Hailing from the provence Gelderland in the Netherlands the band releases a new
album with the name 'Velua'. A big part of Gelderland is called 'de Veluwe' and
I think the locals call this 'Velua'. On earlier albums there were a lot more
folk influences, but the typical Dutch lyrics with a ceremonious singing style
is still very recognizable. With a new guitarist and a new vocalist in the line
up the music is still a kind of viking metal with interesting (thrash) riffs ,
al little bit of folk elements and some rasping vocal parts.
New singer Lars Vogel does a good job in both high and low singing regions.
Besides heavy riffs, fast drum parts there are also atmospheric instruments like
a violin in the track "Urth". The heroic epic kind of Viking metal songs with
Dutch lyrics are great and the excellent production is the final touch. For me
this is the best album of this Dutch heathens so far and I am sure that I will
not be the only one.
Don't let the Dutch language scare you off, because the music alone is already
worth listening. It can't get more metal than this.
