Finally, the long – awaited debut full length album of VENDEL is ready to land ‘’Out In The Fields’’ of the battle, on June 14, 2024 by Dying Victim Productions.
The band that hails us from Russia has showed its intensions with 2 EP’s (‘’Vendel ‘’ – ‘’Birge’’) in 2017 and 2019 and has made a significant noise around their name, through the underground circles and especially the fans of epic heavy metal.
But first things first, I have to comment on the excellent epic artwork of the cover. You can never judge a book from its cover, but many times rules have their exceptions and sometimes a great artwork in the front cover is succeeded by great music as well. Of course someone may mention, that the artwork reminds of the artworks from the albums of the well know epic heavy / doom band ‘’DOOMSWORD’’ and will not be mistaken.
The album starts with a powerful instrumental epic doomy ‘’Intro’’ that makes a great prologue for what is to follow. ‘’Defender’’ is the first song that comes next in the album. This song had been presented for the first time in the 2017 EP and is a very indicative of how the album sounds. It has a great heavy galloping – marching battle rhythm, anthemic vocal chorus with thundering bass from Lasha Khabalov and massive drumming by Sergey Skorodumov .
‘’Never Surrender’’ strikes next, starting with an amazing guitar solo and as you can imagine, from now on there is no way of pulling back. In the fields of battle surrender is not option. ‘’Not a single step back’’ by the band, which delivers another epic heavy doom anthem. The voice of Alexey Goryachev is very strong and fits excellent with the style of music the band is playing.
‘’Dirge’’ is another song that had been presented in the past, in the 2019 EP. Like the previous song the duration is more than 7 minutes but that’s not a problem at all. On the contrary. It helps the song develop gradually and unfold dynamically the songwriting and the storytelling. CANDLEMASS and MANILLA ROAD fans will observe the influences from those bands and will highly appreciate it.
‘’Vengeance’’ is the next song that is sounding the horn with a BATHORY viking-era feeling and sound. It brings in mind the masterpieces of ‘’Hammerheart’’ or ‘’ Twilight Of the Gods’’, the well known classic epic albums by late Quorthon but given with raw aggressiveness and doom aesthetic that reminds of DOOMSWORD.
The album title song ‘’Out In The Fields’’ is ten-minute epic song that reveals another tale of heroism and death in the battlefield. Fans who are fond of bands like SOLITUDE AETURNUS, SOLSTICE (UK) or ATLANTEAN CODEX fans can find all the great moments from the aforementioned bands as well.
Sergey Kargalskiy and David Kazaryan have accomplished amazingly in Lead Guitar and Rhythm Guitar accordingly. The sound of the album is heavy and huge with a massive production and great epic atmosphere.
VENDEL have forged their swords, grabbed their shields and they are attacking ominously and fiercely in the battlefield. The banners and flags of victory are ready for them.
This album is not to be missed by any metal fan, but especially from the fans of epic heavy / doom metal, who are going to love it.
Hail VENDEL.
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