Hierophant Nox

ALBUM REVIEW

Arkona - Goi, Rode, Goi
Napalm Records
While there are a whole myriad of pagan/folk metal bands peddling their hand-woven wares nowadays, for my money the genre doesn’t get much more authentic, passionate, majestic or metal than Russia’s Arkona. Now on their fifth full-length, Masha’s warriors still don’t compromise one little bit: “Goi, Rode, Goi” witnesses contributions from more than forty musicians, including a full chorus and a bank of string musicians. The arrangements are massive, the sound overpoweringly evocative.

Arkona were never in danger of sounding like metal with a side order of folk, having eschewed synthesizers years ago in favour of the genuine article, and being possessed of an amazing facility for bringing traditional Russian folk melodies back to life. However, unlike some of their folkier contemporaries, they never sound like folk with an underpinning of power chords either. The guitars on “Goi, Rode, Goi” are top class; raging, adventurous and imbued with the potent snarl that Arkona’s black metal influences have always gifted them with. “Nevidal” is a great example of this work, but the leads in the truly epic, awe-inspiring centrepiece of the album “Na Moey Zemle” and the maelstrom at the beginning of “Tropoiu Nevedannoi” also deserve mention.

It’s obvious to mention that Masha’s vocals are the crowning glory of the album, but as she’s one of the only female vocalists I could listen to literally all day, I shall do so anyway; she soars, she growls, she howls, she lulls, she whispers, all with a voice of startling clarity and beauty. “Liki Bessmertnykh Bogov” is especially masterful, but it’s moments like the beginning of “Kupaletc” and the gorgeous “Nebo Hmuroe, Tuchi Mrachniye” that can’t fail to raise the hair on the back of your neck. There are other vocal performances to enjoy on “Goi, Rode, Goi” as well, with a whole galaxy of folk metal stars having been tempted into collaboration by this incredible band.

"Goi, Rode, Goi" should be a new benchmark in folk metal; it's fierce, but at the same time it gives you the shivers. Traditional Russian melodies are raised to the epic level, without Arkona losing any of their bite. Proud, rousing and huge, this is a genre masterpiece that puts all lesser bands to shame. There a lot to discover on this album, but I guarantee you'll find yourselve returning to it many times to do just that.