April 2, 2010

Reviewer: Peter

With the folk metal scene gaining some level of acceptance, it is inevitable that there will be bands that will try their hand at it.  One of those places that people would least expect folk metal to emanate from is Holland.  That is where Heidevolk plies their trade, and they aren’t exactly a new band.  Having been exposed to a larger audience thanks to their 2008 release Walhalla Wacht, one can say that Heidevolk has higher expectations for their next album.

This year, the band has a new album in Uit Oude Grond, which means “Out of Old Soil.”  And much like the previous releases, Heidevolk maintains very strong roots to their ancestors who inhabited the Gelderland while making music that captivates even the most casual listener.

The album kicks off with “Nehalennia,” which is one of the more guitar-driven songs on the album.  From that track, it is evident that Heidevolk didn’t change much of its core from Walhalla Wacht, which is good because much of that album was great.  In fact, the band seems to have refined that sound a little to further emphasize their ancestral influences.  The opening riff to “Vlammenzee” sounds a little like something Månegarm would play, but once the vocals kick in, there is no mistaking the Heidevolk sound.  The vocals are generally on the low end of the scale, but are clearly heard and in a manner that takes the listener back in time, as evidenced on “Gelders Lied,” which is also one of the slower songs on the album, along with “Levenlots,” which begins with a somber guitar solo intro.  “Alvermans Wraak” is an instrumental that is a blend of the Germanic folk that Heidevolk plays and metal with some rhythmic claps and chants thrown in towards the end of the song.  “Deemsternis” is another instrumental that one would likely hear when it is time to go to bed when camped out in the open fields, in that it is slow and has a calming effect on the listener.  If one could point to where Uit Oude Grond is an improvement over Walhalla Wacht¸ it would be in the increased number of slower songs such as “Gelders Lied” and “Deemsternis.” Although showing the band’s willingness to increase its repertoire, it is their ability to pull off the songs with great proficiency that makes it all the better for the band.

Those who are familiar with Heidevolk will not be disappointed with Uit Oude Grond, and those who are just now getting into the band will find a lot to like about the album.  This is one folk metal band that one should keep an eye on, as their musicianship is consistent on all of their albums and they remain true to their ancestral influences without compromising things in favor of gaining new fans.  A definite top ten album of the year candidate for sure, Uit Oude Grond is a must-have for folk metal fans and even those who aren’t into the genre.

Release Date: March 26th, 2010
Label: Napalm Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Nehalennia
2.  Ostara
3.  Vlammenzee
4.  Een Geldersch Lied
5.  Dondergod
6.  Reuzenmacht
7.  Alvermans Wraak
8.  Karel van Egmond,
     Hertog van Gelre
9.  Levenslot
10.  Deemsternis
11.  Beest bij Nacht

Total playing time:  50:21

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Heidevolk - Uit Oude Grond