​Rating: 9/10
Release: 24 February 2023
Label: Napalm Recotds

Finally after 5 long years, we have a new Heidevolk release!  Hail the Gods!  Starting off the album is “Hagalaz”, which features both singers, Daniël den Dorstighe and Jacco Bühnebeest.  They each complement each other and pull together some great harmonies front lining the heavy guitar riffs in the background.  This song has some melodic and aggressive moments to it which makes it very dynamic and listenable.  I like the use of the choral chanting as well, gives it an overall furious folk metal feel to the track.  The second track is one I have been familiar with.  “Drink met de Goden (Walhalla)” is a song I have seen the video for and was my first taste of the new album. This song sees the dual vocals once more; again the chorus and overall vocals make the songs majestic and strong.  The production is cleaner and more mature than previous albums.  Only a few songs in and I realize that I like the new Heidevolk sound and the formula they comprised with this release.  Song three, “Klauwen Vooruit” injects some more folk melodies, driving guitar mixed with catchy chorus and a cool guitar solo followed by some blast beats then right back into the underlying melody. Song number four, “Schildenmuurr” gives us a drum and acapella vocals, slowing down the pace briefly only to explode into song five “De Strijd Duurt Voort” which instantly blows me away.  The title track, “Wederkeer” (translated to The Return) is epic folk metal at its best.  It starts out slow with string accompaniment, dual vocals, and an overall dreamy feel to it; I wish the song was longer. The other songs on this 12 song release follow the same energetic approach with various complexities but also one is able to sing along to them as the chorus to each song is catchy as hell!   Many of the tracks paint pictures of sitting around the campfire with nature as the backdrop to beautiful melodies soothing, heroic and overall magnificent.  Heidevolk have conjured up some magic with this release, showing that sometimes taking time produces stellar efforts.  

Favorite tracks, all of them, stand out tracks “Hagalaz”,” De Strijd Duurt Voort”,” Oeros”, “Wederkeer” , “Raidho” and Zomervuur

Tracklist

1. Hagalaz
2. Drink met de Goden (Walhalla)
3. Klauwen Vooruit
4. Schildenmuur
5. De Strijd Duurt Voort
6. Oeros
7. Wederkeer
8. IJzige Nacht
9. Raidho
10. Ver Verlangen
11. Holda
12. Zomervuur
13. Drinking with the Gods (Valhalla) *Included on physical versions only
14. The Hunter’s Claw *Included on physical versions only