Band: Gwydion
Title: Horn Triskelion
Label: Trollzorn
Distribution: Metal Revelation
Release date: 09/04/2010
Review: CD

We’re really getting overcrowded with Folk-oriented releases lately, and it starts annoying me. Especially the will to sound just the same like any band that gained any success is sickening.
However, some bands do exceed the grey masses. It has to do with two things: or they are renewing, or they are just fantastic.

Gwydion are a Portuguese formation that belong to this last category. Formed in 1995 with the aim to define a mutual passion for Celtic history and epic Metal, these warriors became rather popular in their home country. The band recorded three demo tapes, yet it wasn’t until 2008 that a first studio full length got released. That debut album, Ynys Mön, and a first European tour (with bands as Tyr, Svartsot, Alestorm and Hollenthon, by the way) put Gwydion’s name on the international map, and the second full length, Horn Triskelion, will strengthen their position.

As a matter of fact, the band’s hymns are based on a melodic, epic and catchy Folk / Viking-base, including elements from Death and Black Metal. There’s much variation, another positive thing, and the use of ‘traditional’ elements (like bagpipes, flutes, …) is, in this case, done with attention for authenticity instead of trying to impress a brainless audience with a ‘would-be’-attitude (it happens whole the time, so we don’t need this kind of shit anymore).
Every single track differs. Sometimes it does sound intense and harsh, then again more medieval, or rather symphonic, etc. But Gwydion maintains a certain cohesion, making Horn Triskelion a unique experience.
Besides, from time to time the band also includes rather ‘original’ elements – think about the bombastic, neo-symphonic intermezzos (Oflussa, for example, with its classical influences), the traditional sounds, a huge vocal scala (grunts, screams, epic choirs, melodic vocals, harmony chants, female vocals, spoken words etc), and so on.
Another interesting element is the trans-European approach. There are several Pagan- or Celtic-influenced bands in Iberia, but Gwydion also include elements from bands from, for example, Sweden and Finland, the Alpine countries, the Lowlands, Germany, the British Islands (Caledonia, Ireland), the Baltic states, and so on.

Some parts do sound somewhat predictable, unfortunately, and a few times Gwydion fall into a cliché-matic ease. These are absolutely minor and ignorable to the whole, but a pity from time to time.

Conclusion: Horn Triskelion isn’t the best Folk / Viking / Death / Black / Pagan release this century, but in comparison to, let’s say, the majority of the current releases, this is a relief. And a recommendation to fans of the scene!...

FYI: recorded and produced in Pentagon by Fernando Matias (F.E.V.E.R.), and mixed + mastered at the famous Top Room Studios with Børge Finstad.

81/100

Ivan Tibos.