Silverwing

Of course, this single has some historical importance. Of course it’s hard to judge Quorthon and Jennie Tebler’s gothic project by what remains of it, these only two little tracks. Of course I won’t rejoice at Quorthon’s death. But I still have to admit that, be it finished or not, this project wasn’t likely to add anything to Bathory’s mastermind fame.

Silverwing is a decent gothic song, but from Quorthon we could have expected much, much more. One definitely doesn’t have to be a pioneer of black metal and/or the creator of Viking metal to record this. Of course, Quorthon’s characteristic guitar sound is here, but the music in itself sounds rather uninspired, and the song becomes rapidly boring after more than two listens. Concerning the vocals, I hadn’t heard Jennie Tebler before and I don’t regret anything: the standard pop-ish vocals which are way too much spread nowadays. I would almost have preferred to hear Quorthon’s awful voice: it sounds, at least, unique.

The second track is a cover of Song to Hall up High, if one can speak of a cover as the music is unchanged, only the vocals have been replaced by Jennie Tebler’s. Now it’s rather simple: did you think for one second that some (rather poor) gothic voice could fit with a VIKING song? Well, case closed.

I don’t know if this was really intended to remind us of the talented musician that Quorthon was, but it doesn’t really pay tribute to him, even if I guess he doesn’t give a fuck for it where he is now. For me it sounds more like another cash-grab on the great man’s name, but it’s just my humble opinion...

Like most other fans, I was shocked to hear about Quorthon's death. When I heard about this EP, I hoped it would as least give some tribute to Quorthon and his legacy. The EP starts with 'Silverwing', and is really cool. It has some definate trademark Bathory riffing with Jennie's vocals. They are very beautiful and it works quite well. If they had made a full album, I am sure it would have been really great. This song is very heavy, but not brutal.

Following that, we have 'Song To Hall Up High'. This is Quorthon's version of the song (all his original instruments, effects, synth) but with Jennie singing instead. She adds a mourning touch to it and it definately hits the heart. Very uplifting and inspiring...I'd probably have it play at my funeral.

It is noted that Jennie tried to do this song with Quorthon's backing track but she would start crying everytime it happened, so she did it solo. Obviously, Jennie was very close to Quorthon. While I don't think all of the hordes were crying, we were affected in some way or another.

The only drawback to this at all, would just be its length. At two songs, its short. But they are memorable tracks and you will be playing them again.

Hail The Hordes.