Band: Northland
Album title: Northland
Label: Black Bards
Distributor: Sonic Rendezvous
Release date: 25/06/2010
Release: CD

Who thinks folk metal bands only exist in the cold Scandinavia is totally wrong. Most folk bands and ‘neo-Vikings’ are covered in fur, but Northland is an exception. They are from Spain and there it is way too hot to wear fur. Enough chit chat, let’s have a look at what Northland has to contribute to the folk metal music scene.

Many songs on the album make me think of the most famous folk metal band around nowadays, called Korpiklaani. This influence can definitely be heard in the songs "The Old Town’s Inn", "Northland" and "Revenge". In this latter song, the keyboards are used in a very innovative way. These keyboards actually represent a flute and I think it’s quite a pity that the band doesn’t use a real flute. It would all seem more sincere, especially during a live show. Because, isn’t folk metal about going back to the basic elements? "In Immortal Forest Song" on the other hand, you feel much more connected to nature while listening to the track. "Lord Of The Flies" is a more down-tempo folk metal song which also sounds much more sinister than the other tracks. While listening, it feels like danger is really approaching you in a thick mist and that you will only be able to fight back when the danger is right in front of your nose.
The variation in tempo is one of the essential strengths of this album. There even is room for a ballad, as in "Distant Land".

Whereas Scandinavia has its Vikings, Spain has its Armada and Northland represents this in a very good way. A folk metal fan of any kind will definitely find at least three songs on this album he, or she of course, likes.

84/100

Nick Tronckoe.