1. Finntroll – ‘‘Vredesvävd’
55 out of 60 points, well well, that’s a winner for sure. The whole team had the latest Finntroll album in their top 3! Their last album dated all the way back to 2013, but what a hell of a comeback they made.
Albums like Ur Jordens Djup and Nifelvind remain in my regular rotation, soon to be joined by Vredesvavd. Singles like Mask and Ormfolk could easily nestle in either, despite being conceived a decade apart. Ever familiar entrances, interchanges and melodic aura help to forget the passage of time with supporting gang hymns teleporting to forbidden Forrest soirées.
It should also go without saying that Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns continues to excel as frontman and vocal expert of the harsh persuasion that only gets better with time, like a yummy spicy whiskey. Not overshadowing the arrangement expertise of keyboardist-composer Henri “Trollhorn” Sorvali. Their latest creation thoroughly satisfies every expectation and scratches all folk metal itches, in complete blackened humpa abandonment.
Tag Archives: XIV Dark Centuries
Gems from the Thuringian Forest
XIV Dark Centuries Interview
After an extensive layoff from recording, 2020 marks the triumphant return of Germany’s XIV Dark Centuries with their new album “Waldvolk” coming on February 28th via Einheit. The long hibernation of sorts has done them well with what I feel is their most powerful, complete and fulfilling able to date. Many of the band members (Guitarists Uwe and Tobalt, vocalist Michel and drummer Manu) were available to answer some questions for us regarding the new album, new label, the time off, playing live and a few other things o f note… check it out…..
Waldvolk
Continue reading →XIV Dark Centuries – ‘Waldvolk’ (2020)
Rating: 9.5/10 Release: 28 February 2020 Label: Einheit Produktionen Let’s not get too excited, but can we already start talking about best albums of 2020? Even if you’re not ready I am with the pending release from Germany’s XIV Dark Centuries. We got this one way early…..“Waldvolk” (I am going … Continue reading →
Dark Troll Festival 2015
By: Nick Bornstedt, Germany 14-5 / 16-5 2015 The most common discussion when the festival season starts is always about which festivals to visit, especially since there’s so much choice nowadays! There’s just one festival that’s been on the calendar as soon as the previous edition ended, and that’s the … Continue reading →
Ragnarök Festival 2014
25/26 April 2014 Stadthalle Lichtenfels, Germany Ragnarök is a small festival that’s taking place in Lichtenfels. However, never let the size of things misguide you, because on this festival the best of pagan- folk- and black-metal come together. With bands like Arkona, Finntroll, Skálmöld en Manegarm, there were enough bands … Continue reading →
Black Trolls over Europe (2011)
Location: De Baroeg, Rotterdam 20 November 2011 Photography: Metalshots.com (1st day of tour in Mullheim, DE) With all the big Rock the Nation tours going around lately, one should almost forget there are also some smaller tours dwelling around. Black Trolls over Europe is one of them, a tour which … Continue reading →
Black Troll Winterfest (2011)
Location: RWE Halle, Mülheim an der Ruhr (DE) 12 November 2011 Photography: Feenstaub Entertainment 10:00 a.m. The doors should be open because 10:20 should sound the First notes through this hall, but it’s almost time and the doors are still not open? The queue is immense (fortunately we as reviewers … Continue reading →
XIV Dark Centuries – ‘Gizit dar Faida’ (2011)
Rating: 6/10 Release: 28 October 2011 Label: Einheit Produktionen It seems 14 dark centuries ago since we’ve heard or seen something of these Thuringian warriors. Fortunately they came back with an new album and a new site as well. These Germans are known from songs like ‘Julenzeit’, ‘Skiltfolk’ and the … Continue reading →
Straalschijfontketenfeest 2010 (Releaseparty Heidevolk)
Luxor, Arnhem, The Netherlands 2 April 2010 Photography: Metalshots.com The cd presentation of the new Heidevolk-album with Grimm and XIV Dark Centuries as support. Grimm Finally I can see one of our own Dutch bands at work, again. The show starts nicely with a suitable film in the background. The … Continue reading →
Ultima Ratio 2008
Location: Turbinehalle, Oberhausen (DE) 1 November 2008 A great (folk) metal festival in an old factory in Oberhausen, fast and easily accessible from the Netherlands, only an hour across the border at Arnhem. A fantastic filled stage these days, which makes a trip across the border very worthwhile. The whole … Continue reading →