Metachthonia Review

Thrawsunblat – Metachthonia Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on July 4, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Folk Metal, Ignifera Records, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 93 comments

“Thrawsunblat is a bit more related to black metal than the last two Woods of Ypres records were, but the late David Gold’s influence is certainly felt here. It’s easy to hear some similarities to Ensiferum along with newer Winterfylleth, but there’s a very Canadian element that sets Thrawsunblat apart.” The Woods live on….

Varg – Das Ende aller Lügen Review

Varg – Das Ende aller Lügen Review

By Madam X on January 6, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Folk Metal, German Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, Napalm Records, Reviews, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, Thrash Metal, 29 comments

“The arrival of 2016 finds the tides turning for Varg, now signed to Napalm Records. Das Ende aller Lügen (The End of All Lies) is here and with it Varg presents their latest direction—one encouraging impulsivity, unpredictability, revelry and brute force. All packaged in nice bright red war paint.” Madam X is here to tell you about the creepy German dogs she dragged home. Who’s not interested in that?