Band:	Speirling
Album:	The Piper
Style:	Black metal
Release date:	May 2008

01. Tempest Of Truth
02. Filthy And Cold
03. Wrath Of The Wild
04. Three Shrill Notes
05. The World Breaks
06. Into The Blazing Abyss
07. Born Again Damned

Speirling is the musical conspiracy of Blaidd (guitars, vocals and bass, also the owner of Unholy Design Records) and Nechtan (drums). Their début album "The Piper" is a concept album about "the Pied Piper of Hamelin", the legend about the ratcatcher and how he abducted the town's children after having been betrayed by the arrogant villagers. I don't think any Black Metal band has ever touched that subject, but it is all about the music anyway, so let's get to that.

At first sight it sounds rather bland and unoriginal, but after a few listen they turn out not bad at all. This album is basically the anthology of second wave Black Metal: a punkish attitude here, melodic lead guitars and a choir, Burzumic ambience in one song and a touch of Satyricon's latest riff-pillaging in another. But of course also the rapid drums and harsh vocals pass by in this feast of recognition.

The production is typical for Black Metal bands. A bit primitive, a bit raw, but never annoying or painful. It could have been a little bit more powerful, but then again, right now they do have a slight garage sound to them. In short this slightly progressive Black metal album will not be album of the year, but for the seeker of good Black Metal this will be a worthwhile purchase.

The question is how these guys will evolve. As one of them is the owner of a record label, they will not have to worry about that, so a next release should follow. I’m curious to see if they will keep the same varied approach as they did on this one, or if eventually one major influence will rise above.