Addaura - Burning for the ancient

Genre : Atmospheric black metal

In a way, Addaura's newest release is calming and ethereal. An agressive way. Something which could be observed as a letdown, naming non-stop blastbeating, makes the music actually somehow airy and light. Not sure if I make sense, but this constant, quick heartbeat, kind of carry its listener through a world depicting grandeur, desolation, and melancholy at a single time. This atmosphere is reinforced with the strong, deep vocals, which are undoubtedly a reference in the genre. At least, those are filled with emotion, maybe a little hint of despair, like some cry coming from far away, raw, wild and strong. It's hard to explain how blastbeats and vocals perfectly fit together to create a catchy and ethereal atmosphere, but it's an obvious win. And guitars, how can I forget those? They work as walls of sounds mainly, yet melodic ones, and there are some chords on that release which will easily get stuck on your head for a while. Burning for the ancient features four really long songs, maybe a little overlong at times, but this is for sure a clever part of an atmospheric black metal album, which turns out to be one of the most melancholic around, considering its well-done structure and production. And monotony is successfully broken with some unexpected parts, like female airy vocals or droning, doomy moments.

City light (in still dark forenoon silence) and its catchy melodic line is a must-listen here. Solace beneath a greying sky is an other highlight, check it out. And follow Addaura on Facebook.

Nechochwen - Algonkian mythos

Genre : Mostly instrumental neofolk

We haven't been talking about some neofolk for a while, have we? Nechochwen's first release was full neofolk, and well, it's just so rich and deep that it's hard to talk about it. This is an album which requires more than a couple listens to actually dive into it, because of how many instruments appear in the sound layers, and because of the lack of usual song structures. It requires much attention to really get into it, because it's complex in terms of songs composition and sonorities. Album is almost instrumental, and only some choirs and male vocals appear from time to time. Melodies are rather unusual too, sometimes cold and almost annoying, sometimes warm and melancholic. They feature some ritualistic percussions which may sound a bit too much in the foreground at times, yet they add a lot to the sound diversity. Maybe the fact that Nechochwen isn't linked to scandinavian folk makes for its uncommon sound, too, as many bands tend to refer to norse folk sonoroties, when it's all about American traditions here.

Algonkian mythos and Talgayeeta are good songs to start with this album. Check those out! And follow Nechochwen on Facebook.

Other reviews from Nechochwen:
   - Azimuths to the otherworld

Ygg - Ygg

Genre : Atmospheric black metal

Ygg is amazing. Not something we've never heard before, to be honest. But something we want to hear again and again as we enjoy black metal. Jew harps and distorted walls of sound are the first striking elements here, the first one appearing quite often, the second one successfully merging melodic soundscapes and ambient backgrounds. But vocals and drums are worth a special mention, too. Vocals, because they're strong and raw, mostly thanks to the Ukrainian language, but also because of singer's ability to make it wild and raw at a time. Drums are especially nice for avoiding the "non-stop blastbeat" which would quickly get boring. And yet, they're not played with obvious and omnipresent breakdowns, more kept an ambient way. But the first drumming line is still very energic and adds a lot to the catchy side of this record. All those things perfectly arranged and mixed make this a very solid ambient black metal release, with huge soundscapes, but also a fair amount of heaviness. Dark, wild, and moving.

Self-titled song Ygg is an obvious highlight. Ритуал is also an amazing song. And follow Ygg on Facebook.

Darkenhöld - A passage to the towers

Genre : Black metal

Technically, this is much more pagan-oriented metal than melancholic folk black. However, as good pagan metal became something quite rare, I felt like sharing that one, especially since it's really not popular, where it would deserve to. So, what's this record? It's some raw, agressive black metal, which however feature lots of good riffs, rhythm changes, and "headbangable" drumming. And sometimes that's all we want, right? Do not expect many soft parts, since the few ones are just the usual black metal "clichés" (not to mean anything bad), meaning a quick intro track and some interlude. However, besides the epic black metal vocals, some clean ones shine with quality. Synths make a good job too, giving quite an epic atmosphere, without being proeminent. All in all, expect some impressive pagan black metal, surely lacking melancholy and nature beauty, because that's not the point here, but giving out a nice lot of energy and agressivity. And sometimes, that's pretty cool!

Highlights : Ghouls and the tower, Darkenhöld.

Follow Darkenhöld on Facebook.
Buy merch on Bigcartel.

Other reviews from Darkenhöld:
   - Echoes from the stone keeper

Nebelkorona - Tannenhochforst

Genre : Neofolk / Ambient

Nebelkorona deliver quite a surprising sound, close to the dark ambient genre. Imagine some deep melodies, guitars, pianos and synths mixed into repetitive layers, and low vocals, almost spoken words at times. Vocals have quite a big reverb, turning the solo singing to some choir-sound at some point, and lyrics are in German. However, this recipe successfully creates a melancholic and deep atmosphere, and the melodies are beautiful, to say the least. On top of this, there is some drumming which takes part into the mix. Definitely not insane blast beats, just some ryhthm line in the arrangement. But that makes this release tend to some epic feeling, which adds a lot to the atmosphere. Something that deserves a listen if you enjoy melancholic and epic neofolk.

Check out Sonnenhall and Waldzauber to get into it. And follow Nebelkorona on Facebook.

Skogen - Vittra

Genre : Folk black metal

What makes Vittra a wonderful album is obviously Skogen's ability to merge folk sounds, pagan influences and black metal shapes into a solid and consistent release. I already said this before, but I don't think that northern mythology and viking tales are meant to be associated with happy sonorities. Therefore, I tend to promote mostly melancholic folk black metal, which is the case here. One could call it dark, too. Whatever. Skogen found a brillant recipe, associating perfectly-mixed black vocals along with distant male choirs which definitely throw in some melancholic touch, as well as catchy riffs and melodies. Some of them can tend to repetitions from time to time, but it's not a serious flaw since they're all mostly enjoyable. This album also successfully merges dark folk with pagan feelings, too, and most of the songs feature real epic parts. That's what is brillantly done with their melodies actually, the way they carry melancholy and epicness at the same time is incredible.

Please, check out a couple masterpieces, like Skuggorna kallar and Under fullmånens sken. And follow Skogen on Facebook.

Other reviews from Skogen:
   - Svitjod

Syven - Aikaintaite

Genre : Folk black metal / Neofolk

A side project from kantele-based neofolk band Nest, Syven is for sure reminiscent of that kind of sound... Yet, there are some new elements around, and besides the kantele and the shamanic drumming, a couple black metal elements have appeared, with deep, distant shrieks and heavy chords in the background. That doesn't imply all of the usual black metal elements however, as you cannot hear a single blastbeat or any really aggressive part in here. Call it softened black metal with deep, dark traditional neofolk, for a more precise description. Vocals feature a really wide range of atmospheres, switching from clean, inspired solo vocals, yet somehow reminiscent of nordic traditions, alongside with some deep male choirs and distant shrieks, those ones being a minor part to be really honest, as black metal is only kept as a little influence here. And that's not so bad, because melodies are totally stunning and worth shining, easily taking the listener to a state of contemplation and meditation when clean, and easily giving you shiver when switching to distorted riffs. An incredible, chilling and emotional release, without any doubt.

Songs are quite long, and listening to both Ne, jotka selviävät talvestamme and Tuulenvire should give you a nice overview through a mere half of the album. And follow Syven on Facebook.