No matter what we do and no matter what scenario we find ourselves in, the lingering touch of the old world is something that simply cannot be ignored for any number of reasons. There’s just something about that ancient magic which checks out in damn near every form with there always being plenty of names coming around to show us what they can bring to the table, yet painfully few are able to deliver on a scale that feels satisfying as the sound in question is given justice. It was with their debut effort that Pagansarv did a solid job at delivering old school pagan glory, and it’s with the follow-up four years later that this Estonian act clearly has not lost one bit of their edge.

There’s always been the old expression that “if something isn’t broken then don’t try to fix it”, and that has always been something that has applied greatly to metal music! Ever is there a time and a place for innovation and exploration into the unknown, but there’s just nothing that can compare to a well thought out creation that knows precisely what it’s doing from the get-go and leaves nothing to chance as the act in question crafts their effort with an extremely delicate and deft hand that leaves no stone unturned. Throughout the eight tracks of “Pööriööl”, it’s clear that Pagansarv sought to channel a druidic flame whose touch is as capable of destruction as it is renewal amidst its vast capacity and intense yearning to do the old school justice. Far more than capable of the black metal speed and fury that one would consider “typical”, it’s through the druidic rhythms and winding songwriting that quickly enables “Pööriööl” to take on a life of its own that inhales and exhales, screams in euphoria and despair, and is able to elicit so many different emotion for all that it can bring to the table. Many times have we seen acts like Pagansarv step up to the plate to see what they can offer, yet Pagansarv is already standing out as a name whose consistency may not be something that we can question.

“Pööriööl” has much to call its own, and incompetency is simply not among them. I have no doubt that Pagansarv still has a long way to go in its own personal journey in trying to ensure that the ancient world is given the strength, menace, and opportunity to stand tall in this modern world that would seek to suffocate the old ways. Such things cannot be tamped down for too long with acts like Pagansarv always making damn sure that the old realms are given a voice even if it’s brought about through only the most brutal and unforgiving means.

LISTEN to “Pööriööl” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Pagansarv on Facebook here.

FOLLOW Pagansarv on Instagram here.