| CD REVIEW Wolfchant |
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Band: Wolfchant The German horde Wolfchant started in 2003. Not only their two first albums, Bloody Tales Of Disgraced Lands (2005) and A Pagan Storm (2007), both released through CCP Records, yet also their impressive appearances on different festivals and tours (with bands as Dark Funeral, Turisaz, Obituary, Ensiferum or Moonsorrow) made this band one of the leading ones within the German Pagan-scene. Recently the band signed to Massacre and the first result is called Determined Damnation, which lasts for almost fifty two minutes (for over an hour in case you might find the version with two bonus tracks). The album goes on in the spirit of both former ones, meaning: melodic and epic Metal with, besides a Folk / Viking / Pagan-foundation, a close relationship to, especially, Black Metal, yet also Heavy and Power Metal-elements are included. The nice production (Black Solaris Studio with Uwe Lulis; Rebellion, Paragon, Sieges Even, ex-Grave Digger) turns the album into a more sophisticated and more fluent one, and even though the lack of rawness hurts my tender ear drums, it won’t be correct to condemn the catchy but captivating sound. Both tempo and melody are varying, including a few acoustic and keyboard parts (intros etc), the vocals are mainly ‘blackish’ with some harmonious voices and choirs, and the rhythm section and lead guitars are energetic and beating. Main influences are Equilibrium (the German one, of course) and Ensiferum, but also bands and projects as Månegarm, Turisaz, Eluveitie, Nomans Land, even Black Messiah are acceptable comparisons. 80/100 Ivan Tibos. |