| CD REVIEW Wolfchant |
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Band: Wolfchant Formed in 2003 in Bavaria, Germany, Wolfchant climbed up within the (European) Pagan-scene. After a couple of demos, the full lengths Bloody Tales Of Disgraced Lands (2005, CCP Records), A Pagan Storm (2007, CCP) and Determined Damnation (2009, their Massacre debut – review posted April 28th 2009) were recorded, strengthening the band’s position. This fourth studio album was recorded, after a handful of line-up changes, at Tonstudio E by Markus Stock (production, mix and mastering) and lasts for fifty five minutes. There is a limited edition too, including a bonus-DVD, which shows some live show in its totality.
The main difference with Wolfchant’s earlier material is the increased variety and diversity. The album is more variable, taking more and more elements from (related) genres. Yet at the same time, the whole has become catchier too – personally I think this recording is way too catchy and poppy, too predictable, too safe, too easy. The latter, ‘too easy’, does not mean that the songs are simple; it has to do with the increased commercial approach, unfortunately. Yes, this band, and this album, will please a huge audience, of course, but it will sicken some too.
Anyway, one cannot ignore the pounding energy. The hymns are extremely powerful and straight-forward – the victorious kind – without any fall-back. Both riffs and rhythm section are hammering and battering, and the varied vocal approach (grunts, screams, shouts, clean and harmony vocals) adds some extra variety too. And the interaction melody-aggression is, in its totality, nicely balanced as well. More than before, this album sounds Finnish - think Ensiferum, Falchion, Turisaz etc – yet other (non-Finnish) names that come to mind are, for example, Equilibrium, Heathen Foray or DoomSword. Unfortunately not that convincing… 60/100 Ivan Tibos. |
