BLACK MESSIAH

Of Myths and Legends

Locomotive

8 / 10

Track listing:

01. In Remembrance
02. Of Myths And Legends
03. Irminsul
04. Father Of War
05. Sauflied
06. Howl Of The Wolves
07. Erik, Der Rote
08. Loki's Tanz
09. Die Sühne Des Feuerbringers
10. Moskau
11. The Bestial Hunt Of The Fenrizwolf

Another of about a billion North American releases from this Spanish label, Locomotive Records has been hitting more than it has been missing as of late. A definite highlight of this prodigious group of albums is BLACK MESSIAH's "Of Myths and Legends" is a dynamic and lively Viking/pagan/black metal (you get the idea) release that should please any fan that likes diversity and non-traditional instrumentation from his/her metal.

BLACK MESSIAH has been in business since way back in 1992, led by multi-talented front man Zagan (vocals, guitar, violin),yet "Of Myths and Legends" marks my introduction to the band. Even if folk-laced black metal (broadly speaking) were not your cup of tea, I would bet that most listeners would have a hard time not at least appreciating these majestic compositions. While the black metal element is present, it is usually only heard in bits and pieces and is almost always blended with folk cadences, big choruses, and a great deal of keyboard and violin melodies. Even the title track, which starts with a traditional black metal guitar harmony and up-tempo rhythm, eventually shifts into pagan/folk territory. What you do hear are loads of captivating melodies and moving instrumentation, firmly grounded in guitar-based heaviness and hard-charging tempos (including colorful drumming). Zagan employs vocals that are often of the mid-range gruff and raspy variety, but once again, that only tells part of the story.

Aside from several quick paced and folky jams, it is on "Sauflied" and especially on bonus track "Moskau" that BLACK MESSIAH really shine. Both are upbeat rockers built on a traditional folk foundation and featuring huge, shouted choruses that will have you raising your beer mug with one hand and your Viking helmet with the other, as you sing along at the top of your lungs. The chorus of "Moskau" in particular is an absolute blast that never gets old.

Yes, "Of Myths and Legends" is musically accomplished, as demonstrated by BLACK MESSIAH's skill at blending metal with pagan/folk music. But perhaps more importantly, it is a heck of a lot of fun. It is difficult to go wrong with that combination of elements.

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