After sampler number one has revealed new worlds to me and has documented the state of affairs of the Pagan/Viking Metal scene quite well with a very thorough choice of the crème de la crème of the genre, the whole shebang goes to the next round.
The makers are also very interested in suggesting the fan the stylistic diversity of the Pagans among the Metal musicians and don’t limit themselves on Scandinavia only. As there is also produced heathenish noise in countries like Spain, Austria, Belgium and Slovenia as well as in the USA and Canada in spite of their geographical distance to the Norsemen.
NORDIC WARCHANTS II is not one bit worse in the direct comparison with the previous edition. Be it the splendid opener Part III of the Finnish one-man-project OCTOBER FALLS, which begins with an enchanting acoustic intro, before it continues with the first verse in a swaying three quarter time. Over and over again the main theme breaks in, so the song becomes a small hit with a long-term effect. IRMINSUL participate once again on this compilation as on the previous edition, this time with an older song off their 2006 Vinterskalder demo. On this one you also encounter majestic melodies – delight in playing dominates in this song and it sparks the listener from the first tune. A superb solo in the final part makes this delicacy perfect and I am thirsting for the first full-length, which already is completed, but thanks to the record company it’s a long time coming. The Spaniards NUMEN bludgeon competently, gloomily Nordic and with a sheer abysmal rage through Ahanzturaren Hilobia. There is an extremely interesting French export featured on this compilation with BRAN BARR, an offshoot of the likewise featured NYDVIND. On Rebirth – Morgan’s Gift To Righ Sidh the folksy element in the vocals and various wind instruments encounters a flawless Melodic Death Metal framework, which reminds of godlike albums like Lunar Strain or Subterranean of In Flames. Great combination, guys!
The makers decided to attach a DVD with gigs of some bands of the last year’s edition of the Ragnarök Festival as an extra goody for the fans of this festival (both compilations are some sort of festival-samplers). Almost all bands are featured with one song (KAMPFAR and RIGER by twos) in a very good image and sound quality. Unfortunately, bands like the Finnish exceptional doomsters Swallow The Sun, the Norwegians Vreid or my Munich-based neighbors Sycronomica didn’t make it on the DVD, but you can’t have everything, as there are boundaries set for such a project. Nevertheless, you can enjoy dedicated performances of most of the featured acts. That’s what it is about! That’s a fine gift for the Ragnarök 2007 visitors to remember the two March days and a merciless “your fault!” is dashed towards those who didn’t come across.