© Copyright-Siluria (885767923249)
Record Label: Darkened Empire
Released 31.10.2011
Darkened Empire
cd1der31102011
Track listing:
Sleeping Giant
Offering of Gold
The Gates of Annwn
As Homelands Burn
Record Label: Darkened Empire
Released 31.10.2011
Darkened Empire
cd1der31102011
Track listing:
Sleeping Giant
Offering of Gold
The Gates of Annwn
As Homelands Burn
_As Homelands Burn review from Metal Archives
_
After a couple of years on their formation in 2005, Wales-based metal band Siluria rise from a long wintry slumber to release their debut record “As Homelands Burn”. This EP is limited to 100 hand-numbered copies. For those not familiar with Siluria’s sound, they specialize in sometimes epic, folkish pagan metal influenced primarily by Falkenbach, Moonsorrow, Battlelore and likely Agalloch as well. Unfortunately, originality is hard to come by in the vast realm of folk/pagan metal. Nevertheless Siluria’s melody is unique, simplified, absolutely great and undeniably fun!
To start with, one cannot help but feel that the main focus in this album is on the folk music side. In effect, epicness exudes from every element of “As Homelands Burn”. The songs are typically 6 to 9 minutes. Fortunately, they never get repetitive or more importantly boring, even after several listens. Certainly this is one of the most important positive aspects of the album. Notwithstanding the first and foremost advantage of “As Homelands Burn” is undoubtedly a high number of catchy guitar riffs. To a greater extent guitar-wizardry is evident here with a tremendous bunch of enjoyable guitar solos! Another excellent part that impressed me the most in the music is the vocals. They range from clean to chanted to black metal shrieks. In my point of view this combination, relatively common in this kind of metal, fit wondrously into the overall atmosphere. Not to mention that the vocals are also wisely varied to grab and keep a listener’s attention. But, alas, nothing is perfect. Drums are programmed and do not match the quality of the music. This is by far the most negative aspect of this record.
The way how the songs are presented is brilliant. The first track “Sleeping Giant” introduces most of the sides of this epic band. Indubitably this track is a great opener it has a strong driving rhythm and displays an engaging melodic section. No one can avoid noticing that the second track “Offering of Gold” is kind off a typical Agalloch covering Sol Invictus’ “Kneel to the Cross” worship. I don’t know if they did that on purpose but personally I was really amused listening to this song. The third and forth tracks respectively “The Gates of Annwn” and “As We Watch Our Homelands Burn” are wild and powerful. I can’t fully describe why but they’re quite different from the other two tracks above all absorbing and ingeniously structured.
Overall, this album is instantly enjoyable and emotive. Although it encompasses a lot of influences it keeps a consistent ambience through the whole album. What more can I write? If you really appreciate talented folk metal then you need to immediately check out this album. Finally, I will definitely be waiting the band’s upcoming release.
- GraveWish, November 26th, 2011
After a couple of years on their formation in 2005, Wales-based metal band Siluria rise from a long wintry slumber to release their debut record “As Homelands Burn”. This EP is limited to 100 hand-numbered copies. For those not familiar with Siluria’s sound, they specialize in sometimes epic, folkish pagan metal influenced primarily by Falkenbach, Moonsorrow, Battlelore and likely Agalloch as well. Unfortunately, originality is hard to come by in the vast realm of folk/pagan metal. Nevertheless Siluria’s melody is unique, simplified, absolutely great and undeniably fun!
To start with, one cannot help but feel that the main focus in this album is on the folk music side. In effect, epicness exudes from every element of “As Homelands Burn”. The songs are typically 6 to 9 minutes. Fortunately, they never get repetitive or more importantly boring, even after several listens. Certainly this is one of the most important positive aspects of the album. Notwithstanding the first and foremost advantage of “As Homelands Burn” is undoubtedly a high number of catchy guitar riffs. To a greater extent guitar-wizardry is evident here with a tremendous bunch of enjoyable guitar solos! Another excellent part that impressed me the most in the music is the vocals. They range from clean to chanted to black metal shrieks. In my point of view this combination, relatively common in this kind of metal, fit wondrously into the overall atmosphere. Not to mention that the vocals are also wisely varied to grab and keep a listener’s attention. But, alas, nothing is perfect. Drums are programmed and do not match the quality of the music. This is by far the most negative aspect of this record.
The way how the songs are presented is brilliant. The first track “Sleeping Giant” introduces most of the sides of this epic band. Indubitably this track is a great opener it has a strong driving rhythm and displays an engaging melodic section. No one can avoid noticing that the second track “Offering of Gold” is kind off a typical Agalloch covering Sol Invictus’ “Kneel to the Cross” worship. I don’t know if they did that on purpose but personally I was really amused listening to this song. The third and forth tracks respectively “The Gates of Annwn” and “As We Watch Our Homelands Burn” are wild and powerful. I can’t fully describe why but they’re quite different from the other two tracks above all absorbing and ingeniously structured.
Overall, this album is instantly enjoyable and emotive. Although it encompasses a lot of influences it keeps a consistent ambience through the whole album. What more can I write? If you really appreciate talented folk metal then you need to immediately check out this album. Finally, I will definitely be waiting the band’s upcoming release.
- GraveWish, November 26th, 2011
As Homelands Burn review from Pete Woods - MetalTeamUK
_
This disc turned up with a note reminding me that I had reviewed the band when they played the Unicorn three years ago in support to Waylander. Indeed I had and I went in search of more info remembering I had fairly liked the tribe from Carmarthen who had also on the night shared band members with other support group Annwn. That was the last I had heard from them and one can only wonder what they have been up to since then and why it has taken so long to release this, their debut four track CD?
Playing this the first time, another thing that I was struck with was the familiarity of opening track ‘Sleeping Giant.’ Did they play it that night and has it been sleeping ever since? Well if so it’s a formidable song to have been so memorable and with its call to arms, gung-ho chorus compelling us to “rise, rise” it only takes one brief listen to be firmly entrenched on your memory. This is a pagan anthem from this somewhat folk etched pagan metal band and it really stands proudly up on the disc. Other songs are not quite so in the face in fact ‘Offering Of Gold’ is a complete contrast with a sombre maudlin melody, slow acoustic pace and clean harmonious vocals installing a sense of loss about it. Again things change as the vocals rasp angrily into ‘The Gates Of Annwn.’ There is a fair bit of versatility and these four tracks show that the group have plenty of ideas that will no doubt spill over into an album that is destined to follow this next year. The guitar harmonics and the spoken Welsh parts on this particular track gives it a firm identity. Finally we have the title track with a really evocative and haunting keyboard intro and atmospheric distant booms. This progresses into traditional sounding guitar leads and another song with a strong sense of melody and vocal interplay.
All in all there is plenty to like here if you like your metal pagan with a sense of history about it. Could we actually have an example of true Welsh heritage metal here? Well best not stir up that pot but I am certainly looking forward to climbing over ‘Tales Of The Black Mountain’ when it arrives next year.
Pete Woods
http://www.metalteamuk.net/
As Homelands Burn review from Lennard Kamischke-Valhalla Promotions
BAND NAME: Siluria
ALBUM TITLE: As Homelands Burn
INFORMATION: E.P. - Wales / United Kingdom - 2011
LABEL: Darkened Empire
WEBSITE: www.siluria.weebly.com
REVIEW BY: Lennard
SCORE: 96 / 100
For my last review in 2011 I chose the the new EP "As Homelands Burn" by the Welsh band Siluria. Siluria was founded in late 2005 in the depths of darkest Wales. Today, after several line-up changes that included members of Annwn, Siluria consists of its two founding members Steve 'Taran' Thomas and John 'Nevern' Courage.
Along with Annwn, Siluria are one of the few Folk/Pagan Metal bands from Wales. They play a unique dark midtempo style of Pagan Metal with some Folk elements and influences of Doom Metal, which is different from anything else you have heard. After 6 years Siluria finally released their début EP 'As Homelands Burn' via the newly-established label Darkened Empire. It was released digitally on October 31 and the limited physical copies were available from November 15.
The EP contains four songs which were written a couple of years ago. There is a dark atmosphere throughout the whole EP and also the cover artwork represents this very well.
But let us get down to the music itself.
The first track of "As Homelands Burn" is one of the band's oldest songs and it is called "Sleeping Giant". It starts with an excellent riff and a short guitar solo, getting more epic after a little while when the keyboard sets in. The keyboards on this EP are used decently, only when needed and thus they always fit the music perfectly. In fact that is an important point as to the EP: Everything goes well together. The bass sticks out at some parts, though this is not a bad thing. After that the harsh vocals set in, taking turns with chants at the refrain. The lyrics tell the story of Cribarth, a mountain located in the upper Swansea valley in south Wales. When viewed from the valley floor it looks like a sleeping giant that will rise one day.
The next song "Offering of Gold" is completely differnt. No drums are used here. Instead Siluria make use of acoustic and soft electric guitars, this time there is no powerful riffing as in the other songs. Clean and harsh vocals are used at the same time, which creates a brilliant ambience.
That beautiful song is followed by "The Gates of Annwn", previously known as "Hounds of Arawn". After a nice bass solo the powerful riffing sets in again, paired with some wonderful lead guitar melodies and harsh vocals. The shouts used in the refrain sound like long forgotten screams from the past... There is also a sproken part in "The Gates of Annwn", a Middle Welsh excerpt from the Book of Taliesin from the 9th century. It is called "Preiddeu Annwn" which translates to "The Spoils of Annwn". The last song is the title track "As Homelands Burn". This is probably the most Doom Metal influenced song on this release. It starts with a flute tune, later accomplished by deep drums and acoustic guitars. Then the song turns more into Metal, with slow electric guitars and drumming and mournful clean vocals. At some points this song reminds me slightly of Primordial. Harsh vocals are used later too, which are poorly produced (on purpose I assume). As a result, the harsh vocals sound even more desolate. "As Homelands Burn" is a message of how important it is to maintain heritage and culture.
For me, this EP is a highlight of 2011. It comes close to perfection regarding the lyrics and the compositions. In my opinion, the only thing that they could have done better is the drum production.
To buy or not to buy - The question answers itself.
The 100 limited hand-numbered copies are sold out now. The CD will be available in January again. Meanwhile you can still buy it as a digital download. I strongly advise you to grap yourself a copy as soon as possible and support this brilliant and talented band!
Lennard Kamischke (Wulfheard Þorsteinsson)
This disc turned up with a note reminding me that I had reviewed the band when they played the Unicorn three years ago in support to Waylander. Indeed I had and I went in search of more info remembering I had fairly liked the tribe from Carmarthen who had also on the night shared band members with other support group Annwn. That was the last I had heard from them and one can only wonder what they have been up to since then and why it has taken so long to release this, their debut four track CD?
Playing this the first time, another thing that I was struck with was the familiarity of opening track ‘Sleeping Giant.’ Did they play it that night and has it been sleeping ever since? Well if so it’s a formidable song to have been so memorable and with its call to arms, gung-ho chorus compelling us to “rise, rise” it only takes one brief listen to be firmly entrenched on your memory. This is a pagan anthem from this somewhat folk etched pagan metal band and it really stands proudly up on the disc. Other songs are not quite so in the face in fact ‘Offering Of Gold’ is a complete contrast with a sombre maudlin melody, slow acoustic pace and clean harmonious vocals installing a sense of loss about it. Again things change as the vocals rasp angrily into ‘The Gates Of Annwn.’ There is a fair bit of versatility and these four tracks show that the group have plenty of ideas that will no doubt spill over into an album that is destined to follow this next year. The guitar harmonics and the spoken Welsh parts on this particular track gives it a firm identity. Finally we have the title track with a really evocative and haunting keyboard intro and atmospheric distant booms. This progresses into traditional sounding guitar leads and another song with a strong sense of melody and vocal interplay.
All in all there is plenty to like here if you like your metal pagan with a sense of history about it. Could we actually have an example of true Welsh heritage metal here? Well best not stir up that pot but I am certainly looking forward to climbing over ‘Tales Of The Black Mountain’ when it arrives next year.
Pete Woods
http://www.metalteamuk.net/
As Homelands Burn review from Lennard Kamischke-Valhalla Promotions
BAND NAME: Siluria
ALBUM TITLE: As Homelands Burn
INFORMATION: E.P. - Wales / United Kingdom - 2011
LABEL: Darkened Empire
WEBSITE: www.siluria.weebly.com
REVIEW BY: Lennard
SCORE: 96 / 100
For my last review in 2011 I chose the the new EP "As Homelands Burn" by the Welsh band Siluria. Siluria was founded in late 2005 in the depths of darkest Wales. Today, after several line-up changes that included members of Annwn, Siluria consists of its two founding members Steve 'Taran' Thomas and John 'Nevern' Courage.
Along with Annwn, Siluria are one of the few Folk/Pagan Metal bands from Wales. They play a unique dark midtempo style of Pagan Metal with some Folk elements and influences of Doom Metal, which is different from anything else you have heard. After 6 years Siluria finally released their début EP 'As Homelands Burn' via the newly-established label Darkened Empire. It was released digitally on October 31 and the limited physical copies were available from November 15.
The EP contains four songs which were written a couple of years ago. There is a dark atmosphere throughout the whole EP and also the cover artwork represents this very well.
But let us get down to the music itself.
The first track of "As Homelands Burn" is one of the band's oldest songs and it is called "Sleeping Giant". It starts with an excellent riff and a short guitar solo, getting more epic after a little while when the keyboard sets in. The keyboards on this EP are used decently, only when needed and thus they always fit the music perfectly. In fact that is an important point as to the EP: Everything goes well together. The bass sticks out at some parts, though this is not a bad thing. After that the harsh vocals set in, taking turns with chants at the refrain. The lyrics tell the story of Cribarth, a mountain located in the upper Swansea valley in south Wales. When viewed from the valley floor it looks like a sleeping giant that will rise one day.
The next song "Offering of Gold" is completely differnt. No drums are used here. Instead Siluria make use of acoustic and soft electric guitars, this time there is no powerful riffing as in the other songs. Clean and harsh vocals are used at the same time, which creates a brilliant ambience.
That beautiful song is followed by "The Gates of Annwn", previously known as "Hounds of Arawn". After a nice bass solo the powerful riffing sets in again, paired with some wonderful lead guitar melodies and harsh vocals. The shouts used in the refrain sound like long forgotten screams from the past... There is also a sproken part in "The Gates of Annwn", a Middle Welsh excerpt from the Book of Taliesin from the 9th century. It is called "Preiddeu Annwn" which translates to "The Spoils of Annwn". The last song is the title track "As Homelands Burn". This is probably the most Doom Metal influenced song on this release. It starts with a flute tune, later accomplished by deep drums and acoustic guitars. Then the song turns more into Metal, with slow electric guitars and drumming and mournful clean vocals. At some points this song reminds me slightly of Primordial. Harsh vocals are used later too, which are poorly produced (on purpose I assume). As a result, the harsh vocals sound even more desolate. "As Homelands Burn" is a message of how important it is to maintain heritage and culture.
For me, this EP is a highlight of 2011. It comes close to perfection regarding the lyrics and the compositions. In my opinion, the only thing that they could have done better is the drum production.
To buy or not to buy - The question answers itself.
The 100 limited hand-numbered copies are sold out now. The CD will be available in January again. Meanwhile you can still buy it as a digital download. I strongly advise you to grap yourself a copy as soon as possible and support this brilliant and talented band!
Lennard Kamischke (Wulfheard Þorsteinsson)
_