Yet another episode in the Metal Message series, representing the nowadays Pagan black metal scene with the contribution of some thirteen acts. This time again, lotsa attention is going to both presentation (famous names as Jean-Pascal Fournier and our land-mate legend Kris Verwimp are in charge of the art-work) and musical quality. As said, Metal Message is entirely geared towards Pagan metal with a focus on folk and Viking genres. The musical level vary from good to very good and «Metal Message Vol. IV» can without any doubt be regarded as a mandatory purchase if you consider yourself a aficionados of the genre. The average level is thus more than simply interesting but amongst the participating acts the ones that for one reason or another stand (for my opinion) out on the compilation are: the Norwegian Gjenferdsel (on Ketzer), Tharaphita (their original and catchy folk orientated Pagan metal catapulted me back more than ten years ago when we reviewed the band’s first demo works), Galar (with a track from their fantastic debut «Skogskvad» see our cd reviews section), the Swedish Irminsul (now on Det Germanske Folket), Alkonost (with a very long and yet ultra entertaining composition, surely one of the best band emerging from the Russian territories for ages), the strange Irish Sirocco (with their ethereal piece of work). No need to argue about the qualities of first class bands such as Theuddo and Slechtvalk (already quite famous in our northern countries), Skyforger or Folkearth (the most interesting project of the whole Pagan Folk scene, just try to find their works on the Russian Stygian Crypt). Other participating bands are Slartibartfass, Oakenshield and Forefather. Now gauging the overall level of the participating acts, this compilation is simply a must have for every open minded metal listener. Georges

http://www.metalmessage.de