Древние воины

Pagan Reign's first effort is nothing short of awe-inspiring. My initial expectation from this one-man band was a decent album that would lack depth and musicianship but I was totally wrong.

The album is based on mellow Black Metal riffs with melodic leads played on twin guitars on certain tracks. There's a heavy use of the keyboards especially during the main riffs or the choruses. The song-writing is strong and solid and the tracks are memorable.

This album incorporates all the factors that make a folk metal album successful - it's harsh music but, at the same time, there's an underlying beauty that comes out and takes you with it. The fast drums at the back and the tremelo riffing give way to some of the best black metal melodies I've ever heard.

Perhaps my only disappointment is that there was no use of authentic folk instruments but I'd like to believe that it wouldn't serve the purpose in this Slavic folk metal album.

I'd recommend this to anyone that has interest in black or folk metal.