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This is so like an album that would have been on Oakenshield like 7 years ago, when Oakenshield/Adipocere still existed. Herne are a UK band who play a very moody, melodic, almost soothing style of Pagan Metal. The basis of this sound is obviously BM, but the sound is very relaxed and atmospheric aside from the gargly vocals.

I actually like this quite well. It reminds me of Berserk's From the Celtiberian Woods in a lot of ways, including the hooky riffs and the rough, bargain-bin production job. It has a loose, rough-hewn feel to it which makes it sound like it could actually have been played around a campfire by a bunch of dudes in leather shirts. The lyrics have a definite old Saxon feel to them, with the deep pagan mysticism and the themes of sacred kingship and ritual. Not like some so-called "pagan" bands who essentially use folk instruments to scream about Satan. This is the kind of Pagan music I like – the kind that totally ignores Xtianity in favor of old gods and forgotten corners of the Earth.

This is not pro, slick, technical, or fast, but it has an atmosphere and a feel I really love, and so I am willing to overlook a lot of flaws. This isn't original, the songs aren't first-rate, yadda yadda. This is cool, and it is so awesome to have a Pagan Metal album that isn't either hyperactive or an excuse for hippies to play fast (like those posers in Korpiklaani). Moody, effective, and atmospheric Pagan Metal that I recommend heartily.