Album Review: Aether Realm – Redneck Vikings From Hell
Reviewed by Neil Bolton
The press pack for North Carolina’s Aether Realm suggests you should not be swayed by the album title 'Redneck Vikings From Hell' is no joke. Strange statement that as I never assumed I would be. It also suggests this is an obstacle the band have encountered in the past.
Track one, the title track immediately suggests why this may be the case. Scottish heroes Alestorm instantly spring to mind. Now in no way am I surmising that Alestorm are a joke band, but they are an act who use humour in their music and live performances very well. On this track Aether Realm have a very similar sound. By the time track two kicks in you understand Aether Realm have more sounds in their locker. We now have a sing along melodic tune, even romantic tune, accompanied with Death Metal vocals. A sound that you may associate traditionally with more European bands. Not a style I would normally go for, but I find myself singing along to the chorus by the end of the song.
'Lean Into The Wind' begins and Children Of Bodom now leap to mind. Faster, more aggressive, foot tapping and well polished. I am enjoying this, I am also intrigued to learn what style the next song will be. 'Hunger' begins with sound I can only akin to power metal. A fast sing along once again. Melancholic keyboards introduce 'Guardian' and it looks like we have the ballad of the album. A massive vocal style change, but one that is carried off very well. Lighters out!
We speed up back to power metal once more, again mixing vocal styles in one song in 'One Hollow Word' with a hint of a breakdown too. The mix of sounds of textures carry through the rest of the album, and not one of them stand out as a joke or badly performed. Each member of this band can hold their own in the roles they carry out on this album. The album closer acoustically begins leading onto a mix of guitar styles expertly shredded before keyboards take over. Guitars and drums join, making the listener smile with content and happiness. The instrumental track 'Craft And The Creator' is tasked with being the final epic song, a mission it carries out with 100% accuracy.
This album should be enjoyed by any metal fan. It includes many styles, but all sound like one band. A difficult task, but one that Aether Realm have achieved.
'Redneck Vikings From Hell' is released May 1st on Napalm Records.
