Metal Wyrd

For me, the true test of talent for any Folk-Metal, Pagan-Metal, or Viking-Metal band is not how speedy the drummer’s feet can propel the group forward. Nor is it how swiftly the down-tuned riffs can fly from the hands of its guitarists. Nor is it how much of a Cookie Monster the vocalist can be.

If that was all it took to make it big these days, you couldn’t walk six feet without tripping over a successful Pagan-Metal band.

So, for me, the true worth of a band is measured in the notes it doesn’t play, in the volume it withholds, and in the variety of styles in which it renders its creative visions.

In other words, a band has to wow me with its musical virtuosity before I will embrace it and return often to its music.

I wasn’t familiar with the quintet Helfahrt prior to Trollzorn sending me a promo copy of Wiedergang, which is scheduled for release July 4th. But after hearing the album a half dozen times over the past couple of days, I think I’ve found another band that I’ll turn to often. And not necessarily because of Continue Reading »

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It’s impossible not to like Journeys, Fables, and Lore, the debut album from Lunarium, a new band that hails from Waverly, Ohio.

Frankly, I haven’t heard anything this darn fun in a long time.

Everything about Journeys is first-rate (with the possible exception of production, but I’ll get to that in a minute): The glossy, multi-fold CD booklet is very well designed, with lyrics printed black against a lighter parchment-like color (so they’re easily readable), the fonts chosen — although from a faux-Celtic font family — don’t hinder readability, either. Kudos to new Ohio-based label Farvahar Records for the TLC.

The music (”Ale-Swilling, Trollslaying, Angry Celtic Metal,” according to their MySpace page) isn’t what you’d typically expect from a band in this genre — even an angry, trollslaying one. “Cookie-Monster” growls are kept to a Continue Reading »

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If you didn’t purchase tickets to this year’s ProgPower USA metal festival in Atlanta, Georgia…too bad. They’re gone.

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A couple of weeks ago, Metal Wyrd’s Bill Murphy caught up with the ever-busy Eluveitie [“El-way-tea”] bassist Rafi Kirder for a lengthy chat about music, life, work, inspirations, movies, and preparing for the Swiss Folk-Metal band’s first tour of the U.S. as part of Pagan Fest USA 2008, a highly anticipated tour that also features Ensiferum, Tyr, and Turisas. Rafi, whose “evil twin brother” Sevan shares the stage with him in Eluveitie and Celtic folk band Red Shamrock, laughed a lot during our interview – as you’ll soon discover.

Eluveitie recently signed a deal with Nuclear Blast and released its third album, Slania, this year.

The interview was conducted via Skype. I called Rafi, who had just recovered from a bad case of the flu. NOTE: All photos, except for album covers, were graciously provided by Rafi.

RK: Hello Bill. Can you hear me? [laughs]

BM: Hi, how are you?

RK: Fine, fine. [laughs] How are you?

BM: Great. Doing well, thank you.

RK: Great.

BM: Are you feeling better now?

RK: Yeah, really. I’m feeling fine now.

BM: Good. I appreciate your time today. It’s great to talk to you.

RK: Yes. No problem.

BM: By the way, your English is great. I don’t know what you were worried about. [laughs]

RK: [laughs] Thanks a lot. I hope it will be good for a whole interview. [laughs] Continue Reading »

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It’s reported today (March 18th) that less than 40 tickets remain to this year’s ProgPower USA metal fest in Atlanta. At the rate they’re selling, this year’s two-day music extravaganza is sure to sell out.

Given the amazing line-up, you shouldn’t delay another minute. Tickets are available from Tickmaster. Order yours today! (Or don’t come crying to me if you miss your chance.)

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Organizers of Heathen Crusade, the annual U.S. Folk-Metal, Pagan-Metal, Viking-Metal, Melodic Doom-Metal music festival, made this announcement (to the delight of many fans) Friday:

We are happy to announce that Nomans Land (Russia - Einheit Produktionen), Gernotshagen (Germany - Trollzorn Records), Thrudvangar (Germany - Einheit Produktionen) - [have been] confirmed for Heathen Crusade 3…which will be held November, 2008, in St.Paul, MN at Station-4. Exact dates to be announced soon. For information about the festival, please contact us at Heathen Crusade or our MySpace page.

For information, song clips, video clips, and more visit these links:

NOMANS LAND
MySpace
Official Web Site

THRUDVANGAR
MySpace
Official Web Site

GERNOTSHAGEN
MySpace
Official Web Site

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Swiss Folk-Metal band Eluveitie recently released Slania, their third album, on Nuclear Blast Europe. This YouTube video is the story behind the recording of Slania.

 

 Slania - EPK: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Eluveitie’s record label, Nuclear Blast Europe, recently posted this YouTube video of the single “Inis Mona” from their new album, Slania:

 

 Inis Mona: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Finnish Melodic Doom-Metal legends Amorphis headlines ProgPower USA IX on Friday, September 26th, in Atlanta, Georgia (USA). Amorphis, formed in 1991, has released some 10 studio albums over the past 17 years, the most recent being the awe-inspiring Silent Waters.

Also appearing earlier that day is Italian Folk-Metal favorites Elvenking. Elvenking was formed in 1997 and has four studio albums for your listening pleasure, the most recent being The Scythe.

US power metal giants Iced Earth headlines on Saturday, September 27th.

ProgPower USA is America’s premiere metal fest, attracting bands — and fans — from all over the world. Tickets to the two-day mega-event sell extremely quickly and often sell out. So don’t wait to get yours!

On sale via Ticketmaster starting March 1.

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Tickets to Pagan Fest USA 2008 featuring four of the world’s best Folk-Metal bands (Ensiferum, Turisas, TYR, and Eluveitie) are on sale now via Ticketmaster. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see these extraordinary bands!

Here is the schedule for Pagan Fest USA 2008:

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