PanThere are definitely no false idols to be found on this album from pagan black Czech horde Panychida. On this their third album the group take us on quite an enthralling journey through 50 minutes worth of music that is tagged us being for fans of formidable bands such as Nokturnal Mortum, Taake and Falkenbach and there are many ideas running through it including themes of ancient death rituals and out of body experiences.

The heathen cleave instantly swaggers in with ‘Dance Of The Fiery Stars’ and I find myself name checking the likes of Kampfar and adding them to the above list too as this ploughs away with a bruising drum battery and gravid throaty vocals from death chanter Vlčák. There are some underlying choral harmonics backing these up which accentuate the Viking sounding assault and tinge with the epic feel of Bathory as guitars chop and weave around the main body of the track. It’s highly melodic and atmospheric with it all and an impressive start that catches attention straight away. It does not overstay its welcome and there are ten more feudal hymns left to snap away such as the burgeoning and somewhat jubilant ‘Two Untouched Moments.’ Vocals rise to a theatrical and commanding pitch and are strong enough to lead troops into battle spurred on by the meaty musicianship which is nice and thick in the mix. It’s fist slamming and stirring stuff that hardly stands still at all. There’s a slight Swedish feel about some of the underlying guitar riffs that herald back to the Gothenburg greats and even some folk etched progression to be found among it all, this is especially noted with the acoustic intro to ‘Krasatina (Grief For The Idol). As I said there’s quite a lot going on and this track really spreads its wings allowing clean vocals to march out and the harmonies really travel onwards as though one part of a quest has been fulfilled and the next is to be undertaken.

Every song has something different defining it and some bagpipes that remind of the likes of everyone from Corvus Corvax through To Arkona lead the chant into ‘Wayfarers Awakening.’ From the huge black metal might of the start of the album it has turned head to go in a much more accessible direction by now but that does not hamper my enjoyment of it at all. There is also a slight sense of strangeness about things such as a crying baby tail ending ‘Don’t Tell Lies To Children,’ mind you this romps away and is certainly no nursery rhyme. Even odder is the plainsong (word is much more fitting than barber shop quartet) sounding vocal babble to Doomsayer, it very much drops me into the Dark Ages hearing it. Reverting to their native tongue is a good move for a while too as it adds an air of intrigue and mystery to things and with a stirring trill of whistle and crash of thunder actually makes it all sound more authentic.

Not that they need any help in the vocal department what with all five members contributing but Helheim’s V’ganor is roped in too to provide lead rasps on Minnestund, naturally no faulting this and with the pipes making a welcome return again this track really has a bit of everything and makes you want to drink mead and wassail! The one slight negative point I have with things is the Czech narration leading into final track Perchta as it is too long and not helping is lack of understanding to it naturally. I am sure it is very important as far as narrative is concerned to the album but it breaks the flow especially to non-speakers. Aside from this small complaint and a moot one really Grief For An Idol delivers on all fronts and as far as Pagan Metal is concerned sits proudly with the gods!

(8/10 Pete Woods) 

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