The double CD appears in an appealing layout in a gatefold format. And that really looks good. Then, for a start, I put CD one into the device of my computer... Prior to that, a certain tension kind of built up in me if they are good at what they are doing. Pagan Metal is not (yet) my world – reason enough to delve into this matter. As there are 30 contributed songs on this compilation, I’d like to narrow this review to the highlights.
NYDVIND from France as opener are doing their job really well. They are contributing an atmospheric and easy-going song with Heart Of The Woods off their debut Eternal Winter Domain from 2003, which is well produced and, in spite of missing variations in speed, exciting enough to deserve the rating “thumbs up”. But they make it to accelerate with their second sampler contribution Eclipse Over The Shadowed Land. The French sort of attack with very catchy Black Metal with a keen sense of melody and also convince with that one. NYDVIND thus is one of the big winners on this compilation across the Pagan underground.
The journey through NORDIC WARCHANTS continues with KAMPFAR. Ravenheart should already be known to insiders off the Kvass album. The Norwegians have a nose for catchy melodies and are another plus on this sampler. Leo’s nine points for the last HEL CD Tristheim some time ago make sense in view of the album track Zwielicht, Nebel, Dunkelheit, if the remaining songs are of such a fragile beauty. The Germans put me right that German lyrics wouldn’t fit fine to such music. That’s already the third plus and it will continue. AES DANA from France surprise with an extraordinary instrumentation on Les Griffes Des Oiseaux – singer Vidar screams his mind to the heavens while an Irish flute and a bagpipe support the guitar melodies; moreover the song is very varied concerning speed and dynamic shifts. Very fine!
The Norwegian/s MYRKGRAV are/is featured with a track from their/his debut Trollskau, Skrømt Og Kølabrenning. I don’t have to add anything to the praising words of Leo’s review. Very fine, melodic Black Metal with enthralling dynamical shifts from typical Black Metal riffing till clean, folklike-mellow passages call the shots on Finnkjerringa.
I have to mention implicitly IRMINSUL on CD number one. With Häxhammaren, the Swedes contributed a track of their second demo Urberg, which is really a pleasure listening to, as it reminds of a slightly blackened version of Skyclad, what might be up to the violin melodies and the staccato like, rhythmical vocals.
Besides familiar faces such as MÅNEGARM, HELHEIM and KOLDBRANN who are known for quality goods, there are more interesting acts on CD two. The one-man-army ANGANTYR comes up with rumbling, hymn-like mid tempo Black Metal, while GRIFTEFRID rely on dreamy, groovy Viking Metal with great vocals. ORLOG are the final highlight on these very entertaining, slightly above two and a half hours through the world of the (mainly) European Pagan/Viking/Black Metal.
An urgent purchasing recommendation for all those who aren’t that familiar with this genre but who still are open minded enough to dive into the colored world of the Pagans. It’s also recommendable for those who have already taken the genre to their hearts, because there is the one or the other band which hasn’t yet released an official CD and is featured worthily with demo tracks (which don’t have to hide behind bands with a record deal concerning the production).