Quorthon is back! Only this time the beast is marked under the flag of Taranis, a one man band under control of Björn Desmet. Last year Taranis released a demo and it didn’t take long before Iron Pegasus released Björn’s self-titled debut album.
The Bathory hints are as clear as plain day-light. Songs like the monumental “Father of the Storms” or the more epic “Lost Fatherland” are a true flashback to the early years of Black Metal. Even the harsh vocals sound typically you-know-who. Besides the more cutting straight forward songs there’s made some room for Venom styled rock and roll, as in “The Chain…”. “Taranis” re-animate the old feeling perfectly. The overall sound is truly “eighties” and stand-in drummer Henne Vanwijnsberghe (from Demonizer) slow polka beats cry for headbang action. Even the less tight played parts have their charms – As if it’s done on purpose.
Lyrically Björn got his inspiration from his native country’s history. One may forget the glorious past of Flanders! Taranis don’t bring anything new under the sun and thank God they don’t! Abbath’s “Between Two Worlds” failed to carry out the message Taranis do.
Children of the West, let’s hear your battle cry!
