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Святогор > ...with Wolfish Stalk and by Wings of Black > Reviews
Святогор - ...with Wolfish Stalk and by Wings of Black

Interesting but somewhat unsatisfying - 61%

Noktorn, September 11th, 2011

It seems that Svyatogor are trying to be the opposite of what we typically think regarding Ukrainian black metal. Unwilling to dive into the symphonic stylings of Nokturnal Mortum, the droning, naturalistic sound of Drudkh, or the ear-splitting rawness of any number of underground NS acts, Svyatogor instead walks a strange tightrope of lightly folk-brushed black/death metal that's as interesting as it is frustrating to listen to. Taking from Dub Buk's "Rus Ponad Vse!" and some of the local pagan acts in fits and starts, and then bound together with a hint of modern groove ala Russian artists such as Kiborg, Svyatogor's sound is simultaneously traditional in its Ukrainian bent and hyper-modern, not willing to compromise an ounce of modern production values or songwriting techniques despite its relative adherence to traditional extreme metal tropes. While the band's sound is unique, I find myself frustrated trying to enjoy this album fully- I like what Svyatogor's trying to do here, but I think that it would take some years of songwriting under their belts before their potential was truly realized.

The opening track sets the stage rather abruptly, with a collection of surprisingly moshable, chunky riffs starting the track off before a more conventional mid to fast-paced black/death sound kicks in, but even then it's tempered with odd elements: surprisingly cocky, virtuosic solos, glimmers of electronic synthwork, and odd, thrashy transitions ala Dub Buk. It undoubtedly makes for a unique musical presence: Svyatogor neatly marries a sound of traditionalist, pagan fury with a sleek, modern presentation that brings to mind Ukrainian barbarians dropping their spears in favor of AK-47s. That being said, much of the black/death material itself tends to be held back by a lack of compelling riffwork and a somewhat static vocal presence. While occasionally the riffs will be driving and propulsive enough, Svyatogor's guitars tend to work best in a more tremolo-based black metal mold versus a more decidedly rhythmic death metal one, where an infatuation with high tempos prevents the more rhythmic breakdowns from really having the punch they need to compel the listener properly. The vocals are a problem of degree: too far from the production to have substantial punch and too close to bleed appropriately into the texture of the riffs, they're in a no-man's-land of production that leaves them perpetually uncomfortable.

I think to really come into their own, Svyatogor would have to decide exactly what they want to do with their death metal elements, which are like the vocals too subtle to be a major part of the music but too obvious to remain and inoffensive quirk. They should either be dropped in favor of the pure black metal the band excels at or worked on more into the texture of the music; as it stands, the more overtly death metal moments are the weakest on the disc and are usually impatiently waited through in order to get to another neat tremolo riff or bit of modern, groovy weirdness. "...With Wolfish Stalk and by Wings of Black" is by no means a bad album, and I'm interested in hearing the band's 2009 follow-up, but this one tends to be a little bit too confused in its songwriting to really have lasting appeal. A good occasional listen for fans of the Ukrainian style, but certainly not mandatory for those who aren't interested in peeling back the layers of modern black metal songwriting.

Solid Death/Black Metal - 75%

MetalStrikesDown, April 20th, 2009

For the Sake of Ukraine!!! That really has nothing to do with the review other than I felt like yelling it. But for the sake of Ukraine this band really does need to make another album. I do not believe Svyatogor is a band to turn any heads, not a band to convert a non-metalhead. Maybe Svyatogor is more of a band to preach to the converted. There is nothing spectacular on this release, it is just that they play their music well and completely fulfill the style.

Svyatogor is a band who uses Black and Death Metal riffing along with some symphonics to complement their sound. Along with their sound there is a melodic edge to them, they aren't a band that is making music purely to rip your face off. They are a band to make you headbang and that is what they accomplish. Everything is to the point, no real experimentation. Like I said before, Svyatogor is preaching to the converted and many will probably enjoy this if they take a listen to it. But in order to make someone a fan of Death/Black Metal they would have better luck listening to Behemoth or Torture Squad.

Overall Svyatogor is a band that implements the stereotypes of the genre to make good music. Normally it can get annoying not hearing anything really new in a genre full of generic bands; but Svyatogor at least bring a sound that is different than most, there is just that extra touch that puts them over the edge into a good band. This album should warrant a listen and make you bang your head all the way through.

Originally written for http://metalcrypt.com