Metal Reviews

A clip from the upcoming new album due around 6/18.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... d=57329362

Sounds good, epic with lots of drunken viking choirs, me like.

Sounds good but I don't expect this to top Battle metal.

The album name certainly tops Battle Metal. Hail the Varangian Guard!

To Holmgard And Beyond is playing right now...fingers crossed.

So the last song is near its end and on first listen The Varangian Way isn't an easy listen. The first thing to notice is probably the perfect balance between guitars and keys. Secondly, Nygard has greatly improved his growls, he sounds really menacing especially on The Dnieper Rapids and Cursed be Iron. And finally there are some really cool guitar parts here and quite heavy but with enough orchestration. Here are my thoughts on some of the songs.

To Holmgard And Beyond - Probably the only song from which I get that Battle Metal vibe with its epic chorus. This song easily could have been on the debut. Still, it's one of the best songs on the album and a perfect opener.

Cursed be Iron - Weird song. Starts with heavy riffage then goes into a minute of some spoken parts then the heaviness returns for 30 seconds only to go to another spoken part. I don't know what to make out of this song.

In The Court Of Jarisleif - Now for those of you who followed the studio diary will recognize this song with the working title Balkaniralli. Insanely fast accordion playing, Balkan folk melody...but it's not Sahti-Waari. Not that good i mean though they certainly tried to do something similar. Apparently the guys are inspired by some Balkan folk tune since i hear stuff like that daily.

The Dnieper Rapids - One of the best on the album. Can't say much about it other than it has a very ominous, dark atmosphere. Very Danny Elfman-like or some other cool film-score.

Miklagard Overture - The longest track here. It's good but it's no Rexi Regi Rebelis or The Land Of Hope And Glory.

I need to listen this some more before giving a score.

I have been listening to this album non-stop for the past two days, and it doesnt get old!! I wondered if Turisas would manage to top Battle Metal and they did it! It is just so much more polished and progressive with some of the biggest choirs and melodies ever. Really inspiring music. This band must be one of the most original and fresh sounding outfits out there right now.

Battle Metal was good but really overrated. This one will either be an epic monster or a sprawling mess, methinks. The former, hopefully.

Just eight songs, but on the whole a more coherent effort than Battle Metal. Make no mistakes tho, that album still rules.

Yeah. I am really liking this as well. They have added some originality to the large realm of viking/pagan bands out there. This album ;as of that of battle metal both really stand out!

This is the feeling I'm getting. It flows better.

I just listened to this the other day. Very impressed, I think I like this as much as if not more so than Battle Metal but I think I'll have to listen to it more before I come the a concrete solution regarding that.

Cant stop listening to his this gem, there needs to be more noise made about this album. Fields of gold , a portage to the unknown are awesome and The Dnieper Rapids = masterpiece.
A album review is due .