Sekengard – ‘Creation’s Veil’ (2024)
Rating: 9/10
Release: 18 May 2024
Label: Independent
Sekengard is a Baltimore-based six-member folk metal crew. I’m proud to say that I’ve seen these folks live, and the lead singer and violinist is a bit of a Baltimore legend. Their first album, a self-titled, five-track affair debuted back in 2015 was all that existed of Sekengard in recordings for a long time, and Creation’s Veil is, I’d argue, their first proper, mature release. And it’s a banger.
This time, there are eight thrashy, folk metal tracks ranging from drinking songs and sea shanties to the grandness of nature and an epic on cosmology. This album is huge in every possible way, instrumentation included: There are some raging guitars, a delightfully plucky mandolin, and the band’s Privateer-esque signature fiddle. “One More Round” lets the bass shine for a few bars, but “Time Flies When You’re Having Rum” is the stronger (heh) drinking song.
Getting ahead of myself into the tracks, “Starfall” is the album opener and the refrain is the crown jewel in this album. It lives rent-free in my head, as the kids say. “Tollkirsche” (Deadly Nightshade) is big and notable for the mandolin track. “Tempest” is an evocative instrumental that shows off some serious melody writing chops. It’s one of my favorites. It’s worth mentioning that we’re introduced to the secondary vocalist pretty late in the album. It’s a bold choice, and I’m absolutely here for it. The closer, “Celestial Resonance” is a fantastic juxtaposition of folky melodies and screamy metal vocals.
Lifting up the veil on this album reveals a great wealth of consistency of sound through a diversity of concepts. It’s a frenetic whirlwind of pluck, dance, and scream, and another case for 2024 being an amazing year for folk metal. This one comes strongly recommended, so please check ’em out!
Tracklist
- Starfall
- Tollkirsche
- Gates of the Forest
- One More Round
- Tempest
- Time Flies When You’re Having Rum
- Weighing of the Heart
- Celestial Resonance