As Homelands Burn

After a couple of years on their formation in 2005, Wales-based metal band Siluria rise from a long wintry slumber to release their debut record “As Homelands Burn”. This EP is limited to 100 hand-numbered copies. For those not familiar with Siluria’s sound, they specialize in sometimes epic, folkish pagan metal influenced primarily by Falkenbach, Moonsorrow, Battlelore and likely Agalloch as well. Unfortunately, originality is hard to come by in the vast realm of folk/pagan metal. Nevertheless Siluria’s melody is unique, simplified, absolutely great and undeniably fun!

To start with, one cannot help but feel that the main focus in this album is on the folk music side. In effect, epicness exudes from every element of “As Homelands Burn”. The songs are typically 6 to 9 minutes. Fortunately, they never get repetitive or more importantly boring, even after several listens. Certainly this is one of the most important positive aspects of the album. Notwithstanding the first and foremost advantage of “As Homelands Burn” is undoubtedly a high number of catchy guitar riffs. To a greater extent guitar-wizardry is evident here with a tremendous bunch of enjoyable guitar solos! Another excellent part that impressed me the most in the music is the vocals. They range from clean to chanted to black metal shrieks. In my point of view this combination, relatively common in this kind of metal, fit wondrously into the overall atmosphere. Not to mention that the vocals are also wisely varied to grab and keep a listener’s attention. But, alas, nothing is perfect. Drums are programmed and do not match the quality of the music. This is by far the most negative aspect of this record.

The way how the songs are presented is brilliant. The first track “Sleeping Giant” introduces most of the sides of this epic band. Indubitably this track is a great opener it has a strong driving rhythm and displays an engaging melodic section. No one can avoid noticing that the second track “Offering of Gold” is kind off a typical Agalloch covering Sol Invictus’ “Kneel to the Cross” worship. I don’t know if they did that on purpose but personally I was really amused listening to this song. The third and forth tracks respectively “The Gates of Annwn” and “As We Watch Our Homelands Burn” are wild and powerful. I can’t fully describe why but they’re quite different from the other two tracks above all absorbing and ingeniously structured.

Overall, this album is instantly enjoyable and emotive. Although it encompasses a lot of influences it keeps a consistent ambience through the whole album. What more can I write? If you really appreciate talented folk metal then you need to immediately check out this album. Finally, I will definitely be waiting the band’s upcoming release.