W&D/ Garmenhord split cd review by damusic
What Georges thinks about us...
Garmenhord
was formed in 1998 and already released a demotape and a kind of mini album, this
« Langsch boschgheckweel ende tronckghecraeck » may thus be regarded
as the band’s first real cd. Our landmates deliver what you can describe
as first hour ice-cold black / folk metal. The use of old flemisch language increase
the folk linking of the concept but on the other side, it may work as a break
for the band’s international recognition. The opening song is a song that
is led by inspired acoustic playing through it. Gormenhord are inspired by acts
such as Mayhem, Burzum and other early 90's scandinavean pagan black metal bands.
The production isn’t that extraordinary but nothing unpleasant enough to
prevent you enjoying the abum. The guitar lacks of the needed originality and
I was expecting more variety in this department. Fortunately the vocal work is
really efficient. Garmenhord did a good piece of music which should stick in your
mind for longer than just for a while. The end of the last song is something completely
incomprehensible for me but I live in the south part of Belgium
What Vampire magazine thinks about us...
Garmenhord
is doing what I felt was coming; after several Norwegian and German bands already
released albums in their native tongue, Garmenhord comes out with it a grim old
school black metal album in their native tongue, which means in this specific
case the Flemmish language. These four Flemmish (robber) knights offer a fine
piece of 'Bathorian' old school black metal; fans of old Bathory, Darkthrone and
Immortal (yet not so much Burzum, in spite of what is said on their site) and
like more recently German Nachtfalke will most certainly appreciate this debut.
A paganist/medieval intro opens the album, with flutes and guitars. If you intend
to use an intro; do it this way, because it fits the concept and music very well!
The lyrics are like said in Flemmish and deal with local legends and folklore.
Musically there is little news, yet what separates these crazy robber knights
from others is the fun they display; no contest of who is the most evil looking
misanthrope. Now don’t expect a parody on old school black metal or some
version of Spinal Tap, it is just that these Belgians show us that there can also
be a more lighthearted side to black metal. Don’t expect darkness and cold
coming from the grooves/open wounds of the CD like for instance bands like Darkthrone,
Bathory and old Immortal do. Just a nice touch of old school black metal, with
occasionally folkloric aspects (the singing in track 3). Even the sound of swords
is used in track 4. Garmenhord will not
be the next sensation in Belgium black metal or beyond, yet it is nice to have
such a band within the low countries as well… This is a band that seems to
me is best seen live with a (Belgian of course) pint like Duvel or Grimbergen
in the one hand and one more in the other. Yet furthermore it is a renewing as
the sales yell “get three for the price of two”; who cares? I don’t!
What
nokturnal hall thinks about us...
Originality
is far to find in some metal bands, but now and then you get a nice surprise.
GARMENHORD is a Belgian band that brings Black Metal with Dutch lyrics. The band
was formed in 1998 and this is their first CD release. Each track deals with local
ancient legends, even written and pronounced in ancient Flemish! These guys don't
take themselves to serious, fun is always a priority! And with their sometimes
folk tunes, they'll bring a smile on your face. This release starts with a nice
intro that brings you right back to the middle ages, flutes, horns, all elements
included. But then the show begins and distorted guitars reach the surface. There
might have been a little bit more variety in the riffs, but it's clear the vocals
are the main instrument here. Then it's time for my favourite track of the album,
Al Onder Den Beevenden Haeselare. A catchy folk melody and a nice combination
of vocals by the guitarist and the singer. This songs really gets you moving and
will be playing in your head for quite a while! But listening to the rest of the
album I got a bit disappointed, black metal like we've heard before, just plain
basic riffs without breaks whatsoever. Langsch Boschgheckweel ende Tronckghecraeck
is no masterpiece, but if you're looking for Black Metal in an original way, this
might be your cup of tea. Sure the use of Flemish lyrics restricts their foreign
chances, but then again, you could've said the same about DIMMU BORGIR's Stormblast...
and look where they are now!
What
Vlaams Staal thinks...
Luisterd naar
minne wijschen woordschen en verspreid dezen onder den menschen : Deze vlaamse
band gaat het maken ! Zeg nu eerlijk, hoe kan het misgaan met een combinatie als
metal , den ouden vlaemschen talen en veel leute voor de meute ? Niets toch !
Nu, laten we het even over de cd hebben... De muziek is zoals ze wel eens zeggen
verdomd lekker stuksken metaal. strakke riffkens, een vree goeie zanger en middeleeuwschen
invloeden, het enigste minpunt aan de cd is misschien de productie, deze had iets
beter mogen zijn, maar voor de rest heb ik er niets op aan te merken op deze band.
Ik zou zeggen, koop en beluister dezen ceedee , en als ge op den laatsten track
zit, maak uw lachspieren dan al maar los ! Mijn laatste oordeel : Verhef dezen
band/ceedee in den adelstand !
What
Nonkel Xavier thinks...
This slice
of Flemish metal culture opens with an atmospheric instrumental, but soon breaks
loose in good traditional, raw pagan/black metal. The third folksy, song "Al
onder den Bevenden Haeselaere" simply begs the listener to scream along and
is -in my not so humble estimation- one of the best songs that this genre has
produced in a long time. The simple, cold infectious riffs with that typical harsh
sound are somewhat reminiscent of a band such as "Grom", the heavy pounding
drums sounds a bit like "Infernum", but it's the chilling screaming
of vocalist Vraeck that mostly dwells in the foreground. If you're looking for
fancy Playmobile metal, you might as well let this one pass you by, but if you
are into solid, pure "old school" black/pagan metal, this is definitely
right up your alley!
What Lugburz
thinks...
Last year we hadn't receive
many messages from the camp of the Evil Horde of Garm: GARMENHORD. But this didn't
mean these warriors have been resting, 'cause they strike with a new superior
CDemo entitled "Langsch Boschgheckweel ende Tronckghecraeck". A big
suprise for me when listening a first time 'cause this sounds a bit different
to their first attack. The production is a lot better (recorded in a studio this
time instead of the rehearsalcave), lyrics in medieaval Flemish and some folk
elements were added. GARMENHORD still stands for raw pagan black, excellent black.
With highlight "Al onder den Beevenden Haeselaere": a sing-along folk
flemish song. "Slaat groot Alarm, vreest de Horde van Garm!"
What
Overdrive thinks...
Het idee, de uitwerking
en de algemene presentatie is sterk, zoniet héél sterk ! De intro
is eveneens een perfecte introductie voor diegenen die niet weten wie/wat de band
is. De Nederlandse teksten zijn een pluspunt, en het concept is goed doordacht.
Jullie zijn goed bezig, maar hebben nog een lange weg af te leggen, en zo is het
met 90 % van de bands die ik hier binnenkrijg... Ik hoop dat jullie wél
verder doen in de ingeslagen richting, want het is een origineel concept waar
nog heel wat potentie in zit. Nu en dan durft Ancient Rites eens wat Vlaamsche
Teksten te verwerken, maar het moet beslist beter kunnen, en ik denk dat jullie
op de juiste golflengte zitten. Een goeie tip : doe verder waarmee Garmenhord
nu bezig is, en bouw de nummers nog wat beter uit !
What
Mindview thinks...
Garmenhord komt
uit Waarschoot en speelt "heidens Meetjeslandtsch meetael'. Na hun demotape
brengen ze een soort van mini-cd op de ondergrondse markt. De vooruitgang is duidelijk
merkbaar en de repetities in café Pandoerken hebben de band geen windeieren
gelegd. Alle teksten zijn in t' Vlaamsch en dat zorgt voor hilarische titels als
"Al onder den beevenden haeselaere" (fijne Isengard imitatie!) en "Buyght
voor den tronck". De vier riddersch wisten een behoorlijk geluid te strikken
en de afsluitende outro is de kers op de vuile taart. Het commentaar bij die outro
mocht wel iets luider zodat we meer konden verstaan dan enkel "kijk kijk
boer Firmin es doare" en "ij goat bal in de fanfare raajne". Dit
is nu niet de nieuwe revelatie maar "Langsch..." is genietbaar. Een
frische pot gerstenat zou niet misstaan bij deze blinkende schijf vol heidense
liederen.