Beer Bear - Honey

Ever wonder what would happen if Korpiklaani’s style of folk metal spawned some offspring?  Well, the answer to that question could come quickly in the form of the Russian quintet known as Beer Bear.  Just looking at the band name, one could not think about taking this band seriously, and the style of music they play is just ripe for dancing a jig or two, as their debut album Honey shows.

Before getting into the review, all references to the album and the songs in this review are in English, as the actual packaging is in Cyrillic, and it would be time consuming to put in all the correct Cyrillic lettering for each song.  That out of the way, Beer Bear is made up of a guitarist, drummer, viola player, fiddler, and bass player who also handles vocals with monikers such as Anathema Lynx, Panda, and Beard.  As for the music on Honey, the comparisons to Korpiklaani are likely to flare up, since Beer Bear plays an up-tempo style of folk metal.  However, Beer Bear is more than just a Korpiklaani clone, as they play what could easily pass off as child friendly folk metal (and really, isn’t that what you would expect from a band that calls themselves Beer Bear?).  There are parts that allow for the listener to get up and dance a jig such as “Beer Bear” and “The Wind and the Forest,” while other songs allow for the child in your life to get into the band like “Bears’ March.”  There are even nature sound effects, giving the album a forest atmosphere, as evidenced by “Clumsy Morning” and “Twilight.”  The end of the album features a Finntroll cover in “Trollhammaren,” giving even the most casual folk metal fan something to look forward to when listening to the album.  One pleasant surprise on the album is “Northern Wind’s Call,” which shows the band’s ability to be serious when it needs to be, which will go a long way in the band’s development.

Obviously, Beer Bear isn’t for everyone, but if you’re looking for something to lighten the mood, then Honey is an album worth checking out.  Their band name may not scream professionalism, but their music more than makes up for the name.  Folk metal has a new potential star, and its name is Beer Bear.

Release Date: November 14, 2010
Label: Sound Age Productions

TRACK LISTING

1.   Clumsy Morning
2.   Beer Bear
3.   Honey
4.   Fisticuffs
5.   Bears’ March
6.   The Wind of the Forest
7.   Twilight
8.   Northern Wind’s Call
9.   The Smith and the Sword
10.   Mother Bear
11.   Soporific Herb
12.   Wine of the Dawn
13.  Trollhammaren

Total playing time:  50:58

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*Comments:

Reviewer: Peter

January 22, 2011