Homeward

If you enjoy Turisas or earlier Ensiferum, you should get a kick out of South Africa's Balyios, who evoke the same historical subtext via sinewy power/death and heroic, oftentimes overbearing symphonics. Personally, I get more mileage out of this style when it at least attempts a serious disposition, instead of stupid "tavern" songs and accordian-infused prepubescent romps. Balyios certainly aren't strangers to such deficiencies here on Homeward, but just like Battle Metal, this album knows when to curtail the horseplay and get back into the fray pursuant to an appreciable bodycount. Some of it still manages to elicit a few eyeball rolls, but I'm mostly with the band for the duration - which to their credit is not necessarily an easy task for the style.

As a comparison that will shock few, Ruan Malan's harsh battlecries sound like a shoe-in for Petri Lindroos' more exhaled, throaty grumble from his years with Ensiferum; less so than with Norther where it was more visceral. It's a fair interpretation, offset by Boshoff's cleans. So the expected dichotomy is put in full effect here, riding the blood-soaked coattails of the thrashy licks, which themselves adhere fluidly to the style's underlying precepts. From the cavernous chugs of "Witches' Betrayal" to the tense rigidity of "Niflheim," there are more than a few palpable numbers here. The synths are used in a creative manner, somehow concurrently omnipresent yet punctual. Their use is certainly extensive, but they rarely overwhelm and swallow the remainder as is often the case. Take "Witches' Betrayal' for example again; the leads and keys coalesce into a very engaging whole.

The only song I downright disliked was "Elder Bliss," for reasons cited in detail on the first paragraph. Elsewhere, the organic influx of emotive, cracking leads helps maintain equilibrium. To demonstrate this, listen to "Earth Reborn," which contains more than its share of folky jauntiness, although relegated to to the back burner in favor of razing power metal leads and symphonic orchestra hits. To risk redundancy, Homeward sounds much like Battle Metal, as Turisas were clearly a strong influence. Variation underneath the razing leads is hardly mechanical, with the preponderance of mixing pot synths that come off as endearingly idiosyncratic; at least to me. I just get the vibe that the band isn't averse to thinking outside of the box with their use, and this helps keep the record rather spirited and congruent in tone.

There are few overt failures here outside of "Elder Bliss.' Near the end of the record, "Enter Euphoria" stands tall as a collective snapshot of everything Balyios have to offer on one song, with endearing choral and guest female vocal interjection. As a slightly less washed-out sounding alternative to Æther Realm and Hammer Horde, Balyios are a fine choice. The fact that they were able to keep me interested for the duration speaks volumes, because I normally can't stand this style.