SUIDAKRA have always been one of those bands that don’t quite make it onto the radar. Indeed, a lot of people you talk to don’t even know they exist. This album may be what changes that. A new label and new band members, not to mention rather flashy looking digi-packs and cover artwork, signals the recognition that SUIDAKRA deserves may perhaps be just around the corner.
For the un-initiated, SUIDAKRA - hailing from Germany - have a sound that is rooted in the traditional “melodic death metal” bracket, but with a refreshing mix of Celtic tinged folk and “battle metal” influences.
As the album starts, old fans may be slightly concerned by the distinct lack of the folk sound, gone in favour of some “needle on record” samples before the first riff kicks in. Having sung about many historical themes in the past – Orcs, Knights, and the usual battles filled with gore and death – the themes running through this album initially seem far less “historic”, a little less defined, and far more single-song based. Because of this, and the lack of the “folk” sound (bar the bagpipe interlude), the first half of the album tends to wash over a little bit. I’ve given it fair few listens and the first half just doesn’t grab me in the way past efforts do, such as “Signs For the Fallen” or “Emprise to Avalon”. Also, something that’s always been a factor with SUIDAKRA is their melodic vocalist DOES tend to struggle with the range he has to sing – and even with new members this still seems to be the case. Nothing a bit of vocal coaching wouldn’t cure surely?
Regardless of the album getting off to a rather plodding start, around the 5th track things start to get interesting – marking the return of the medieval minstrel “acoustic” style interlude of albums passed, which then seems to set the ball rolling – from this point on the album storms back to previous glories! Tracks “Second Skin”, “Reap The Storm” and “Strange Perfection” all ooze with the catchy riff work I have come to expect – but their new “modern” sound, when coupled with the return of the old folk sound just makes things all the more endearing. The medieval acoustic number “Gathered in Fear” - you could almost imagine being played in King Arthur’s court - and gives a welcome contrast to the heaviness either side. And I challenge anyone not to raise a wry smile during the catchy instrumental number “Dead Man’s Reel” when it breaks into a VERY recognisable Celtic folk number, or even the hidden cover version of “Moonlight Shadow”.
The production of their music is clearer than ever this time around - whilst still managing to retain that “meaty” sound - allowing for some gloriously heavy guitar melodies to get your teeth into. Whether or not this is the album that will send Suidakra into the big league is debateable, but what starts off as a somewhat lacklustre effort soon picks up in the second half and rewards the listener with some “folking” uplifting heavy metal anthems. Just sort those vocals out!
A selection of MP3's, including the song "Reap the Storm" are available for download at the band's official website. You can find them at THIS location.
Standout Tracks: Second Skin, Strange Perfection, Dead Man's Reel.
Overall Score: 7 /10
