Hærken - Of Warriors & Kings
In times since long ago forgat
A band of bawdy bards did sing
And growl at all who pass'd to hear
Of Warriors and Kings
Two Lutes men in their number
A Baron and a Scot
A motley Fool and Priestly Scribe
Complete the tawdry lot!!
And established in the latter part of the year on the 23rd August 1305!!
Exordium
This track transports us back to clandestine times as in court jesters and times when warriors won hands of maidens. (Not the iron variety either!) Its monk like chants send haunting chills into the air reminding us of what time left behind. Furthering on it demonstrates a heavier guise that is substantiated with a dark and powerful drum beat.
King Herla
A ferocious kind of medieval track experienced through its lyrics rather than musically. Boasting a dramatic wash of provocation and prowling riffs in true death metal style complete with a series of death metal snarls and screams.
The Eve Of Bealltainn
This stalks with its slow opening and then devours as it chugs into action. The striking blend of high octane riffery and tempered drumming give out a certain flavour that compliments the vocals and the background wisps of windy presence adds in a haunting quality to the sound. It is most definitely an exciting brawl that erupts but in a more controlled state.
One To Defend One To Defeat
One can actually see Hærken being a stand in for a court jester on this track as the King and Queen sit around a long wooden table eating only the finest! The bands hair whirling in time to quickening and torrid beats and the faces of the surprised crowd open mouthed at what stands before them....
The Wild Hunt
With far reaching thunder claps slicing through the blackening skies the anticipation grows. This truly is quite chilling as the sound of horses gallop, dogs bark and a lonely trumpet can be heard. The music starts shortly after and strives into their dynamic passions with a prime evil lust that towards the end fades out to allow the thunder in once more! – Superb track!
Aetus Oblitus
Offering a flute ensemble with very majestic and grand drum beats. It shows Hærken’s diverse side off as not just a death metal band, but a band that really believes in its roots and is a really beautiful and absorbing track packed full of melodic temperance.
A Call To Arms
This broods a substantial thickening texture of light and dark as the shrill fiery tempos devour with malice. The vocal gristle is aggressive and the harmonies execute a punch with relish! This could be the bands new anthem as it holds a certain magnetic pull about it and no doubt live it will throttle to an even larger intensity.
“From mellow to melodic and then turning into formidable structures, engaging and engrossing with full control, it has wonderful moments to behold!”
The Kings’ Crusade
A striking track that bruises as it skirts past the aural in its brisk manner. Again portraying anthemic chants and gnarly vocal edge. The stirring qualities of the track are mesmerising and brutal in delivery, and feeding the senses well. It illuminates like a neon sign although for medieval purposes swap for a thousand candles!
Torquilstone
Attention grabbing indeed! The band have managed to squeeze a lot into this track with a vengeance! It begins with sultry strings and then in comes a scathing vocal surrounded by the sultriness is a mighty wash of tortuous rhythms that pound the senses like a battering ram! It is a stormy composition that enjoys portraying its gloriously frenzied content.
The Bannauc Burn
Welcoming the bagpipes into their madness along with a superb marching rhythm, guiding the listener and taking them firmly by the ear, as its tempos quicken will literally slaughter everything in its wake!
Summary:
Although the album isn’t ground breaking, it does however, possess that certain magical quality by choosing its roots carefully and majestically whilst still being a full on brawl. The lyrics portray the medieval side and explore a more blackened twist but together they blend to perfection. The flute and bagpipes show the band in a very different light as this is a rare quality and much welcomed in outlining diversity in a unique way. The lyrics allow the listeners to cast their minds back to the history books and relive certain moments and are also a great quality that the band give out freely. From mellow to melodic and then turning into formidable structures, engaging and engrossing with full control, it has wonderful moments to behold. The band throw themselves into their past by wearing some impressive costumes, which paint a colourful scene and eases one back to the past but with a 21st Century stamp on it that clearly communicates on most levels. HÆRKEN refreshes the parts some other bands may not reach!
A band of bawdy bards did sing
And growl at all who pass'd to hear
Of Warriors and Kings
Two Lutes men in their number
A Baron and a Scot
A motley Fool and Priestly Scribe
Complete the tawdry lot!!
And established in the latter part of the year on the 23rd August 1305!!
Exordium
This track transports us back to clandestine times as in court jesters and times when warriors won hands of maidens. (Not the iron variety either!) Its monk like chants send haunting chills into the air reminding us of what time left behind. Furthering on it demonstrates a heavier guise that is substantiated with a dark and powerful drum beat.
King Herla
A ferocious kind of medieval track experienced through its lyrics rather than musically. Boasting a dramatic wash of provocation and prowling riffs in true death metal style complete with a series of death metal snarls and screams.
The Eve Of Bealltainn
This stalks with its slow opening and then devours as it chugs into action. The striking blend of high octane riffery and tempered drumming give out a certain flavour that compliments the vocals and the background wisps of windy presence adds in a haunting quality to the sound. It is most definitely an exciting brawl that erupts but in a more controlled state.
One To Defend One To Defeat
One can actually see Hærken being a stand in for a court jester on this track as the King and Queen sit around a long wooden table eating only the finest! The bands hair whirling in time to quickening and torrid beats and the faces of the surprised crowd open mouthed at what stands before them....
The Wild Hunt
With far reaching thunder claps slicing through the blackening skies the anticipation grows. This truly is quite chilling as the sound of horses gallop, dogs bark and a lonely trumpet can be heard. The music starts shortly after and strives into their dynamic passions with a prime evil lust that towards the end fades out to allow the thunder in once more! – Superb track!
Aetus Oblitus
Offering a flute ensemble with very majestic and grand drum beats. It shows Hærken’s diverse side off as not just a death metal band, but a band that really believes in its roots and is a really beautiful and absorbing track packed full of melodic temperance.
A Call To Arms
This broods a substantial thickening texture of light and dark as the shrill fiery tempos devour with malice. The vocal gristle is aggressive and the harmonies execute a punch with relish! This could be the bands new anthem as it holds a certain magnetic pull about it and no doubt live it will throttle to an even larger intensity.
“From mellow to melodic and then turning into formidable structures, engaging and engrossing with full control, it has wonderful moments to behold!”
The Kings’ Crusade
A striking track that bruises as it skirts past the aural in its brisk manner. Again portraying anthemic chants and gnarly vocal edge. The stirring qualities of the track are mesmerising and brutal in delivery, and feeding the senses well. It illuminates like a neon sign although for medieval purposes swap for a thousand candles!
Torquilstone
Attention grabbing indeed! The band have managed to squeeze a lot into this track with a vengeance! It begins with sultry strings and then in comes a scathing vocal surrounded by the sultriness is a mighty wash of tortuous rhythms that pound the senses like a battering ram! It is a stormy composition that enjoys portraying its gloriously frenzied content.
The Bannauc Burn
Welcoming the bagpipes into their madness along with a superb marching rhythm, guiding the listener and taking them firmly by the ear, as its tempos quicken will literally slaughter everything in its wake!
Summary:
Although the album isn’t ground breaking, it does however, possess that certain magical quality by choosing its roots carefully and majestically whilst still being a full on brawl. The lyrics portray the medieval side and explore a more blackened twist but together they blend to perfection. The flute and bagpipes show the band in a very different light as this is a rare quality and much welcomed in outlining diversity in a unique way. The lyrics allow the listeners to cast their minds back to the history books and relive certain moments and are also a great quality that the band give out freely. From mellow to melodic and then turning into formidable structures, engaging and engrossing with full control, it has wonderful moments to behold. The band throw themselves into their past by wearing some impressive costumes, which paint a colourful scene and eases one back to the past but with a 21st Century stamp on it that clearly communicates on most levels. HÆRKEN refreshes the parts some other bands may not reach!
- Exordium
- King Herla
- The Eve Of Bealtainn
- One To Defend One To Defeat
- The Wild Hunt
- Aetus Oblitus
- A Call To Arms
- The Kings’ Crusade
- Torquilstone
- The Bannauc Burn
Self released
Band: www.facebook.com/haerken
Reviewer: Pagan Hel
Oct 4, 2014
Oct 4, 2014
Next review:
Frozen Mist - Paganwinds
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