Band:	Various Artists
Album:	Metal Message Vol. IV
Style:	Black metal, Folk metal
Release date:	2007

01. Gjenferdsel - Svik
02. Forefather - Engla Tocyme
03. Tharaphita - Iidsetel Sünkjatel Radadel
04. Galar - Hugin Og Munin
05. Oakenshield - Ginnungagap
06. Irminsul - Vinterskald
07. Slechtvalk - On The Eve Of Battle
08. Folkearth - The Riding Of The Queen Boudiccea
09. Theudho - The Journey To Lyngvi
10. Alkonost - Darkness
11. Slartibartfass - St. Cuthbert
12. Skyforger - A Crested Bird Sings
13. Sirocco - Forsaken Shorespositio

This is, as the title gives away, already the fourth volume of the Metal Message compilation series. This series is based on the Viking, Pagan and Black/Folk genres, and offers you various international bands from these genres. The album coverart is done by Fournier (shows "Druid's summoning of Celtic god Cernunnos within the cauldron"), and the cd-label who released it is called Verwimp. This time, there are thirteen different "hordes" gathered to get your blood pumping and to raise your sword with. Now, let's have a closer look, shall we?

First of are Gjenferdsel, a Norwegian ensemble with their roots firmly in Black Metal. A bit of folk influence seeps through as well, and makes itself visible mostly in the guitar riffs. This may be a bit one-dimensional, but enjoyable nonetheless. Then comes Forefather, quite possible the best known of the bunch, and they are enjoyable as always. With their self-dubbed "Anglo-Saxon Metal", they pay homage to their forefathers with their heathen hymns. Up next are Tharaphita and Galar, both drawing influences from Moonsorrow, and Oakenshield, a rather shameless rip-off from Temnozor, especially when the flute comes out. All three bands are doing what has been done a thousand times before, but do it good enough to please the fans. Fans of flutes, acoustic passages and slightly harsh vocals should also check out Irminsul and Folkearth.

The presence of Dutch Christian Black Metal band Slechtvalk seems rather odd at first, but their melodic and catchy Black Metal with symphonic touches is not bad at all, so why not? The same musical qualities can be described to the Belgian Theudo. The tenth band in line, the Russian Alkonost leans heavily on their female vocalist. You either like your metal this way, or you do not. The folkish Slartibartfass revolve around the unique sound of the bagpipes, and as such, they sound more Scottish than Scandinavian to me.

Quite probably the most known band of them all is the Latvian Skyforger. They provided a rather mellow track in comparison to the others, floating on the clean male vocalist. A good track, but fans of Viking metal should already be familiar with them. Closing off is the Irish Sirocco. Their vocalist reminds me of James Hetfield in his later years. The music itself is also based on Heavy Metal rather than Black Metal, which is usual in the genre.

All in all, this compilation does what it should do, to bring the smaller bands to the surface. I didn't want to focus on my own opinion on the music, as it is up to you to decide what you think of it. I hope I've given enough explanation about each band and that you are able to pick those that match your taste.

For more information: www.metalmessage.de