Seems like I am no less than the 5th writer at this site to cover a Runespell release. The Australian one-man act helmed by Nightwolf certainly seems prolific, having notched up no less than 4 albums since 2017 as well as a split with Forest Mysticism. This time around it is an EP with four tracks but rest assured there’s plenty of substance here with the first two numbers each being over 10-minutes in length. I found myself pretty much hooked on the first listen as well. This is not grim and gritty black metal but upbeat and jubilant stuff with a real grandiose, sweeping clamour to it. Who says this sort of music has to be miserable?

‘Claws Of Vanagandr’ (and that’s Fenrir by any other name) eases us in atmospherically and builds to a mid-paced glorification to the wolf of Norse mythology. Vocals howl a bit in the background and the percussion bounces around to the thrust of the melodic guitar weaving, getting faster all the time. There’s a definite Scandinavian flavour to it and this is an ode that would certainly appeal to fans of the more epic flavours of Bathory. Digging in with grit and determination it furrows away without overstaying its welcome, although somewhat indulgent in length, it’s quite captivating. There’s a trembling and dangerous bridge of ambient wind tunnel effects to clamber across between tracks here and that works well as it means it’s all a continuous journey and makes the dramatic flair of next number, the fist-pumping ‘Memories Of Steel’ all the more effective. This is a nostalgic feast with some choral backing chants amidst the harsher growls that feels like an olden tribute to the gods. The guitars give it a chunky and dense rhythm and bursts of bruising power are full of swaggering vim and vigour.

Slightly shorter but no less dramatic and indeed a faster barrelling and windswept affair, the title track has plenty of drive about it and induces a fist-pumping feel of victory and bravado. As far as the “time” of the title is concerned this sweeps one back to the 2nd wave of BM admirably and the passion behind it really gleams through before the final short acoustic instrumental piece ‘A Drakkar’s Last Journey’ wraps things up and leaves you feeling dreamy and more than a little satisfied of this effective trip back to heroic olden worlds.

(8/10 Pete Woods)

https://runespell.bandcamp.com/album/sentinels-of-time