Ice Vajal :: Music Land :: Metal World
 
editorial :: feedback :: newsletter ::  
   Bands :: A-Z / H / Haradwaith /

On disc: Haradwaith



Creating Hell - Carsten Bahr - 8 stars
Creating Hell - Mike Thompson - 8 stars


www.myspace.com/haradwaith







Creating Hell

Creating Hell
(Black Bards - 2010)


Formed in Greece in 2003, the founding duo of brothers Raudhrskal (Guitar) and Erebor (drums) have since moved to Germany where they got noticed enough to be given a deal with Black Bards. The black metal pedigree of this band is excellent featuring two members of Nargaroth and ex-Endstille frontman Iblis. However, we all know that just because a musician has been in a good band previously it doesn't mean that the new project will live up to expectation. How does Haradwaith compare to the other myriad black metal bands?
The answer is... extremely well! There are the usual Darkthrone elements on Creating Hell but also clear influence from the likes of Marduk and Satyricon and a very German undercurrent pervading the whole release, the sort of vibe you get from a Negator album or on the recently released Tauthr debut (another band with an Endstille connection). However, Haradwaith is not simply a clone of any of these bands.
Unfortunately this will more than likely be the last time we hear Iblis' rasp on record as he is leaving the music industry. Whilst this is indeed a loss for the black metal genre its at least good to know that the venerable vocalist has gone out in style! The album features eleven songs, eight of which feature Iblis. The final three are alternate versions of Open The Earth, Mephistophelian Philosophy and Seed Of Judas featuring new singer Skoll. A worthy successor? Indeed he is! Its actually quite difficult to differentiate between Iblis and Skoll!
The musicianship on this album is extremely tight with excellent guitar riffing, whether blasting at hyperspeed or crushing your skull with mid-paced brutality. The drumming is also extremely tight, as attested by Nile drummer George Kollias!
This is dirty, uncompromising black metal that fully displays the potential of Haradwaith. Its not perfect, the songs are a little too similar in parts. However its a fantastic debut from a band with, I'm sure, many more satanic litanies to spew forth in the future!


8 stars

Mike Thompson
 

up








Creating Hell

Creating Hell
(Black Bards - 2010)


Haradwaith was founded 2003 by the brothers Raudhrskal (guitar) and Erebor (drums), later they recruited Vorst (bass) and Slaktare (guitar). For a few years Iblis (ex-Endstille) was their singer and with him on mic they recorded at the and of 2009 their debut Creating Hell. The album was recorded at JAK's Hell-Studio where Endstille have recorded too. After a few live shows Haradwaith and Iblis went separate ways and Iblis announced that he'll no longer be part of the music circus. Soon the band found a new singer and they recorded 3 alternative versions which been featured on Creating Hell. The new guy is called Skoll and is also active in the black metal outfit Wandar. Haradwaith are known for fast black metal with an old school sound, but with a transparent sound and a fresh sounding production. The German-Greek cooperation don't sound at all like Southern European black metal bands like Rotting Christ, Nightfall or early Moonspell. Their sound is more inspired by the Nordic variety. The songs are mainly high speed black attacks and so one might think of bands like Dark Funeral, 1349 or Throns, even if you hear a bit of recent Satyricon in their slower passages. A good example is Seeds Of Judas. Don't expect only blast attacks, the also offer some melodic guitar parts and dark anthems like Open The Earth and Thoughts Of Exit. And this mix makes the album very entertaining. Former singer Iblis adds with his aggressive, weird voice a dash of craziness. Newbie Skool adds some grim vocals to the alternative versions of Open The Earth, Mephistophelian Philosophy and Seed Of Judas. A strong debut album by Haradwaith, but in future they shouldn't stay too close to the above mentioned bands. Instead they should develop their own sound. they have the skills and only need to develop on their own identity.


8 stars

Carsten Bahr
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)
 

up

           ©2008-2014 by Claudia Ehrhardt • E-Mail: contact@ice-vajal.com


Bands H