AA.VV.
Pagan Fire

In February anno domini 2008, Bjorn Thorsten Jaschinki, a glorious Viking unknown to most (including myself), curated "Pagan Fire" for Nuclear Blast, a crestomathy of the most renowned Nordic metal. 16 tracks plus an additional 10 on DVD, for true aficionados not yet exhausted by over an hour of battle hymns, beastly screams, and bone-breaking rhythms. Since it is viking metal, the opening of the album could only be entrusted to the late Quorthon (described as "god of thunder, wind, and rain" in the obviously very sober booklet), the man behind the one-man project Bathory and the guiding spirit of the entire mythological Norse metal scene. Thus, it begins with the sweet and melancholic "Song to hall up high": acoustic guitar, stentorian voice, choirs, and seagulls in the background: all the ingredients to move a true warrior are here.

Having duly paid tribute to the deceased Quorthon, who has been raising horns with Odin for the past four years following an unfortunate heart attack, it moves on to the young blood; now it's the turn of Enslaved with "Isa". Lacking a handy Italian-Ugric/Finnish dictionary, I cannot translate the title for the DeBaseriota audience. However, if we assume Isa is the nickname of a beautiful Viking woman (Isabella?), we can also infer the feelings the singer has for her from the vehemence of the romantic screams that characterize the entire piece, intense and malicious just enough. They characterize it in a way, given the difficulty of finding clean vocal lines in the genre in question. The third song of the selection is the epic "The longships are coming" by Unleashed; the lyrics are really very varied: the singer growls for five minutes about these blessed drakkars on their way. They are thought to have found traffic, in fact, the piece drags on to the point of agonizing boredom, also thanks to the gratuitous virtuosity of the guitarist in fashion at the time. To awaken the spirits comes the intercession of Thor with the solid Amon Amarth and "Victorious March"; nothing to object to about the piece: compact death with melodic openings, vintage-like growl, and syncopated riffs aplenty. Moving on, we encounter the schizoid creation of the leader of Wintersun, namely "Winter madness"; just to clarify, the leader and guitarist of the band is a blonde, mentally disturbed individual who declares himself to be an emulus of Malmsteen. Holy crap, we feel like responding affectionately. A prolonged and self-indulgent solo unnecessarily engraves an ambiguous piece, oscillating between power melodies and double bass rhythms, but with times and blast beats bordering on brutal. Moved by pity, the aforementioned Bjorn now grants us a nice piece by the legendary Finntroll: "Nedgang". Drums, inevitable choirs, grand orchestrations, and Viking spirit at its peak.

Finally, emerging from the roughest depths of death, are the much-loved folk parts: "Blut im auge" by Equilibrium stands out for agility and power at the same time. Melodic riff in loop and urgent rhythm, an excellent formula well applied by these Germans, undoubtedly worthy adoptive Vikings.

The subsequent Moonsorrow, creators of the beautiful "Kylan Passa", are the clearest demonstration of how Pagan metal is not a genre closed to the most disparate influences: the song is based on a cadenced Jew's harp riff, a pleasant instrument brought to the Baltic area by Erik the Red as a souvenir after a raid a bit too far south. I now realize that the review is not proceeding as relentlessly as a Viking epic would require, so we bypass the honest and dark Primordial and immerse ourselves in the true-celtic-padan-folk metal of the Swiss Eluveitie; "Inis Mona" is a captivating mid-tempo, supported by an engaging bagpipe or similar riff, massive guitar riffs, and imposing rhythmic breaks. Honestly, a great piece, among the best from the combo.

An alcoholic turn for the album with the cheerful Koorpiklaani; their "tapporauta" is a very enjoyable and metallic humppa, the typical Finnish polka. The twelfth track is "deathbringer from the sky" by Ensiferum; aside from any consideration regarding the technical prowess, which is notable, of these epic "sword bearers," they have all my respect due to the stunning female speciman beautifying the group's photo in the booklet. Sorry for the digression, but those icy blue eyes haunt my dreams. The understandable excitement arising from the wonderful vision is swiftly suffocated by the icy "Laeknishendr" by Falkenbach, more Germans. In reality, only one German, as it is another one-man project like Bathory. It is impossible for me even to hypothesize the theme of the piece, malign, atmospheric, and crepuscular enough. Fast forward again past Thirfing, and here we are at the gem of the album: the quirky Turisas. These friendly brain-damaged individuals present themselves adorned with furs, horns, blood, and other accoutrements in an attempt to seem like real warriors made in Finland, but unfortunately for them, they manage at most to produce a sincere imitation of a gang of drunken hooligans on an away trip. Nonetheless, their "Battle metal" will unleash your deepest instincts thanks to an unrivaled epic charge. The powerful mid-tempo dominated by martial horns will urge you to go axe in hand, hunting for wannabes. Inevitably, the impalement at the inevitable tree of Frigga of the prey. The orgy of pagan metal is now gloriously approaching its conclusion. Closing is entrusted to the English Bal-Sagoth; the singing used in the verses is interesting: no more the usual screams or growls, but an evocative recital. Odin will forgive me if I spare you a description of the included DVD, which is nevertheless highly recommended for all true enthusiasts. Unmissable, however, is the primitive video clip of "Trallhammaren" by Finntroll.

Finally, it seems necessary to make a mention of the art work: on the cover, we see a burly true Viking in the act of cremating the remains of a treacherous poser, freshly slaughtered. Behind the two, we find several other posers, terrified by the idea that the bearded avenger might discover their Danny Filth keepsake hidden in the hilt. STAY PAGAN.