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This band is seriously fucking awesome. This is the second album from this never-heard-of-them Russian band from Tvar, and I absolutely HAVE to get more of their stuff, because this is just one of the greatest Folk Metal albums I have ever heard.

Like Skyforger? Then you will love Pagan Reign, as this is the same kind of folk music dragged through a Black Metal base. Vocals are almost entirely raspy, but rather sparse, and are not a vital part of the band's sound, what is vital is the riffs – the almighty, awesome riffs. If you are going to play Folk Metal, then you have to have a whole shitload of folk-fueled metal riffs, and Pagan Reign have plenty of them. Songs like "Wind To The Past", the awesome "Immortal Tribe", and the magnificent "Spilled Blood" just overflow with amazing riffs. Pagan Reign use keys, but they don't overpower the songs with them, they just use them for atmosphere. They break up the main songs with a scattering of instrumental tracks, some of which are just as metal as the other tunes ("Array"), and some of which are acoustic (The beautiful "Kupala").

All around this album just rules, and there isn't much more to say than that. Yes, it sounds a lot like Skyforger, but it is actually just as good, and that is saying something. I think Skyforger are awesome, so for me another band in that style that is just as awesome is great frigging news. Pagan Reign's discs can be hard to track down, but that seems to be getting better, and they are completely worth the effort. Highly Recommended.