•
Rating:
The Hollenthon are an Austrian band (in fact, the name comes from a village in their country) led by the talented Martin Schirenc who plays all instruments except for the drums, played by Mike Groeger. With Vilest of Worms to Dwell is their second album, following their debut Domus Mundi in 1999.
It is difficult to define the sound of the band: let's say they play symphonic death (with a beautiful brass section!) with strong Thrash and Power influences. The strength of Hollenthon is precisely this: their ability to blend many different genres, surprising the listener.
The CD opens with the beautiful "Y Draig Goch." It opens and continues with the distinctive mix of guitars and orchestrations that characterizes the entire platter. The brass is splendid and inspired! Martin's growl is excellent. "Woe to the Defeated" begins with a fusion of keyboards and guitars. It's a very dark and slow track, where choirs and oriental influences take center stage.
When the third track, "Lords Of Bedlam" starts, I jump from my seat: I've heard this piece before! In reality, it is a reworking of Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. Another note of merit goes to the trombones. Unexpected but perfect: brilliant! "To Kingdom Come," a very happy piece, opens with majestic choirs and continues with very catchy riffs. The growl, choirs, and female vocals alternate. "The Calm Before the Storm" is a slow and melodic track, influenced by folk, where Martin's clean vocals dominate. "Fire Upon The Blade" begins with a very symphonic part, like a soundtrack, and then the growl and guitars emerge. The interlude where the female voices take the forefront is splendid. "Conquest Demise" is a very dark and melodic piece sung with clean vocals. The interlude solo and the intricate finale are beautiful. The CD closes with "Cospirator" which shows a certain goth attitude. The track alternates between dark keyboards, choirs, and orchestrations throughout.
It's a pity that Hollenthon is a semi-unknown band because this CD deserves to be listened to by all metalheads.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Y Draig Goch (03:54)
From lands of the mountainous tundra
And the spirited elvinwood
Where the woodlands give in to the whims
Of the lively yet cynical wind
Taiga forests and boreal lights
In their splendor warriors reside
Bow in revenrence on sight
To the passing of wings and of might
Sleep with dragons
Theirs is the flame of flames
Immortalized
In starlit skies
Swooping shadows fo glorious red
Forging forth to the land of the sun
To the fields where the yearning is grown
And the seeds of the hopeful are sown
Jovial water and semblance of East
While the reapers bent down over fields
Bow in reverence of sight
To the advent of wings and of might
For minds that wonder
And eyes that roam
In fire find the hidden lair
Wings and might
Immortalized
In starlit skies
03 Lords of Bedlam (05:34)
Hordes of rings bear demons of despair
Hungry bellows brought by gales
Vigils of the night remember well
Fear-flung shadows of a lie
Herald of War
Exiled from light
Domination
Eagles of ruin
A flash of wings
Devastation
Inching over moors like frenzied fiends
Caravans of doom fall in
Ravage rampant of massive footstep
A gripping dust chokes the sky
Scars of wilted wrath
Kiss the dying ground
Present, future, past
Eradicated
As darkness dies this hour before encorcelled eyes
Visions of fate await the rogue of savage lands
The rabid ritual rests on saber, sword and ruin
Renounced companions of morning stars at dawn
Loading comments slowly
