Sunrunner-Heliodromus

Minotauro Records
2015

"Heliodromus" is the third full-length release from Portland, Maine's Sunrunner. Their first release on Minotauro Records, "Heliodromus" is a grand adventure that explores themes related to the Mithraic Mysteries and even if it is not technically a concept album this intelligent recording is (arguably) the band's most epic release to date! It's also the heaviest Sunrunner has ever been since they first came together back in 2008. Originally starting off as more of a progressive rock band than anything else (with small amounts of heavy metal tossed in for good measure!), Sunrunner has obviously evolved over the course of three albums, but "Heliodromus" takes things to a whole different level! After a short introduction the five minute plus "Keepers of the Rite" starts things off with a highly explosive and utterly wicked bang (!) and before long this talent-laden lot throws caution to the wind as they add power metal, classic metal/N.W.O.B.H.M. and even doom (!!) to a well-expanded progressive rock sound that already included unique instrumentation, odd arrangements and exotic (musical) elements. Speaking of which, "Heliodromus" is one of those fun recordings where just when you think you have this band tagged they come from out of nowhere to (pleasantly) surprise you with something completely different! Sure enough the promo material for this is absolutely correct when it talks about Sunrunner being a "epic progressive heavy metal, influenced by Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and German power metal". That part of Sunrunner is a beast and then some! Throw in a reference point or two to post-"Black Album" Metallica and possibly even Helloween and you're looking at this band's heavier edge. It's all golden, but then again so is this band's folk metal side! Yes, you heard that right. This band has a folk metal side (try on "The Plummet" or size) and what's more I love it! That in and of itself might not sound all that unusual, but for the fact that I usual can take or leave folk metal (and it's mostly leave!) and I enjoyed the hell out of this part of Sunrunner! Such folk metal works extremely well when paired up next to heavy moments like "Technology's Luster" and (collectively) it all builds up rather expertly to the album's closing number (and certainly this album's most-ambitious moment), "Heliodromus". With a run-time that clocks in at 21:13 (!), "Heliodromus" is as insane a cut as it is epic and it ends a neat journey that started by way of the 28 second "Dies Natalis Soli Invicti". With it's solid production and influx of creative arrangements, "Heliodromus" is easily recommended to fans and newcomers alike. You can check out the trailer to this intriguing album below and for more information on this Portland collective be sure to check out the band's Facebook page here.

Dirty Shirt-Dirtylicious

Promusic Production 
2015

Anyone remember Dirty Shirt? I sure do. How could I not? It isn't every day that you get introduced to one of rock and roll's most pioneering, unconventional and innovative bands! "Crossover Folkcore Metal" might just be this Romania band's official tag, but I know it's only rock 'n roll and I like it, like it, yes, I do! Oh snap! Here I am getting ahead of myself once again (once more for like the billionth time!) so let's rewind the old VCR tape and hit pause when we get to this point where we first meet Romania's Dirty Shirt. It was actually back in December of 2013 that I covered the group's third full-length album, "Freak Show", and had a interview with band member Mihai Tivadar. Self-described as one of the most original and active rock bands in Romania, the award winning Dirty Shirt is based in Seini and their far out (as in WAY FAR OUT THERE!) style combines folk music with hard rock and heavy metal. In and of itself that might not sound all that unique as there are plenty of folk rock and metal bands making the rounds these days. Truth be told the group's use of traditional instruments like the violin, clarinet, accordion and cimbalom (dulcimer) isn't that innovative either. On paper it sure sounds like a case of been there done that right? The key phrase there would be "on paper" as the truth of the matter is when it comes to "Dirtylicious" we're talking about non-stop craziness where all that you can expect is the unexpected! I'd love to be able to use the term "punk" when it comes to the music and lifestyle of Dirty Shirt, but the only thing punk about this band would be their refusal to conform to convention folk metal standards. On their past releases Dirty Shirt would toy with punk rock just as much as they would toy with everything from electronic rock to funk. With "Dirtylicious" the band still splices and dices the folk with other styles of music but mostly it's just spoonfuls of rock, hard rock and (most importantly) metal. In a way it's a more "traditional" or "straight-forward" sort of album. Or better yet it's a more focused effort. Because really Dirty Shirt is still Dirty Shirt. This is still the same group of funtastic rockers who can make armageddon look and feel like a well-orchestrated, black tie event. And yes, Dirty Shirt is still capable of clearing out a room chock full of the fuddy-dubby faster than you can say "Ladies and gentlemen I'd like you to put your hands together now for the comedic stylings of Pope Francis"! In other words Dirty Shirt is as wicked and wild as they were on "Freak Show" only now they are out there on the streets dealing a more pure product. And what a trip that product produces! Three cheers and free beer all around for the makers* of the marvelous album! Produced by band member Mihai Tivadar, "Dirtylicious" is not to be missed! You can order Dirty Shirt's new album over at the group's bandcamp page and if you haven't had the chance to read either my review of "Freak Show" or the interview that I did with band member Mihai Tivadar then be sure to head right here friends!


*In addition to band members Dan "Rini" Crăciun (vocals), Robert "Metalistu" Rusz (vocals), Mihai Tivadar (guitars, synths), Cristian Bălănean (guitars), Dan Petean (guitars), Pál Novelli (bass) and Vlad "X" Ţoca (drums) the album "Dirtylicious" featured the following guests:

Assica Jelba-additional synths on "Dirtylicious" and "Dulce-i vinu"

Transylvanian Folkcore Orchestra: Marius Sabo (violins), Andrei Oşan (clarinet), Leonard Negrea (cimbalom), Ciprian Ghiaţă (accordion) and Cserey Csaba (percussion).

Protokult-No Beer In Heaven

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Calling Toronto, Ontario home (even if we are talking about a group with Polish, Irish, Russian and Czech members!) we have the band Protokult and their (horrific prophesy masquerading as an album title) release "No Beer In Heaven". Initially formed as a three-piece (Martin Drozd-Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer, Dawid Slowiak-Bass and Mike Matveev-Drums) and having had more than it's fair share of shake-ups (the ex-members list being a half-mile long and all!) this Canadian collective features the following musicians on this, the group's sophomore outing:
Martin Drozd- Vocals, guitars, darbuka, jaw harp, synthesizer
Ekaterina – Soprano and traditional vocals, recorders, psaltery, zhaleika & sopilka.
Dawid Slowiak- Bass, group chants
Jeremy Jackson (Vodnik) – Guitars, group chants
Mike Matveev- Drums
Now, if you are looking at that line-up and thinking to yourself  "Gee, with that line-up I'm betting that we're talking about a folk metal something or rather metal band" then give yourself a great big pat on the back!
Protokult, whose lyrical interests include history, paganism and folklore, are every bit a folk loving band. The only difference between these "Canadians" and similarly-themed acts is the way in which everything is executed! First things first. I'll throw this info out so that there is NO mistaking where I'm coming from with bands like this. When it comes to folk and metal it's not a particular genre that I'm terribly familiar with or even comfortably reviewing. But, I'm always open to whatever crosses my path music-wise and this one came from a wonderful individual so I'm jumping head fist into these waters friends! With that said we're talking about folk metal or metal folk (!), but with this group there's some interesting black metal elements  and there's even a bit of an attempt made at adding ambient overtures!  As the follow-up to 2011's "Marzena", with the band's full-length debut album, "Ancestral Anthems" having dropped in 2010 (seven years after the band first formed!), "No Beer In Heaven" apparently started off as a collection of material intending to fill out an EP. Or at least that's how it sounds going by the promo material. Whatever the case may be this one benefits greatly from Ekaterina Pyatkova's lovely voice (a lovely voice to match a lovely front-lady-how can you go wrong?) and the fact that it seldom wanders off two far off of the beaten track! All-around atmospheric (dark and eerie!) and defiantly living up to the whole "pagan metal" thing (as well as showing a love for alcohol which is something I can always appreciate!) Protokult's creative "No Beer In Heaven" has it's own level of heaviness to go along with it's adventurous song-constructions. Even if I'm not the best person to review these kind of LPs I do know what I like and what I find enjoyable and this one hit both of those targets! While I simply cannot give any recommendations (in so far as who this group sounds like) I do recommend "No Beer In Heaven" as a release. From it's dark vibe to it's semi-inventive (to these ears) take on folk metal (and not to mention it's construction and overall execution!) "No Beer In Heaven"  is a cool release and one that I will be partaking off at my next earliest convenience!

Dark Forest-The Awakening

Cruz Del Sur Music
2014

Dark Forest first appeared on my radar thanks to their appearance on the excellent "Madder Than A Full Moon Dog" DVD (http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Madder+Than+A+Full+Moon+Dog) where they played "The Wizard of Alderley Edge". Drawn in by their inspired take on heavy metal/power metal I quickly went out and snagged a copy of their 2009 self-titled disc off of which the track appears. That album has received many plays in my household and now this UK act,  which hails from Dudley, West Midlands, England and was first formed in 2002, hits back with album number three, "The Awakening"! While the band's enjoyable blend of traditional heavy metal (which also borrow from their home country's classic scene via some well-placed N.W.O.B.H.M.!) and power metal is still present the new disc (all fifty or so minutes of it!) also indulges in some folk metal-leanings. For my money though this one is still heavy metal through and through and for a band that (not all that long ago mind you!) saw some line-up changes the consistency is still present and the band just keeps on trucking! With not only a new guitarist in tow in Pat Jenkins (Grene Knyght), but also a new lead vocalist in Josh Winnard (an ex-Wytch Hazel member he replaces William Lowry-Scott as the band's front man) one would think that the band might endure a few hiccups between studio releases. Seeing as the band started writing this one back in 2012 that doesn't prove to be the case as "The Awakening" is a strong release from a band that (unfortunately) not many people seem to be aware of. Maybe this album will change all of that? Who knows? But, even if a handful of people get turned on to what these UK merchants of metal are doing then I'd consider this review to be a success!

www.facebook.com/Darkforestuk

Hounds of Annwn-Stirling

Contorted Records
2013

Released on October 24th "Stirling", which can be witnessed in it's entirety at the bandcamp link below (where it's also a name-your-own-price download friends!), is a 2-track EP from Syracuse, New York-based Hounds of Annwn. If the band name (or for that matter the artwork posted above!) isn't enough of a hint at what this particular outfit brings to the table then I'll spell it out for you. We're talking about folk metal here and yes, just like their promo material rightly points out, Syracuse, New York is "maybe not the first place you would go to find a new and exciting folk metal band." For that matter I'm not sure I would even think it possible that an area like that could end up producing an outfit like this! And yet here it is and, despite maybe wearing their Blind Guardian and Alestorm influences a bit too close for comfort (an issue that should be addressed with the passage of time and further experience one would imagine), the band (Daniel Barbour - vocals and rhythm guitar,  Connor Hoffman - lead guitar, programming and backing vocals and Joe Sopchak - keyboards and backing vocals) does a fine job with the material at hand. Of the two tracks here it's the eight minute plus title cut that did it for me as it rightly balances the powerful rock side of this folk metal band with catchy melody to spare! Hounds of Annwn are in a good place right now as folk metal continues to climb in popularity and (one would think at least) should they produce a solid full-length release in the near future their fan base should explode!

http://houndsofannwn.bandcamp.com/

Metal Message - "Compilation V"

Metal Message
2008

When was the last time you heard of a CD compilation that came packaged in a DVD case? There can't be all that many out there right? I mean I rummaged through my memory banks and couldn't think of one. Not one. True, it might not be entirely practical as far as shipping them and displaying them. And yet I can't help but wish more compilations came housed in a nice DVD case like this! But anyway, on compilation number "V" from our friends at Metal Message, which is a limited edition affair (mine being 1,496 out of 2000!), the name of the game is pagan metal. Truthfully speaking and all I'm not the least bit knowledgeable when it comes down to said subject. But, I'm always open to new and exciting things (hey, I even tried marriage once friends!) so I dove into this one head first and took a long swim in the deep, dark and cold waters that is pagan metal. And what did I discover? Well, first off let's take a look at the overall packaging of this compilation from it's case to it's 30 pages booklett. Yes, you read that right friends. The booklet that comes with this compilation is 30 pages long with band pictures and line-up/contact information for said bands. Along with beautiful shots of nature (as pagan metal has a powerful connection with nature) this is one great booklet and let me just say that this is how you do serious heavy metal justice to a various artists compilation! What we have on hand here is a deluxe package for a compilation that, while described overall as a pagan metal compilation, actual has bands that also play folk metal and viking metal. With this 2008 compilation, which also comes with a neat little postcard, you get it all (pagan/viking/folk) with most tracks running about five minutes or so on average with a total run-time being in the neighborhood of one hour and seventeen minutes.As I would have no prior reference points for any of these bands I do realize that going track by track would probably not make much sense. Instead I'll list it for you all to read over and then give you my overall impression of it below.

1. Fimbulvet - Helias Bann
2.. Hromovlad - Slavia
3. Tumulus - Kochevonov Plyas
4. Dark Forest - Journey To Ever-Eternal Skies
5. Tiwaz - The Battlelore
6. Dyrathor - Im Auge des Sturms
7. Xerion - No Pazo Derruido Da Existencia
8. Adorned Brood - Sons Of The Damned
9. Waylander - As Deities Clash
10. Natan - Volkskracht
11. Andras - Miasma Track
12. Obscurity - Nach Asgard wir reiten
13. Vinternatt - De Zwarte Mis 


These bands come from all over the world. We open with Fimbulvet, who hail from Germany and have a stripped-down and raw viking metal vibe going for them, and we close with Belgium's Vinternatt who, in spite of coming across as harsh more often then not thanks to the black metal vocals of Bert Baeyens, add an interesting element to their sound with the use of the violin! Along the way we have bands popping up from Slovakia (Hromovlad), Canada (Dark Forest), Brazil (Tiwaz), Spain (Xerion) and Ireland (Waylander). So, a lot of ground (distance-wise across this great globe of ours!) is covered here on "V" and for fans of pagan metal (as well as both viking and folk metal) that can't be a bad thing I figure. Admittedly I'm not sure what else to add to this review as my understanding of said genres is vastly inferior to the bulk of heavy metal blog writers. Still, I will say that I found this compilation interesting if nothing else. A few of the tracks were a tad long for my short attention span (the Dark Forest track is over 8 minutes long!), but I'm still glad I gave it a chance as it's always best to try out new bands and new styles of music when ever you can! So, in a nutshell I found the packaging to be killer (the booklet is stunningly put together folks!) while the actual music ran from decent to good. If you're a fan of pagan metal then this release isn't a bad way to go (especially as it makes for a cool addition to any collection thanks to the packaging alone!).

Finsterforst-Rastlos

Napalm Records Handels GmbH
2012

Germany's Finsterfrost ("German for "Dark Forest") are described as "nature-loving warriors hailing from the German Black Forest". The Black Forest ("Schwarzwald'") is a stunning area that is well-known in the band's home state. It is both a place of beauty and a place that is dark and mysterious. It is therefore all the more fitting a name for this folk metal/black metal band. For that matter so is the album title. Choosing to call their fourth album "Rastlos" ("Restless") makes sense of the music seems almost restless at times. Finsterforst offers a sound that is equal parts sorrowful folk and unrestrained black metal. Not a new idea of course as there are more and more bands coming down the pipeline that make their living by offering up a mixture of folk/folklore and the more extreme parts of black metal. What hope then is there for this German band then to set themselves  apart from the pack? Even the use of authentic instruments like the accordion (And even a full horn section?) have been done before. I'm almost positive of that fact. But, fear not as there are a few things to be thankful about "Rastlos". Besides the obvious, talented musicians writing sophisticated material, There are nice little touches to be found. Having choir arrangements in place to back up what are some very sinister lead vocals is a very wise move. It shakes things up some as does the album's overall vibe. While the material is dark and grim (And rightly so for this kind of metal darkness) there is also this melancholic appeal to this release as if Finsterforst are pouring out their sorrow over the course of this unwinding journey. In that sense this is also epic metal as the whole affair seems more like a work of adventure-themed metal. With a subtle production that neither over-enhances the music here or allows it to get lost in the background (Both of which I've seem ruin many a good album, folk/black metal or not) "Rastlos" is perfect soundtrack for a dark and chilly night when all you want is to warm your bones by the fire with a pint in your hand.