I know I shouldn’t do this…I’m feeling more mean spirited than usual and moments like this should be reserved for reviewing the most poorly executed of college rock bands known to man. As a writer I sometimes get the overwhelming urge to theoretically spit the kind of venom that could reduce many a musician to jump off the nearest cliff (or tall building depending on where you live) but truth be told this album, while not exactly inspiring stuff, is hardly worthy of such damning words either. Why am I telling you this; well aside that my psychiatrist was busy I thought it best to begin with a disclaimer of sorts that whatever I’m about to write, and my guess is as good as yours, is likely to be absolute bollocks and you should under no circumstances take my word as gospel.
If you’re familiar with Heidevolk there’s a good chance you’ll know what to expect, and if not then the phrase Pagan folk metal might give you a clue or two what they are all about. With their last album being defiled by the dreaded voiceover I was perhaps somewhat kind although did point out that their music wasn’t exactly groundbreaking and there are better examples of the genre out there. Certainly when we mention bands such as Falkenbach and Thyrfing there is no comparison and this Dutch band are the Division 2 to their Premier League, so to speak. That’s not to say this is a bad album, and it’s mildly enjoyable so long as you take it for what it is and don’t expect too much from it.
‘Nehalennia’ comes crashing in gently to the shore, and straight away this has a pleasant melody that doesn’t make you want to bang your head so much as to sway to the rhythm. ‘Reuzenmacht’ has a similar feel to it and on this one I rather like the vocal wails, while there’s a nice acoustic guitar intro to ‘Dondergod’ that conjures up images of being gathered round the campfire as dusk falls, singing folk songs of yore and perhaps swigging yer ale to the merriment. It certainly paints a picture in this respect, however, I don’t think the atmosphere is quite as dense as I’d like, and I think is really essential for this type of music to work for me.
There’re some harsh blackened guitars on ‘Ostara,’ and again on ‘Vlammenzee’ they sweep straight in with a melody that picks you straight off the ground. In places there is a much more classic metal vibe; on ‘Dondergod’ there is a bit of Maiden-esque harmonizing while the drumming on ‘Karel van Egmond, Hertog van Gelre’ really kicks out some power of stadium-rock proportion. The potential is there, but for now I can’t help but feel there is something missing from their sound and until they find that extra spark they will continue to put out albums that simply fade into obscurity.
http://www.myspace.com/officialheidevolk
