Burden of Ymir – Heorot
This is music for singing along in drunken voices, for rousing the spirit of warriors before battle, or for dancing, full of glee, through the moshpit.
Myrkgand – Old Mystical Tales
Dynamic pacing, well thought out composition, a strong vocal performance, and earworm riffing all contribute to making this an album well worth hearing.
Zebulon Kosted – Torches Behind The Waterfall
A strong ambient blur brings you into a reminiscent period where for a split second you can duplicate the complexity of emotions and feelings you gave birth to while being in the center of life, light, and love.
Amiensus/Oak Pantheon – The Gathering II
This time, each band offers a track to the release, as they did last time, but in addition, they sandwich a collaborative track in the middle. Big picture, this split is everything I’d hoped it would be.
Hayduke’s Top 50 of 2018
What a year it’s been! There is no way a top 50 album is enough to truly express the fantastic year of music that was 2018. Nevertheless, check it out, comment, agree, argue, enjoy!
Arallu – Desert Battles
Arallu play a style of black metal owing a debt to the early masters, but infusing their music with traditional middle eastern instruments.
Verikalpa – Taistelutahto
This would most definitely translate into a great party album for drinking ale and mead to.
Arallu Interview
Hayduke interviews Butchered, founding member of Jerusalem based Arallu.
Pereplut – V Starodavnie Goda
V Starodavnie Goda is a romping album that calls to mind a medieval tavern filled with victorious warriors after battle.
Downcast Twilight – Under the Wings of the Aquila
Melodic death metal is the order of the day. Upon this foundation, the band uses folk flourishes, including a violin, to round out the sound.