Batavi

With Batavi, Heidevolk delivers its fourth full-length, and the Dutchmen made it into a very fine album with the necessary amount of spice.

For those of you who don't know Heidevolk, here's a short introduction to the band. Heidevolk is a folk metal sextet from the Dutch province Gelderland, who sing in Dutch. The band uses two singers but no folk instruments (except for a guest's contribution once in a while).

Batavi is the fourth album by the Dutchmen and a first concept album. Until now, the band sang about a variety of themes (mythology, history, folk and drinking songs) and now turns towards the history of the treaty between the Germanic tribe of the Batavi and the Roman Empire. Heidevolk shows its dark serious side, and is more of a pagan metal band than a folk metal band on Batavi. The violin we heard on previous albums only appears in Wapenbroeders and Veleda. Other than that, the band uses pure metal laden with good riffs.

The first thing you see is, of course, the artwork. On the first three albums, the artwork showed a landscape while Batavi shows a blooded mask. Darker, and a change parallel to the one heard in the music. Fans will recognize Heidevolk as their band, but things are not as cheerful as before. There are fewer sing-along parts (be it a "hohohoho" as in Saksenland or a catchy chorus as the one in Nehalennia). One may think I'm telling nonsense as the album takes of with such a moment, but that is one of the very few exceptions. But I do not miss those moments, because the atmosphere on the album cancels the need for them. But it has to be said that Dutch speaking fans may be able to pick up a few lines throughout the album.

The music is melodic but definitely harder and darker than any of the older songs. There are some surprisingly pounding moments to be found, for example Als de Dood Weer naar Ons Lacht, and these moments can go hand in hand with some more melancholic tunes (the wonderful Wapenbroeders, all the more in combination with the lyrics about leaving one's land).

The vocals deserve some extra attention, as they are excellent on Batavi. Singers Mark Splintervuyscht and Joris Boghtdrincker use a firm but very clear voice and never turn to screams or grunts, except for a rare wordless shout. Because of this clear vocals, the lyrics gain in importance and it becomes even more easy for the Dutch speaking listener to pick up the words. The use of double vocals also allows for a better dynamic in the music, and the band can change in sound and atmosphere. In this fashion, the two voices add a more epic feel to the music, which only gains from it.

To me, Batavi is fantastic album: more pagan than folk by leaving out lighter and more cheerful songs (exception is the folk song Veleda). Heidevolk has created its darkest and hardest album to date, without transforming into another band. Fans need not fear the changes, as they are only for the better. 2012 will have to be an amazing year for metal if Batavi does not end up in my top 10.

Originally written for www.ashladan.be.