Year: 2019
Total Time: 60:19
Label: Nuclear Blast

Today we have for you a little bit of pagan/folk death metal and I intend to take you with me to Zurich, Switzerland, where when we think about the country and the city, instantly our mind goes to CELTIC FROST and HELLHAMMER. However, today we are writing about ELUVEITIE and their latest album, “Ategnatos”. Let’s dive into it…

Within the band’s 18 years of existence since 2002, they have offered us endless metal and more “dancing” moments, through their 7 albums, many singles and just one EP and one demo. “Ategnatos” is their 8th album, in which many are saying that the band is going back to their roots. The truth is that this is partially true, though they never really left them so to speak. There have always been the ethereal female vocals, the flutes, the bagpipes, the hurdy gurdy and other weird or more common instruments. The case in this album, is that in a way, they’re back to more folk-ish themes and melodies, without implying that they became “softer” in their music. Since we mentioned the female vocals earlier, let’s just say here, that since 2017, they have a new female singer whose voice is like a fairytale to say the least. I don’t know how else to describe it.

As you will listen for yourselves, this album is, once again, full of tunes that can very easily (at least for myself) make me travel through elven forests, icy mountains that have witnessed endless ancient battles and enchanting dragons flying to the skies. But before you say that you have already listened to such bands, let me tell you, that ELUVEITIE is not just another one of that kind. To top it all, they throw in some razor sharp riffs with downbeats and some blast beats and the recipe is ready. I already told you, they have the whole package!

I will have to go now, so you can listen to it in peace, though those who enjoy this kind of music will probably have listened to it already. Those of you who didn’t have the opportunity yet, please allow me to make a suggestion. Of course you have to listen to their whole discography, but focus a bit more on the “Helvetios” album in 2012 until their very last one, as, in my opinion, this is the era that the band took the form that is the closest to what we know as ELUVEITIE today. Have a good time checking them out!

Rating: 8/10
Name: Nick Samios
Related Link: ELUVEITIE – Official Page