It’s not just the likes of Amon Amarth who like dressing up in chain-mail and re-enacting battles and hailing their ancestry. Volkolak are a band from the vastlands of Russia and the first thing that grabbed my attention was the photo on the back of this booklet with two warriors proudly holding babies aloft. With this and the overall imagery, design and artwork I was really expecting this to be epic stuff of the Graveland (a band I admit I just can’t get into) tradition. I was rather surprised and pleased on playing it to find out that this is essentially an album of pagan, heathen folk music.Originally released in 2004 ‘Hail To The God Of The Sun’ (can’t you just imagine Christopher Lee hollering that line?) is an enchanting forest forage and despite being sung in traditional language has in the booklet full translation for all the lyrics and song titles. Singing along might prove a bit tricky but at least you can get an insight into where the band are coming from. ‘To The God Of Fire’ is heavily led melody wise by the twang of a Jews harp and this instrument is prolific throughout the album. I guess in effect this draws similarities to the music of Korpiklaani but obviously at a much gentler pace.
Melody wise ‘To Russians’ is a patriotic call to arms with a flute gently twisting to and fro between the triumphant vocals. ‘Yew Grove’ has a drinking fervour to it, although it is still far from hurried pace-wise the annunciation of the vocals is ever forceful and you can imagine flagons of mead being thumped down on a mighty oak table as the warriors get caught up in discussion. ‘To The People Of East Russia’ has an almost yodelled out chant to it and the folk elements remind of many different bands such as Aes Dana, Skyforger, and Cruachan and even though this is not metal per se it should still appeal to those with an inclination towards such groups.
The infectious merry jig behind ‘Vavila’ draws you in and the battle horn clarion call of the title track is a precursor to an ode of freedom, spirit and as the translation cites rather strangely combing of hair? This album is certainly an interesting listen to anyone wanting to embrace olden traditions and is a bit like stepping back into a medieval fair selling pigs on spits and various crafts and wares and of course mead. The only annoyance was the fact that is a video clip attached to this ‘Feat Of A Grey King’ which I simply couldn’t get to play on any media player. Mind you the fan myspace page has some videos on that you can check out along with Volkolak’s music.