Review by Vladimir on July 15, 2024.

Every time I look back at 80's extreme metal classics that hailed from North America, South America or Europe, I always look at them with a smile as they throw me back to angry teenage days. Although there are still bands that are trying to revive that sound and style, rarely will you come across bands that do it right, because most of them are just uninspiring gimmick bands, rather than enthusiastic and passionate musicians. One exceptional case is the Italian black/death/thrash metal band Dethroner, which had recently released their self-titled EP Dethroner on July 9th, 2024 via Unholy Domain Records. If you are hungry for warlust, filled with hatred, fueled by bestiality, then this one will be a fine treat for you.

This hellish journey begins with a catchy mid-tempo instrumental 'F.O.A.D.', that slowly and gradually builds up the lustful carnage that awaits, until the bloodthirsty track 'War At Last' finally hits the gas with pure bestial devastation. As soon as it starts thrashing, it's pretty much non-stop merciless slaughter that eliminates all who oppose, absolutely ripping the flesh with primitive guitar riffs, blasting drums and harsh shouting vocals, presented in a true oldschool extreme metal spirit. What you will notice from the very get-go about Dethroner's music, is that it pretty much lives and breathes 80's black, thrash and death metal, with influences coming from various bands such as "Bestial Devastation/Morbid Visions" era Sepultura, "INRI/Rotting" era Sarcofago, Holocausto, Sextrash, Vulcano, Mutilator, Possessed and Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, which is musically and stylistically very authentic to the works of aforementioned bands, plus it gives a nice throwback to those extreme metal classics. The riff work is pretty much constant death-thrashing madness with dirty guitar solos that raise the bar even higher with even more savagery and barbarism expressed in the band's overall performance. Although this is a five-track EP, it pretty much gives a good glimpse at what kind of style and direction Dethroner established, with a very solid execution that promises more madness to come after the bell rings in the conclusion of final track 'Soldiers Of Satan'.

Dethroner's songwriting has a lot of musical simplicity and is very straightforward when it comes to the general execution, however it still manages to be dynamic with its frequent tempo changes and all around mix of ideas. Although this was a short but delightful journey, this is nonetheless a very strong start for a band that for the better part resurrects the spirit of 80's Brazilian extreme metal, and their work on this EP is pretty much spot on in that regard. The performance on this EP is intense and banging all the way through, and it doesn't slow down or thin out during the second half, because it only manages to get more interesting and raw with each next riff and blast beat that comes on. It's definitely an everlasting strength that transitions from one track to another, and they obviously took their task very seriously because it would be a shame if it became monotone, boring or uninspiring.

Dethroner's self-titled EP is a strong and promising start that was highly pleasing all the way through, while nicely building up the anticipation for even more teeth-grinding action that will come in the future. It's a kickass release that I highly recommend you check out, especially if you are into bands like early Sepultura, Sarcofago and Vulcano to name a few.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by John B. on July 25, 2024.

Well, if Uit Oude Grond really is Heidevolk's worst work, as the low scores before me suggest, then they are doing a lot of things right! All of the best elements of folk/viking metal are showcased here, with practically nothing you don't want in there. Fantastically harmonized, deep but clear vocals bordering on a chanting style - check. Catchy Germanic folk melodies mostly led by the guitars - check. Cool mandolins poking out now and then without neutering the metal - check!

Bockting and van Gelre, with occasional backup from Jesse Middelwijk for catchy group choruses, manage to turn one of the cheesier ideas of viking metal into a respectable signature for themselves. That is, many other bands in the Falkenbach/Kampfar/Thyrfing vein relegate their rare clean vocals to the intentionally simple singalong choruses, so they end up feeling very camp. Heidevolk's vocal crew sing in that deep, sort of ritualistic chant all the time, so it feels like it belongs. That's not to say it ever gets monotone. The guys often harmonize with one taking the (relatively) higher registers, and the effect is always rousing. Check the chorus of "Ostara" and the opening verses of "Reuzenmacht" for the best of the vocal harmonies.

Musically, Heidevolk achieve a true mixture of folk tunes with metal instruments, like I believe the genre should. Along with Skyforger and Obtest, I'd put these Dutchmen on the list of masters of doing folk metal properly: which to me, means that they play "metalized folk". Even the fully guitar-dominated songs like "Nehalennia" and "Een Geldersch Lied", don't need any fiddling or other stuff to remind you it's folk, because of the super catchy Germanic folk melody being played by said guitars themselves. (The bullhorn in "Nehalennia" is of course still welcome, and a pretty cool touch.)

On the other side, songs like "Alvermans Wraak" and "Levenslot" offer the band's best moments of trading mandolin and guitar leads, both of which make the most of their time in the sun. "Deemstering" is a wistful little fully acoustic piece that would have made a lovely farewell to the album, except that there's another (admittedly quite good), song after it.

Pretty much the only things I'd take out from this masterpiece are the mercifully rare attempts at harsh vocals in "Vlammenzee" and "Beest bij Nacht". Not that they're poorly done, they're just unnecessary and out of character. I could also do without the drinking and hey-heys at the end of "Alvermans Wraak", but I guess that's no biggie.

Need more clean singing in your folk/viking metal collection? Need more folkish melodies played on metal guitars, rather than lazy metal chugs accompanied with flutes and fiddles? Start here!

Rating: 9.5 out of 10