Hanter Savet

When last year a friend of mine told me that Vindland had posted a new song I couldn’t believe my eyes. This project which was formed in Paimpol (Brittany), was one of the most promising bands in the epic black metal style back in 2009, when they released their first EP entitled “Ancestor´s Age”. This debut was an excellent first effort with an obvious influence from Windir, but being able to create songs with a distinctive personality. Tracks like “Ancestor´s Age” and “And the Battle Ended” showed an immense potential with their excellent melodies. Moreover, it was incredible to see how a non-Scandinavian band was able to compose melodies which reminded me the best and most iconic riffs of Windir, something that almost no one of the supposed Valfar worshippers were able to replicate. I was very excited with the idea of an upcoming full length, which should have developed and polished the already excellent tracks of that EP. Sadly, the band seemed to disappear and after a couple of years Vindland was buried by the mist of time and oblivion.

Fortunately, and after almost seven years Vindland emerged from the abyss of time like a forgotten warrior who returns from a battle. There were some changes in the bands line-up, like the departure of the keyboardist Maël, which has slightly affected the new album but without changing its core sound. The single “Orin Kozh” was a first taste of the (finally) upcoming debut entitled “Hanter Savet”. The band has decided to play homage to its roots writing the lyrics for the debut in Breton, the ancient language of Brittany. This album opener was the perfect presentation of the album and a confirmation that the core sound of Vindland was still there. The track has the traditional combination of fast tremolo riffs and an excellent taste for the melodies. Anyway, my expectations were absolutely fulfilled with the next single and second track of the album, “Treuswelus”. This song broght back the up beating and incredibly beautiful melodies influenced by Valfar´s unique style. It’s impossible not to headbang with this track which is epic beyond words.

“Hanter Savet” marks a logic evolution from Vinland’s debut with more developed tracks and a better production, improving which probably was the biggest weakness of the EP. The album flows from the brighter and faster tracks to the longer ones which have a slightly darker touch. The overwhelming majesty of tracks like “Treuswelus and “Skleur Dallus”, with their straightforward riffs, fast pace and majestic grandeur is interestingly contrasted by the more complex structures and slower development of songs like “Skorneg du” and “Skeud ar gwez”. This last track could mark a future development of Vinland’s style with its longer length, reaching almost twelve minutes. As it can be expected, the song contains a richer variation of riffs which flow from slower to faster ones, building a truly interesting track. I really like these sorts of tracks which are truly enriching and give to the album a welcoming feeling of solemnity. It’s undeniable that Vindland is a riff based band, something we can realize through the album. The work of the main guitar player Camille is truly astonishing, he masterfully plays the slower riffs, the faster ones and those whose marvelous melodies are inheritors of Windir´s trademark style. The only thing I miss is a more prominent role of the keys, because even though Vindland has never been a keyboard driven band, the keys were an important part of the epic sound in their debut EP. Logically, the departure of the keyboard player has been an influence on this small departure from “Ancestor’s Age”´s style. In my opinion it’s a pity because those keys are more than welcome in this album and mayor role wouldn’t retrain the attention from the riffs, which always will forge the characteristic sound of Vindland. As an example of how could they sound if they would have again a keyboard player, the album is closed by the excellent “And the battle Ended”. This song is a re-recorded version of a track appeared in their debut EP. The improved sound and bigger experience only improve this already excellent track. The marvelous Windir-esque riffs and the keys sound better than ever. What a beautiful end for an excellent album!.

In conclusion “Hanter Savet” is an extraordinary confirmation of the potential we saw in the first EP, improved by the years of experience and a clearly better production. The band tries successfully to build its own style, composing more complex tracks but fortunately, without forgetting their legacy and personal influences. I hope that they will never stop crating songs like “Treuswelus”, because no one does it so well!. Just add some more keys and I sincerely think that their sophomore album could be their definitive milestone.