VARG – Zeichen – Review english
VARG – Zeichen will be released on 2020-09-18
On to new coasts
The VARG Viking-Guild under the Wolf-Banner from Coburg are no newcomers to the music business. Since their foundation in 2005 they have built up a considerable fan base with their aggressive German metal and are also internationally successful. Together with other German band greats such as FINSTERFORST, DEBAUCHERY’S BALGEROTH and WOLFCHANT, they are taking part in the very popular „WOLFSFEST-Tour„, to which the „wolf packs“ flock in droves. We hope that the planned tour will take place, which will start on October 2nd in Erfurt and end on November 28th in Magdeburg after several gigs.
And you should take the opportunity, because VARG’s new anthems are worth listening to. The videos of the triumphant songs „Zeichen“ and „Auf die Götter“ already showed the direction VARG will take. However, contrary to expectations, the title song „Zeichen“ is not the opener of the album, but heralds the end of the album. But that makes sense, as you will see later.
VARG goes into attack
The warriors of VARG take no prisoners. The colour red has always been a favourite colour of the band and this time it also has a strong visual presence. But this does not come from the cheerful stomping of vinegrapes and probably not from a delicious freshly hunted game meal. No, because the album „Zeichen“ is about battles, heroic death, shameful betrayal and the worship of the Nordic gods.
The Vikings were not only known and feared for their martial arts and belligerence. With their striving for new countries they were very skilled in the art of shipbuilding. They were fond of travelling and made long journeys with their ships to reach foreign shores. During their exploratory and plundering voyages they were mostly mercilessly brutal. Thus they attacked
in the year 793 AD
the monastery „Lindisfarne“ on the north-east coast of England. This foray was, so to speak, the starting signal for the Viking campaigns in Western Europe. So it makes sense that VARG introduces the album with the song „793“.
The attacks of the Vikings were sudden and unexpected, were carried out quickly and brutally. After a short idyllic „calm-before-the-storm“ introduction, the song sounds as barbaric as a mighty battle axe driving through enemy shields and limbs. Melodically sharp riffs are driven by beating drums. The aggressive vocals of Freki do the rest to stage the attack impressively.
The shield wall
as popular and effective as part of the notorious combat strategy of the Vikings already interpreted AMON AMARTH last year in an impressive way. Now VARG are taking on the theme and are also implementing this impressively and hard in the German version. The breakdownpart with the deep, rough riffs at the end of the song is really huge and leads the song to a successful finale.
„Wildes Heer“ works with different rhythms and musical expressions and thus also stands for an example of the varied steel-hard metal festival that is offered here. Alarming ominous guitar riffs build up tension when the enemies are at the gates. The song then stomps powerfully on and Freki lets dark threatening death metal growls roll out of his throat under a mighty thunderstorm of drums as the hunt begins.
The sea goddess Rán
With „Fara Til Ranar“, a sentimental song with epic features rises from the depths of the sea in the middle of the battle. This is introduced by the spiritual intro „Rán“. Female siren vocals (Fylgja Varg) rise above furious drums and guitar leads. A yearning mood is created that fully captures you. Anyway, I was completely succumbed to the song and I let it sound in a continuous loop over and over again. For me a real highlight in the ocean of brutal hymns. The contrast between the aggressive vocals of Freki and the lovely female vocals in front of the hard instrumental background really gets under my skin. Fantastic!
Conclusion
VARG reach a new level of their success and consolidate their claim to a throne in the hall of fame of (German-speaking) metal. They sound more authentic and mature than ever. Aggressive vocals meet massive riffing and sword-sharp guitar leads, driven by rude double bass attacks. Singer Freki screams his vocals out with all his might, varying his vocals appropriately and appropriately, sometimes screeching in black metal style, in deep regions with guttural sound or sometimes in a quiet narrative manner. This provides a pleasant change and underlines the mood and effect of the respective song. The acoustic prelude „Rán“ with the following song „Fara Til Ranar“ sets a special epic melancholic highlight on this album full of hymns. The interaction with the female vocals creates a great atmosphere.
Attention should also be paid to the special edition (Mediabook). There each song of the album is interpreted by different guest singers in their own way. Amongst others, the singers of NACHTBLUT, ELUVEITIE and EQUILIBRIUM will be performing. Sounds more than interesting.
HERE you can find the german review!
NEWSLETTER. FREITAGS. KOSTENLOS.
Bildquellen
- viking-Flore W auf Pixabay: Lothar Dieterich auf Pixabay
- castle-jimsumo999 auf Pixabay: castle Lindisfarne - jimsumo999 auf Pixabay
- axe1-Valerii Iavtushenko auf Pixabay: axes - Valerii Iavtushenko auf Pixabay
- viking-Gioele Fazzeri auf Pixabay: Viking - Gioele Fazzeri auf Pixabay
- MH-Bewertung 9 v. 10: Feuer-Ronald Plett /Daumen hoch-Clker-Free-Vector-Images--Both at pixabay
- Cover + Infos VARG -Zeichen: Cover VARG "Zeichen" Napalm Records + Background Comfreak auf Pixabay
- VARG 1_main_Stefan Schuman-skaliert: VARG Bandfoto über Napalm Records Photo Credit: Stefan Schuman
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