Band : Pilgrimz

Album title : Boar Riders

Label : I Scream

Distributor : SPV - CNR

Release date : 27/06/2008

Release : CD

Although this Danish quartet (consisting of manic singer/shouter Max Vegas, guitarist/ backing vocalist Aage, bassist/ Backing vocalist Hermann, and drummer Nal)is currently operating from their country's capitol city of Copenhaven, they formed on the island of Falster (right under the Copenhaven island, and some 120-130 kms South from the city) in 1998.

Thanks to the band's self-released EPs Good Day Mister President (2000) and The Caravan Was Only Bait (2003), Pilgrimz got their name known all over Denmark, as with help from national radio host and Metal expert Michael Holm Andersen the band got great reviews done on both recorded material ànd live performances. The latter only arriving àfter the demo years. Yep, the guys only hit the road after the release of their demos, and they immediately succeeded in playing supports to the likes of such known Danish bands as Barcode, Mercenary, Mnemic, Raunchy, and even got to share the stage with a couple of internationally important acts, such as Enslaved and Entombed. Live reviews were resoundingly positive, one speaking of "...the Metal Hives..." (Metalized), another writing "...if James Brown had a Metal band, Pilgrimz surely would be it!" (the latter comment coming forth from the somewhat exhuberant vocal style the man "uses". The people at Roskilde Festival commented in early 2008, "...you are also easily reminded of a Danish cousin to Pantera's Phil Anselmo...", a description which pretty much hits the nail, just to use a(nother) line from the biography). Somehow, the guys had cmoe in contact with top producer Jacob Hansen, and a strong relationship was wrought.In 2006, the band was competing next to Barcode, Hatesphere, Mercenary, and Mnemic when they got nominated for "Best live act" at the Danish Metal Awards, and in early 2007 all the hype around the band got them signed to a management deal with Dream Fire Agency. Things could now really get serious, and the band was soon sent into the studio, with Hansen of course, to record the 10 songs on the Boar Riders album. To make the recordings come out as best as possible, the mastering was handed over to the equally internationally reputed Tue Madsen.

Then, finally, the band signed a deal with I Scream Records for the worldwide distribution of the album. The band's material is descriped quite genarally as being inspired by ScandinavianMetal, Dirty Rock 'n' Roll, and modern Hardcore, which is a confusing desription at best. I mean, even I had some trouble making up an idea of how the music would sound. So, here's me trying to bring a somewhat more clear-cut idea: imagine the guys playing Melodic Scandinavian Metal with a Hardcore drive, and with the instrumentalists only being three, there's room for each and every one of the musicians to come to the fore. In fact, every musican is equally as important when it comes to bringing the many breakdowns and pace changes to a good end. But the guys àre a well-oiled, well-trained, perfectly in-sinc music machine indeed! Oh, gotta go back to the "Dirty Rock 'n' Roll" influence: simply put, this brings a somewhat down-tuned play...which more than frequently gives the whole a somewhat Southern Metal tinge. Then, both the guitarist and bassist also bring in their two cents worth of additional vocals, following suit in the maniacal style of their lead singer, and making for a vocal diversity which is simply exhilerating!

Now if thàt still leaves the musicaldescription somewhat unclear, why don't you just surf to myspace.com/pilgrimz, where the band posted no less than 4 of the 10 songs (total album length: 46 ½ minutes) on the album, plus the great video for the track "Shake-A-Feather"! Regretfully, that will give you no audio on the tracks (the opening of "Drama King & Drama Queen", plus mid-section and end part of "The Caravan Was Only Bait") where the boys possibly used vocal samples from movies (they might very well be self-made). If what you hear at MySpace, entices you to catch a live show in order to make up your mind about possibly going out to buy the album, you may have to wait a little. For the time being, live efforts will be concentrated to Denmark/ Scandinavia, the band appearing at Spot Festival in June, Roskilde Festival in July, the launch event with Agnostic Front, As We Fight and Obituary in August, and going on the MTV Headbangers Ball Tour with Last Mile, Mercenary, and Raunchy in September. European tours will come after that...and rest asured: they will come, because the band has just recently signed international booking deals with 3 booking agencies! Anyway, if you're pleased with what the band offers on their MySpace, I see no reason for you to not buy the album immediately...or you woùld have to be the most sorry indecisive music fan I know! Personally, I feel this band rócks, and is certainly destined for big things to come...my nomination of the album into my year-lists being the best expression about my feelings altogether!

98/100

Tony.