Band: Varg
Album: Guten Tag
Genre: Black/ Pagan Metal
Label: NoiseArt
Release: November 27, 2012 (USA)

First off, the self-titled track “Guten Tag” is just one word: Epic. Varg balances heaviness with melodies, developing a unique sound. This track does not sound have a strong Black Metal influence, as the band’s previous releases did, but it still has that super catchy, and quite fantastic heroic folk melody in the chorus that we’ve come to expect from Varg. It’s a bit like a Melodic Death song with a fun Thrash metal kick!

A new sound for the band? Quite possible, as the tracks don’t sound as dark as a song such as Asatru, but throughout the album, you can still hear the original roots of the band. The track “Angriff” is a prime example of this. With the more melodic sound, at times a nod to what they have started out as is made, giving it that extreme edge that this band tends to put out. Could you ask for a better track? I think not. Well maybe “Horizont” may give you that little extra helping of black metal that you may need. This track starts off aggressive, with a dark atmosphere. The vocals range from a deep roar, to a higher pitch scream, showing that Freki and Managarm are a brute force to be reckoned with. All in all, this is just one solid song that would be absurd to skip.

As far as the pros and cons go, this album has nothing but great things to be said about it. Aggressive, yet calm, melodic, yet hard-hitting. This release packs a punch, that will deliver one heavy blow. Yes, the album is mostly sung in German, but there is one track sung in English. “A Thousand Eyes” features vocals from what sounds like Jonne Järvelä of Korpiklaani due to what appears to be his trademarked “joik” vocal style. Although, having an album sung in mostly German is simply bad-ass. This is one of the traits that makes Varg original, as they use their native tongue in their works. Stating a con on this album would simply just be a lie, as this album is diverse and very unique. There are, however, a few tracks that are wholly lackluster, but they aren’t at all bad songs.

Dark and uplifting, Guten Tag is an album that just delivers and won’t quit! By combining their pagan message with their aggressive thrash and black metal riffage, Varg is one of the most unique pagan metal bands out there. This release is a perfect example of how Varg is paving a name in the folk metal community. Guten Tag is their best release to date, and is a personal favorite of mine now. Why not pick up some merch online, and preorder the album? Have some new tunes, and share with your friends! Oh and must I mention for all you North American fans out there, that Varg will be supporting Eluveitie with Wintersun this winter, for a tour! Always been a Varg fan, but live in America, like me? Well then here is your chance to come see these guys execute a great high level performance! Preorder Guten Tag here, and show your support for these German metallers!

Rating

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Get the album here:

Bonus Digipack CD+DVD
Amazon.de
EMP.de

Other Versions
Napalm Records

Tracklist:

1. Willkommen
2. Guten Tag
3. Frei Wei Der Wind
4. Was Nicht Darf
5. Blut und Feuer
6. Angriff
7. Horizont
8. A Thousand Eyes
9. Weider Mel Verloren
10. Gedanke und Erinnerung
11. Leben
12. Anti
13. Apokalypse

Members:

Freki- Vocals and Guitar
Managarm- Bass, Guitar, and Vocals
Hati- Guitar
Fenrier- Drums
Skalli- Guitar

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Note from the DMK Editor:

GUTEN TAG! Possibly my favorite track of the year.

The post Guten Tag! VARG Cometh – Review appeared first on Der Metal Krieger.

Band: Borknagar
Album: Urd 
Genre: Black Metal 
Label: Century Media
Release Date: March 26, 2012

Now Borknagar differs quite a bit from Dimmu, it is quite a bit slowed down, but still quite as harsh due to the vocals and musicianship. This is not one of those bands where the brutality is delivered on a gore covered platter-you must sit back, grab a beverage and bask in the glory of this masterpiece. The stand out track at first listen is “Roots” which is a powerful song with dueling vocals throughout between ICS Vortex and frontman Vintersong. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxPRXaTpICM]Undoubtly the hook is alluring and the musicianship are picture perfect. It paints a perfect picture of duality, the main theme of this album musically, with your emotions being torn between anger, sorrow, and a myriad of unfathomable emotions which focuses on the Roots of all life, the beginning of the world in its most pure form. 

From then on, we delve into the other offerings this piece has to offer. There is the slower “The Beauty of Dead Cities” which utilized clean vocals throughout creating an eerie tone. Other then that track, we find ourselves a midst the rest of the album, which is remarkable for its ability to offer quaint rhythm, quick and technical musicianship, and craft a story from a musical and lyrical standpoint. Seldom do you feel song pulling at your emotions then “The Winter Eclipse” which starts out in a decent trot, but blows you away with the harsh vocals, then switches to the clean vocals to transition you, and so on and so forth. This track is one of ICS’s finest works, showing his true vocal range in a context that I have yet to hear in his work as of late.

This album is truly a masterpiece in the greatest sense, it evokes emotion, it captivates you, it pulls you into its grasps leaving you breathless. The main benefit to this album is the musical chiaroscuro, which leaves me to the only negative aspect of the work. The slower songs, such as the instrumental track, The Plains of Memories, don’t quite evoke the sense of power of duality and for that reason it can viewed as a refreshment between the other works, but also lulling to those who come to expect a purely harsh metal experience. Personally I find them a welcome change from the pace and keep the flow of the album trudging forward.

Thematically this album is beautiful, it us about us all. It is about Urd, the past, the existence of the human being as carved out from the shadow of Yggdrasil. One can even make ties with the dueling vocals to our lives daily, the highs and the lows: the anger, the epiphany, the life, love, and death we all experience.

Between the sinister swooning of ICS Vortex, and the inhuman growls of Vintersong, Urd does what is intended of all metal music. It leaves you thinking. It combines comfort with angst, power and transcendence.  It fills your mind with powerful thoughts, and leaves you exhausted from the journey. Not since I can remember, have I experienced an album with as much of a story and perfect transitions as they have managed to intertwine within the confines of a five minute average song.

Rating:

This beast is currently available for pre-order, with a pretty sweet package deal from Century Media Records.  It’s a must have and for around $20, it’s a steal. Click the image below to view pre-order options or visit CMDistro.com.

The post A Review of Borknagar’s Urd appeared first on Der Metal Krieger.