Voland

This release or better said the compositions have a background/topic:

1. The siege of Leningrad, when the population, despite famine, cold and illness resisted 900 days against the nazi attack.
2. The most celebrated "Russian Campaign" of 1812 when, actually, Napoleon's empire came to an end.
3. The battle of Lake Peipus when in 1242 Prince Aleksandr Nevskij defeated, after an epic battle, the Teutonic Order, ending in such a way all crusade military campaigns on the Russian territory.
(Taken from the band's MySpace page; 2009-09-13)

So, three important dates in the Russian history are dealt with here and the listener might speculate whether each of the tracks come with a special set of arrangements, atmosphere or samples; something which might reflect this episode in some respect.

To describe the music in a nutshell: black metal (occasionally fast otherwise midtempo) with ambient/folk interludes/elements (slow to very slow); these are clearly distinct and separated from each other. In terms of the atmosphere the latter facet with the (clean) vocals has the largest impact and is actually quite interesting; keyboards and acoustic guitars create a chilling atmosphere and work as a counter-point to the harshness and aggressiveness of the metal facets. These have a symphonic touch and remind in terms of the keyboard textures in the background on the Italian band Stormlord. Generally, no black metal screams appear, rather some form of (quite good executed) growls. The mixture is interesting and with more professionalism, this band might be something to keep in the back of the head.

Well, the drum-computer kills it again; I wonder how often I have complained about this aspect already. The monotonous play, the way it was mixed (in the foreground of course) and the lack of dynamic can be expected somehow, but it is a strain to listen to nonetheless. Listen to the first part of Leningrad to get an impression on how not to do it.

Beyond this flaw, another one would be the lack of direction in terms of the compositions. I ask myself: what are the characteristic elements that represent each of the events that make up the conceptual framework of this release. Is there a special structure in the arrangements, some set of ideas with which the listener would be able to identify these? Judging from the music such does not seem to be the case; rather the contrary. Beyond the lyrical aspects the tracks there seems to be nothing of this important events in Russia's history. Further, the song-writing, even though there are not more than three compositions, becomes predictable over the time as Voland has a tendency to mix ambient/folk elements with black metal in a very limited style. So, even though some nice ideas can be found now and then, the overall quality is wanting. Good for a listen now and then but certainly nothing more. Do not misunderstand me, there is potential there, the outcome is just not optimal.

I cannot help myself, but when I read the about background of this release, then my expectations were most certainly not fulfiled.