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After a couple of demos, the U.K.'s Ildra have released their debut album, Edelland, via Sonnenrune Records. Pagan Metal of the Blackened variety is what to expect, but what might be a bit surprising is how good Edelland is, considering it is a debut. Ildra mix melodic Black Metal, featuring typical raspy vocals and buzzing guitars, with folk instruments such as acoustic guitars, lutes, bells and bodhrans. Edelland's song titles (and, presumably their lyrics) are in old English (or possibly Gaelic, I'm no linguist), and that, along with some medieval sounding melodies and sound effects, makes you feel as though you are strolling through the villages of pre-Renaissance England. The Black Metal is quite powerful and Ildra eschews double-kicks in favor of mid-paced tempos. If there is a fault, it is that some of the melodies, both acoustic as well as electric, tend to sound similar, so that by the end of the album, it feels a bit repetitive. Even so, the songs are well played when music in a language the listener does not understand still evokes images of past, faraway lands, the band is doing something right.

Overall, excellent Pagan Metal with a huge shot of authenticity. Ildra is obviously dedicated to making music a particular way and Edelland is solid evidence of a band that cares a great deal about its sound.