Long have the many mythologies and ancient cultures of Europe been swirling together for anyone from anywhere in the world to pick something out of whether it be something beyond familiar or fascinatingly new. When it comes to how it’s all brought to life in the realms of folk metal, it’s easy to say that the style is tackling the millennia of tales bit by bit, album by album. Yet, not often enough do we come across a band that manages to really accomplish an infusion of magic into their particular craft to offer us a sound that’s doesn’t only channel the original spirits of those tales but do them enough justice in the form of folk metal that can really captivate any listener. With their second self-made album, it’s Barad Guldur that presents to us an effort that’s beyond worthy of such notice.

Whether or not the tales that are to be found within Barad Guldur’s latest, “Vishapner”, are derived specifically from one tale or another I am not the person qualified enough to tell you with the very essence of this record feeling as though it was pulled from the fringes of Viking lore with an eastern European twist that adds real magic into the mix. Regardless of that lapse in my knowledge, however, the very ideas and tones to be found throughout this concept album are executed with fascinating quality and a true understanding of what it means to make folk metal that isn’t such some loud music with various themes of folk tales and such. Rather, the very whole of “Vishapner” is a dense, authentic experience of the style that is all but effortless to lose yourself in as Barad Guldur weaves gorgeous magic throughout the creation that becomes downright enrapturing as the epic tale moves forward from one track to the next. Dealing with themes of draconic spirits showing humanity that for a second birth something before it must fall, there isn’t a single ounce of all that transpires within the 49 minutes of “Vishapner” that could possibly leave one wanting more out of the mystical realms of folk metal that Barad Guldur steeps themselves in for this record to come to life as beautifully as it has. From the shamanic songwriting to the gorgeous use of folk instrumentation to the very atmospheres of the record, how else could one fall into this record and not become enamored by all that’s to be heard?

This is a particular performance of the style that I feel we could always use more of. From its flavorful usage of folk instruments to the very themes that are at play for the whole of “Vishapner”, it’s a marvel to realize that this is but the second effort from Barad Guldur for I truly wonder what else the ten people behind this act can create given the gift of time in order to really hone their craft into something spectacular. No matter what, though, it’s the very whole of “Vishapner” that they should be proud of with its confines all but enchanting for any listener willing to get lost in its glowing woods at the edge of the world.

LISTEN to “Vishapner” via YouTube here.

LIKE Barad Guldur on Facebook here.