Ancient Will

Two leaders, two bands / projects /, both try to play it old school early 90’s Black Metal. Jorg Heinrich and Bjorn Desmet are running both their shows with ability but since their will went towards the old ways, why was the quality issue left behind? Presenting their latest joined effort , Ancient Will.

Heinrichreich

The Irish / Slovakian from Balyllean, Ireland, Jorg Heinrich began his project in 2007, handling all the instruments instead of the bass and small instruments. His style is old school Black Metal in the vein of the early raw Norwegian Black Metal scene with influences from bands like early Darkthrone, Emperor and Immortal. You can say he is doing it Falkenbach but without the Folk Metal musical elements, just the lyrical themes like Paganism and old Irish and Slovakian heritage. In Sep’ 2007 he released a demo named, Ein Reich , which featured the same songs that were collected for this split.

The production, handled by Heinrich, is, maybe intentionally, very poor sounding. There are some holes in it and the major ones are in the mastering section. There are instruments that receive too much volume in various sections and the result is the fading of other instruments. For example: the second track, “Forward To The Immortality” , although it starts out very good, the guitars almost totally overpowers the drums. And that is not the only track this sort of thing happens on. Even old and raw Black Metal acts such as Immortal in their 1992 album, Pure Holocaust, were able to avoid this sort of thing. Another small thing comes, again, in this same track. In its beginning there are these five annoying squeaks that sound like microphone trouble or too much gain.

As for Heinrich’s material, his writing is suitable for this sub-genre, both musically and lyrically. He tries to create various lead guitar riffs a'la old school Black Metal. Some of these riffs are very good and along with some lead bass lines they are the saviors of some tracks in his share of the release. But there are tracks that these riffs, pretty much, resemble each other just in a different scale. For example: “Poison In The Vein” and “My Journey To The Fantasy”. One of the good things that surround Heinrich’s release is the diverse bass lines that are mixed with some measure of melody.

Heinrich’s abilities to handle, almost all the roles of a band, are quite impressive. Overall he managed to succeed in his mission to make an old school release. His assistance came from the bass guitar section, handled by the Slovakian, Mathornor Mrtwosh, who is in charge of the melodies of the bass. The small instruments like bodrahns, whistles and pipes are handled by Heinrich’s wife Linda. Heinrich demonstrates some nice vocals abilities but these are very much the same as other Black Metal acts, even in today’s Black Metal scene.

Heinrich presents fine songs, but because of various similarities between them, some lose interest pretty quick. The good ones will get their deserved credit. “Forward To Immortality” is a good track with a catchy, morbid melody a'la old school Black Metal. Also there are these cool lead bass lines. “Ancient Will” is an early 90’s Black Metal song, a very solid one with great vocals. “Teutonic Forest” is another impressive one, especially in the melody section, but it has some annoying parts near its end as well.

Rating: 7/10

Taranis

Bjorn Desmet is the main man behind Taranis. The band / project was formed, in West Flanders, Belgium, in 2005. Since its formation, Taranis released its first self titled debut in 2007. Aside from the split with Heinrich they also will release their own 2008 release which goes by the name of Flandriae. The official release date is scheduled to be in December under the label Iron Pegasus. Taranis’s way is also old school Black Metal but mixed with very minor elements of Thrash Metal. Let’s say you can put them in the same room with Destroyer 666 and Bewitched.

Taranis’ chose, maybe also by intention, to go for a low quality production. He, like the former, succeeded in making the old sound of Black Metal a'la the early 90’s. He has the same trouble with mastering but there is another thing about his release. The drums, made by Fynnbrenn Ó Torcklàn, sound like they were programmed. Almost nothing in them sounds natural. The only positive thing about them is that they sound like old 80’s drums of Heavy Metal – let’s say more of a mid 80’s sound. This factor, really, has a negative effect on Taranis’ share of the release. As for the mastering issue, the guitars are way too behind and the vocals are stronger than everything here.

Delivering words about Paganism, pride and honor, Taranis’ material is presented as a solid piece. Regarding the music, it’s very simple with fewer complexities. The riffs are repeating themselves – almost every song has its own main and only riffs. This element can bore some listeners. In addition, there are a few minor solos like in “Possessed” and “Feeding The Ravens”. The solos are also very simple. It is expected from one that mixes Thrash Metal, regardless of any other sub-genre, to be much more aggressive in the solo sections. As for the lyrics, they are also well expected. Taranis are continuing with the same themes that served them since their arrival.

Bjorn, as a vocalist, is like any other Black Metal vocalist, but sounds more like Abbath of Immortal with high pitched and crunchy growls. As a guitarist he is doing pretty much routine stuff, playing well expected simple riffs. As a bassist, it’s hard to tell because the bass line is very thin. If Torcklàn is actually drumming he has some impressive moments out there.

Taranis’ share of the tracks, in this release, are an okay-minus. He has trouble in making them interesting. Some of them start to get boring in their middle. But there are songs that have some potential like: “Feeding The Ravens” which is the best track in this release that comes along with an attacking force, cool simple solo section and driving chorus. Alongside this one, arrives the track “Possessed” which goes in the same line. The closer, “Tenebrae Et Noctus”, closes the album with some finesse.

Rating: 6.5/10

Both Black Metal artists tried their best to sound like the old Black Metal scene. For what can be noticed from their joint release, they made it through. The only problems that occurred were in the sound area. These things can be resolved pretty fast. Their way to glory is carved; they just have to follow it. Cheers mates!!

After spending a considerable time with this album, over many nights, I finally settled down to write my review of this unique album.

The intro to the album lasts close to two minutes, and it's quite beautiful. Not the way I expected the album to start, so that's a bonus point from the get go. Nice, melancholy ridden keyboards set the tone for an easy listening folk tune. Easy listening, yet quite hard at the same time. While it sets the mood for the rest of the tracks to follow, it is also quite predictable exactly what you'll be hearing next.

"Forward to the Immortality" barges out of your speakers next, with nice, melodic riffing. The highlight are the vocals though I must say, Jörg has done a great job, and as already noted in previous reviews, very close to Abigor. The guitar riffs are simple and stick to a pretty set formula, so don't expect any extravagant guitar work. Track number two starts off much better, with another nice intro, before setting into what can only be described as a mediocre riff at best. It is greatly heightened by the synths below it, but on it's own it just does not seem to have any power behind it. Most of the song is in the same key and never seems to change, though this I assume was done on purpose, as to not distract from the overall atmosphere of the track. It features a nice bass interlude, then launches back into the same riff we heard previously.

From this point on, the tone of the rest of the album is pretty much set in stone, and it doesn't really deviate from what you've heard so far. Some parts sound great and purposeful, while others are pretty lacking. The band in my opinion isn't very comfortable at blistering high speeds - the comfort zones here at the more mid paced tracks, where the instruments can breathe and have more focus and power. The overall vocals are pretty damn awesome - low and demonic, they set a really nice, cold atmosphere which really works. However, as previously stated, the majority of the riffs to be found here seem heavily recycled. Hell, some even remind me of early Cradle of Filth.

The whole package could have benefited greatly by some good production. While the mix is alright, it's the guitar tone and drum machine which really kills any of the atmosphere which was achieved in the first place.

While the album features some good ideas (and some downright bad ones) its still a strong effort. It could benefit greatly by some better sounding guitars and drums and over time, it could develop into something great, provided that the engine for the band (the riffs) are more solid. Some of the riffs on this album I could have sworn to have heard before.

This split called "Ancient Will" contains two different types of black metal composition and goings on. Heinrichreich offers an interesting plate of more traditional guitar riff oriented metal with some welcome ambient like elements to make the whole more twisted. Taranis is more straightforward ass kicking attitude with even a technical solo in the middle!

Heinrichreich's intro track makes you imagine the soundscapes of ...and Oceans or Dödheimsgard's Satanic Art, for example. The intro is dominated by piano keyboards and some more nostalgic instrument(s), possibly flute or simply synths. This mixture of futuristic male voice and simple instrumentary then bursts into the first actual song with its guitar guided fastness and playfulness. That means this is not too dark or depressing material at all but more playful and energetic, both adjectives being the virtues describing the whole split, too.

There aren't any of the "usual" problems in this young band's playing techniques. It all has been practised so that it sounds good and natural. No embarassing or unintentional changes or flaws in rhythm, picking or other playing. The sound of Heinrichreich is also quite clean still being far from unnaturally or gratuitously clean studio product. The two bands that definitely come to my mind via Heinrichreich are Abigor and Rev. Kriss Hades' "The Wind of Orion" from Sadistik Exekution. Heinrichreich's singing voice reminds me of Abigor, also its imaginative and circulating guitar riffs. Heinrichreich may not be as epic and melancholic as Abigor but that also means it doesn't sound too much of anything already existing.

Rev. Kriss Hades lunatic and aggressive ambient fueled black metal is more extreme than Heinrichreich's nostalgia and I think that even some expanded use of keyboards could had been an interesting idea for Heinrichreich, too. In other words, Heinrichreich's style welcomes several kinds of "industrial" or "futuristic/time travelling" sounds and soundscapes quite nicely.

The highlight of Heinrichreich's side is the fourth song, "Teutonic Forest". This one is short but epic and haunting, especially the part that is repeated couple of times throughout the song, kind of "ancient-chorus." All songs are quite short and have many changes inside them. This makes Heinrichreich's music style very energetic and interesting to be followed conserning the future compositions.

Taranis possesses some impressive and evil attitudes of black 'n roll, in a not-too-serious way. The personal image in Metalarchives band page seems to prove this assumption. Taranis has some nice moments of thrashing black metal meeting simple folk moments of dance. I mean especially the song "Bright Shield" which begins slowly but has some catchy surprises once the song evolves further. Taranis doesn't sound as technically balanced as Heinrichreich but it fascinates with its genuine and simple black metal riffing, bringing even some earlier material of Mayhem and maybe Carpathian Forest to mind. There are some solos as well, not too gratuitous or irritating, just there to be banged your head and beer with.

The split is not bad at all. You don't have to feel bored with it and both bands certainly have a vision they want to change into music.

I was really interested in Heinrichreichs album release because of the lyrical concept of mixing the Irish/ Slovakian heritage and the big philosophic topic of self creation. Jörg Heinrich was able to create some really good songs that are worth listening to. He starts out by taking his listeners down a path with a sad and soft folk intro. But then the album begins to rage in a harsh and raw way that make children cry. The guitars are cold and the vocals solid, full of fury and rage. The rhythm section is mostly in a moderate tempo with well placed blastbeats giving a boisterous drive to the songs that simply kick your ass. The best moments of the album are the parts with the randomly inserted folk tones. This is what makes the sound of Heinrichreich so unique. There are no happy folk tracks that are so hyped and ‘cool’ at the moment, just majestic, natural, dark rhythms from the past. Heinrichreich’s instrumental gadgetry or songwriting isn’t perfect. It is more because of Jörg Heinrich’s love for what he is doing; he simply lives by his own life’s ‘philosophy’. This ‘philosophy’ is pure hatred against mankind and at the same time absolute esteem for nature, but most importantly Slovakian and Irish traditions. This leads to a style of black metal that is impressive and dominating, but evil and brutal, too. My personal favorite song is ‘Poison in the vein’ which is exhausting, impulsive, and vicious. Jörg Heinrich is spitting right in your face with his incredible vocals. They are ferocious rage against humanity. Heinrichreich isn’t able to strip Primordial from the Irish black metal throne but it is a great first impression of what will follow in the near future.

Now this split-CD is quite difficult to review. Two unknown bands, first from Ireland and second from Belgium. Both play black metal, but from different starting-points. Heinrichreich is a one-man band, with Jorg Heinrich playing all instruments save the cello, and celebrating, in his own words, Slovak and Irish culture.

Heinrichreich side of the split clearly shows promise but does npt quite live up to expectations. Vocals are well performed though your typical bm growl, but I admit to have liked them. As a musician Mr. Heinrich is clearly talented, but what bothers me a little bit are the songs and the overall atmosphere. Let me elaborate a little.

“Teutonic Forest” is quite a good song with catchy guitar riff. In other songs, notably “My Journey to the Fantasy” and “Poison in the Vein” it seems like just one riff is used and slightly varied. All songs are also near mid-tempo speed, with no variation there. An occasional slower or faster piece would give the listener some respite. The guitar-sound in the songs is very high -tuned and almost merry, which in my opinion is not fitting in black metal at all. Production in first half of the CD has a home-made feel in a way. So, for next production, please 1) tune down your guitars, 2) “roughen up” the production, and 3) write songs that differ from each other in tempo and structure.

Taranis seems to be a little more mature when it comes to song-writing. All the songs are quite coherent and musicians in this Belgian band don’t strike the wrong chord. “Bright Shield” and “Feeding the Ravens” stand out from the rest, they both have good riffs and guitar-work. There are two things, however, that lower the points for Taranis. First, the drumming, though decently done, sounds in the album too thin. Production fails at this respect. Second, the vocals are distorted in the style of Venom, and I’m not too fond of that kind of singing. To be frank, it started to annoy me greatly after 2-3 songs.

To judge the split as a whole, I will give it above-mentioned 60 points. If both bands keep developing, who knows what they score the next time?

Heinrichreich opens this split with his take on melodic pagan black metal. And it sure is melodic. No complaints there. The problem is that the melodies are useless and not the least bit original. The music of Heinrichreich sounds like something that Summoning or Windir would have rejected in rehearsal. The songs sound undone and structures are very weak and will not stand for any closer inspection at all. There are a few parts where it sounds ok, like the end of track four but other than that I just wish to forget about these songs quickly...and helping me with is Taranis who plays a style of rock n roll infested black metal that I will never grow tired of. you can hear traces of bands like Venom in these tracks but there is still a lot of originality in the riffing and most of all in the twisted vocals which are among the best i´ve heard in a long time. If you like your black metal with a lot of attitude Taranis is the band for you.

This is a split that I cannot recommend to anyone because I only enjoyed the Taranis songs and my advice is that you check out their own releases. As for Heinrichreich all I can say is: keep working, who know, you might get right in the future but I for one will not hold my breath. As far as the rating goes I´d give the Heinrichreich part a 10 rating and Taranis 90

Well the new split is out right now. Jörg Heinrich made a split with a Belgium solo project Taranis. The result is very good! For first point of view its seems be a two different sort of Black Metal genres. HeinrichreicH is more technical and full of perfect riffs and changing atmosphere. Taranis is playing more simply but the feeling is just perfect. You shall feel that you listen some BM band from Norway around 1990. Pure and without mercy.


Heinrichreich

1. Intro - It will not surprise you with some technical overtures but it does makes a good atmosphere. Its a wind before a storm. " simply and clear"

2. Forward to the Immortality – So that's it! My favorite song full of atmosphere and changing moods. Starting very slow with dark feelings and perfects simply riffs. Vocals are cutting your soul and guitars are sharp like a wind somewhere in Slovakian rocky mountains. In the middle of the song is beautiful solo and a great melody which really surprised me. Its perfectly simple and the effect for listener is very good. This song is really exciting. Well done!

3. Ancient Will – This song have special atmosphere and was a first song what Jörg even write. Starting with nice keyboards and after starting beautiful melodies. In the middle it starts changing to more a satanic melodies. All song has a good atmosphere and the vocals are fantastic.

4. Teutonic Forest – This is a superb song. Melody and riffs are simply but you have a feeling of majestic forest, lakes and in the air is smell of needles. You are in the middle of Black forest in Germany. Excellent song with very deep content.

5. My Journey to the Fantasy – Again and again different content and different riffs and melodies. This song is more fairy-tale sounding. I like the vocals are very lashing and sharp, cruel and without mercy.

6. Poison in the Vein – This song is the last. I don't understand the language. It suppose to be a song against the junkies. Riffs very good, fast tempo. Basically pure hatred and supremacy.

Those 6 songs are very good. For first demo its very matured. The album has a content, atmosphere. I am excited about new Jörg full-length album. Should be recorded in proper studio. Fingers crossed.


Taranis

7. The Chain of Wotansvolk
Oh yeah. Old well known melodies a la Venom, Motörhead etc. Strong feeling of late 80-ties and starting 90-ties. Perfect atmosphere! Riffs are straight forward and simply. Vocal is very well no doubts there. I don't like the drums machine sound very much "cliche".

8. Bright Shield
Very good music. Slowly melodies, keyboard work is very good as well. You can have very authentic feelings and take a bottle of Heineken beer. Riffs very old stylish. Love it.

9. Possessed
Really worship the atmosphere of the old Taranis demo. Its old style sounding unbelievable ideas, personally I have a very good feeling. Song Possessed its really possessed. Riffs are fast and intransigently sounding.

10. Intro/Feeding the Ravens
This is my favorite song. Intro is just perfect. I start feel and imagine some old shed in the middle of Flanders. Very impressing. Again solos are very nice, melodic, stylish. It is something reminds me..

11. Tenebrae et Noctus
The last song is very fast with good fitted riffs. Old classic thrash/black metal. Vocal is devastating and uncompromisingly sounded.


If you are underground Black Metal fan you simply have to own this split CD. Both bands are very talented. If HeinrichreicH will continue his good job I am sure that he will get a contract with some big label. Taranis is a very good for drinking and nostalgia. I am sure that his new album will be very good. I am exciting to here more from both of them. Again well done!