While Riger seem to be quite well known in their native Germany, I’m afraid to say they are a new band to my ears though a quick five minutes on the band’s MySpace piqued my interest enough for me to want this album. Streyf is the fifth album by these Paganic metallers and while I listened to it with all the best intentions, I can’t help but feel there is something lacking in their sound. Now, I don’t know if this is just me searching for something that isn’t there; I still contest that folk metal can sound downright messy if not done well and Streyf is far from the worst example of the style that I have heard, but nor is it the best either.
This largely flits between raging black metal and lively folk melodies and does so rather well; ‘Honour in Victory, Honour the Fallen’ storms forth with a blasting foray of drums and venomous barks before the fierce chorus gives way to what sounds like a hard and heavy version of the riverdance and for me is easily the most memorable number on the album. ‘Greed’ comes bristling in with some intense drum fills that really stand out as they are met with the harsh guitars, while ‘Nightmare’ is equally intense. I do however find the high pitched guitars rather enervating after a while and is one of the things that just spoils this for me; they don’t work with the rest of the music and they are rather lacklustre in execution. It must be said also that the vocals are fairly monotonous. While this album isn’t totally horrendous, at times it feels as though it has lost it’s way; as though it keeps going aimlessly around in circles treading the same paths until lethargy kicks in and they just really can’t be bothered, but carry on anyway.
‘Metall’ charges ahead with some formidable drumming and has a rather upbeat jig to it that brings to mind Eluveitie, and is followed by the sonorous ‘Beloved Anger’ that is given a delightfully mellow tone by the Flamenco guitars and hushed Germanic whispers. There are one or two reflective moments on here, as with the end note of ‘Streyf’ that comes in with a storming blackness and continues with a Gothic thread of heavy bass and a steady beat that gives off a rather melancholic and reflective vibe. There is certainly a Paganic feel to all of this that I like, and that comes across rather well. Although while there is no shortage of things to like in Streyf, it is nothing to shout to the gods about.
http://www.myspace.com/rigerofficial
http://www.myspace.com/ureuropa
