Metal Maniac

 

Continuing our trip around the world, today we have a band from down under. Hailing from Wollongong, Troldhaugen was founded in the year 2008, first playing Folk Metal and then “switching” to Avant-garde/ Folk metal later. The band has released their début album, “Ramshackle”, in 2012 and now, in 2014, Troldhaugen returns with their sophomore album “Obzkure Anekdotez for Maniakal Massez”, which I’ll share my thoughts with you.

 

 

Fun, exciting, interesting, curious, different, wacky, weird, creative, entertaining, exotic! What else can I say? “Obzkure Anekdotez for Maniakal Massez” is a crazy “mess”, in a positive way, which chaotically works very well. I just love this weird, eccentric metal that few play well. Avant-garde Metal, Experimentation isn’t just throwing some different sounds here and there, not at all. “Obzkure Anekdotez for Maniakal Massez” is a lesson for the ones that would like to create something authentic. Of course, in the current state of music, there are bands that reminds us from one another, I’m not saying that they are completely similar, but rather, they only create remembrances. In Troldhaugen’s case I’d put Diablo Swing Orchestra, Unexpect and Finntroll in this list.

 

 

The music itself is incredibly hard to describe since Avant-garde Metal can cover so many genres and influeces and this is what happens with Troldhaugen. There’s Russian Folk, Celtic Music, Opera, Hard Rock, Metal, exciting choruses, accordion, awesome guitar work, outstanding vocals (several styles), fat bass guitar, a circus/ cabaret atmosphere, all blended in turning the album into a unique, dramatic and  thrilling experience. I have to admit that when I first read about the band, I hadn’t heard the début album yet, I was a bit skeptical, because, since I love this “insane metal” genre so much, I’ve heard some terrible bands and I was so pleased and ecstatic when I heard “Obzkure Anekdotez for Maniakal” since it gave me hope for this music style with its great quality and allure.

 

 

When it comes to the album production, nothing to complain at all, very clean and polished, as it’s needed in order to enjoy this metal genre and all its nuances. So, I close my thoughts by begging you to give this band a try, if you enjoy the genre, but hey, even if you don’t, might be amazed by their energy… and, liking their music, do what’s possible for you, please, to support them. Whatever you are able to, what’s possible for you, at least I don’t ask for more than that and never will. Doing “nothing” is the only thing I urge you to avoid.

 

 

Have a good day.

 

Grade: 9,8/10

 

Band: Troldhaugen

 

Album: Obzkure Anekdotez for Maniakal Massez (2014)

 

Label: The Bird’s Robe Collective

 

Tracklist:

 

1. Table of Contents

2. Hunting Tactics for Mythical Creatures

3. The Good, The Bad and the Gristle

4. Buckle Up!

5. Lefty’s Wild Ride

6. The Rabiator Teuthida

7. Día del Chupacabra

8. Phantom Acrobats

9. Catoptric Contortions

10. Viva Loa Vegas

11. CLANG!

12. Cut to the Chase

13. Swamp Rocket (пуск зажигание)

 

Troldhaugen is:

 

Svarog – Bass

Grädenøk – Drums

Meldengar – Guitars

Reventüsk – Vocals, Guitars (acoustic), Jew’s harp

 

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Troldhaugen

 

Official Bandcamp: http://troldhaugen.bandcamp.com/

 

All photos belong to their rightful owners.

November 10, 2014