On disc: Gwydion

 
 Ŷnys Mön
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Ŷnys Mön
 
- Philip Thelen -
 
 


 
 Horn Triskelion
 
- Mike Thompson -
 
 

Horn Triskelion

(Trollzorn/SMP - 2010)



 
 

 

A melancholy intro with crystal clear female singing opens up this album like the call of the Valkyrie carrying the fallen to Valhall. The music increases in tempo as the fallen spirit is carried to Asgard and then as the brave warrior arrives at the hall of heroes the metal assault begins...or at least this is what I hope Gwydion was going for with the perfect intro, The Departure, that leads into the first song proper – Fara I Viking.

This Portuguese folk metal outfit has been around since 1995 and Horn Triskelion is their second full length album. The music created by Gwydion is typically bombastic folk 'battle' metal glorifying the heathen warriors of the ancient North. It is very easy to listen to, especially after a few beers (or flagons of mead), even though the vocals are usually harsh growls. Gwydion also make great use of vocal harmonies in the style of Ensiferum.

For me the most striking parts of this album are those sections where the female vocalist is utilized, such as in the intro And Of Ussa (A Terra Das Serpentes) as they add a truly epic and majestic feel to the music. The female vocals really remind me of those used in Ennio Morricone's Ecastasy of Gold from the movie The Good, The Bad And The Ugly.
My only major criticism is that Gwydion don't really push the boundaries of the genre at all and have ended up borrowing wholesale from other bands rather than finding their own style. In fact, Mead Of Poetry is rather too similar to Alestorm's Wenches And Mead for my liking and you would think Triskelion Horde is Nigh is a Skiltron song unless you knew better. However, despite this Horn Triskelion is a highly enjoyable album and I would recommend it to all fans of modern folk metal. If you want some good modern folk metal that encompasses all the best bits from the genre's most popular acts, from Ensiferum to Equilibrium, Skiltron to Alestorm then you should definitely give Gwydion a try.
 
 










Mike Thompson


  
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Ŷnys Mön

(Trollzorn - 2008)



 
 

 

The music of Gwydion sounds like a mixture of bands like Finntroll, Turisas and Ensiferum. Founded in 1995 in Portugal they recorded three demos through the years. Ŷnys Mön is the first full-length album, produced by themselves. The intro ... arrival starts with shore sounds and some viking drums. It turns into a battle and directly into the second song Rebirth. This song reminds me - because of the vocals and the accordion sounds - of bands like Turisas or Finntroll. But I like this song, heavy riffs and in some parts fast drums. Viking's Horned Parody starts with a pub brawl and clean guitars, but turns into fast drums and riffs. Spirals has some keyboard sounds more than the accordion and it does blow away anything with that heavy B-Part! Inquisition Queries starts with spoken words. In my opinion, this song is a bit more weird than the first four songs. The keyboard is irritating some times (this fast riff....). But it's a funny song. Descend Of Don is more accordion attached and turns into a great riff, perfect for headbanging. The Trickster Of Raganrök got some well played guitar riffs, but the whole song is little bit too keyboard-orientated. Turning Of The Wheel starts with accordion, too. Sometimes with melodies, sometimes in the background. This song is pretty good, one of my favourites!

I think that Gwydion doesn't have much own style. But in relation to genre heroes as Finntroll & co, Gwydion shows up with a really good sound (self-produced!) and songwriting! But I think they got to much keyboards involved. A bit less would be better.... in my opinion.
 
 










Philip Thelen

  
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Ŷnys Mön

(Trollzorn - 2008)



 
 

 

Gwydion is a Portuguese band which feels home in the viking metal scene. Their name is taken from Welsh mythology and is the name of a magician. They started back 1995 and released several demo and self-financed albums. Now they will conquer the Viking world with their debut Ŷnys Mön. The title seems to be derivatived from the Welsh name of the Isle of Angelsey - Ynys Mön.

The intro Arrival starts with battle sounds, drums and an epic choir. With Rebirth they offer the first song and it starts like Arrival...  The songs blend into each other. Very prominent from the beginning is the accordion, but as it's not listed I think it's keyboard-created.... The vocals of Ruben Almeida is deep and raspy, a bit like Fernando Ribeiro in the early years of Moonspell. They vary the speed and even if the accordion is always prominent the guitars take a step forward here and there with some fat riffs. The following Viking's Horned Parody starts with the sound of heavy rain and soon more battle sounds and a spoken words part. The Portuguese guys have something in common with Turisas... And partly Finntroll. On Spirals the keyboard adds some bombastic sounds and Ruben shows a bit variety in the vocals which makes the song more interesting. Inquisition Queries starts with spoken words and screams, then heavy riffs forcing Gwydion ahead. While the vocals give the tune something mean, the keyboard is irritating. I think the song would be stronger without it... At Descendent Of Don the keyboards is partly a bit too dominant, even if there the guitars can keep up with it. I like the part where they slow down and reduce to guitars. Afterwards it gets a bit bombastic again. With Turning Of The Wheel the accordion is back, but this time combined with some heavy riffs, before they storming away. The song is kinda closing the circle as due to the accordion it reminds you of Rebirth....

The album don't really have any fillers, but also no real anthems. And to be honest the accordion resp. the keyboard is annoying me after awhile... But the battle sounds and other effects are a bit overdone. Perhaps they should consider to work with a producer next time, that's probably what's needed... Check out: Descendent Of Don, Spirals, Rebirth and The Trickster Of Ragnarök.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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