Varg - Blutaar

TRACK LISTING

July 2, 2010

Reviewer: Kesh

Pagan metal has started to gain its own popularity in the past 5 or six years (possibly more), and it’s very hard to sometimes keep up with the different sub-genres of metal that are out there. Closely related to both the viking and folk metal genres, pagan metal is somewhat interesting in that it’s more lyrically driven than the other two above mentioned metal types. But then that is how the metal wheel turns, I guess. Everyone sectioned and divided into neat little packages according to the bands that they listen to, not realizing that a talented band - no matter what the genre might be - could have a more mass appeal to a wider audience if they didn’t carry this label or that.

As far as Varg goes, they fall in the line of “good” bands, the album being filled with emotion and raw energy only found by bands that perform in their native tongue. In the case of Varg, the entire album is in their native German, which comes off as sounding more genuine, the emotion and energy contained in the album is raw and thought provoking - especially if you understand the lyrics. “Zeichen der Zeit” is one of the more memorable songs on the album with “Invictus,” and “Blutaar” also joining the list for great songs you will want to listen to over and over again.

Overall, the Blutaar is a good album and if you want a good idea of their sound: think Belphegor’s recent release Walpurgis Rights and put former Marduk vocalist Legion on vox - especially on the tracks “Invictus,” and “Veil Fiend Veil Ehr" - and I think you'll get the picture. The guitar can sometimes be a little muddied in spots, the track “Alter Feind” being the one that stands out the most on, just chugging through and not really being entertaining or memorable like it is on most other tracks on the album. Fortunately, this isn’t such a down play that it ruins the album.

In the end, I think this is one of those albums in which it will end up being subjective for those who listen to it, as to whether or not they like this album or not care about. Personally, I do find that I enjoy the album; albeit not enough to say it will have a place on my top ten for the year. But it’s a good album to sit and listen to when you have some time on your hands and want to plan a Viking raid or two. Jump in the long boat and pop this disc into the CD changer. A new addition to your theme music is here.

1.  Wolfsmond
2.  Viel Feind Viel Ehr
3.  Invictus
4.  Sieg oder Niedergang
5.  Blutaar
6.  Seele
7.  Nebelleben
8.  Zeichen der Zeit
9.  Wilde Jagd
10.  Alter Feind
11.  Blutdienst II

Total playing time:  48:24

Release Date: January 29th, 2010
Label: Noise Art Records

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