Gimę nugalėt

Ramunas Personis is responsible for what is probably the greatest black metal record to come out of the Baltic region, namely the self-titled (and only) album by POCCOLUS. Hell, it is one of the better black metal albums you never heard of. I bluff you not. ZPOAN VTENZ is another equally brilliant project he worked on in the late 90's, and which coincidentally released only one album as well, but what piece of work it is! "Gime Nugalet" focuses on channeling Lithuanian folk tradition (inlay disclaimer announces that all tracks are based on old Lithuanian war songs) through a number of musical styles such as (surprise-surprise) pagan/viking/black metal but also ambient, neo-classical and even martial industrial. Just keep in mind that it is much less a metal (about a third of the record) album than a folk-ambient-industrial one. Regardless, the strength of the material, flawless execution and strategic placement and juxtaposition of each track and style create an excellent contrast in form while maintaining substance and flow without any visible strain.

Muscles are flexed early on with the opener "Jos Brolis in Kareli" and its robust viking-like chant and infectiously repetitious keyboard and guitar riff interplay. "Parvirtys Unt Azuolu" delivers a sharp change of pace with four and a half minutes of pure folk music (acoustic string picking and Vilma Ciplyte's sorrowful vocals create something akin to a darker parallel to Lithuanian folk groups like SEDULA) only to be broken yet again (in a seamless transition) with an equally sorrowful burst of plodding BURZUM-esque black metal on the track's second half - an outstanding piece. Similarities between these two songs and POCCOLUS can be found if sought. Compare the keyboard segments on "Jas Brolis..." to those on track "Pakol Dega Lauzal" off of POCCOLUS' album, or the black metal parts on Parvirtys..." to the first two minutes of POCCOLUS' third song "Begeyte Pecolle" and see for yourself.

"Milzinu Sugrizinas" is a ritualistic instrumental piece propelled by tribal percussion, psychedelic electronic effects and dark neo-classical keyboard leads. "Kukava Povas" follows suit with an excellent fusion of dark folk and neo-classical, embellished this time with female vocal incantations. The title track which came up next was somewhat of a surprise. The original source material for it must be famous all over the Baltics. It so happens that SKYFORGER covered this very tune on their folk album "Zobena Dziesma" (it was a closing track and went under the title "O Kai Saulute Tekejo"). SKYFORGER, of course, did a purely acoustic version, while ZPOAN VTENZ used nothing but reverberated electric guitars as a back ground to the song's choir chanting. "Negriza Bernelis" is a hypnotic confluence of dark ambient background with lush orchestral keyboards, programmed martial rhythm and morose gothic vocalizations - another standout. Imagine DARGAARD and DER BLUTHARSCH covering a Lithuanian folk tune and you will get the picture. "Voi Kalnai Kalneliai" is an instrumental metalized version of a folk song. A bit contrived perhaps, but it fits in all too well, so no complaints here. Besides, it stands as a great transitional counterpoint to the following folk-ambient number "Voi Uzkit Gauskit". Acoustic strings and floating, ethereal ambience turn this into a brilliant, if not transcendental piece. Vilma, of course, should be once again complimented for her great vocal abilities. I will just bet that she is a professionally trained folk singer, and that says it all. Closer "Is Ten..." serves up an atmospheric, multilayered tribal industrial and dark ambient workout to close off the gates.

I have nothing but clichéd praises for this album really, and IMHO they all ring true. "Gime Nugalet" is consistently brilliant, effective, cohesive, diverse etc. etc. etc. Not for every metalhead's tastes, but those who will find it to their liking (and there are bound to be enough people if only they were pointed to the right direction) will be returning to it again and again. That is a sign of a good investment.