Romuvos – Spirits
Romuvos – Spirits
Hammerheart Records
Release Date: 09/02/24
Running Time: 41:48
Review by Oli Gonzalez
9/10
Now for something completely different. Let me tell you straight, this wasn’t merely an album for review. This was a journey and an experience I’ll want to go back to again and again! Romovus have stumbled upon something special here with their latest release “Spirits”!
As we’ve seen TV series such as Vikings and Last Kingdom hit our TV screens, it seems as though there’s a growing fascination and yearning to learn more of those ancient cultures and their ways of life. Which may be why we’ve seen the likes of Wardruna and Heilung going on to become phenomenally successful acts by focusing their sound heavily on the more traditional musical elements from these cultures, in conjunction with some good old heavy metal. This creates a package that satiates this desire for those who wish to learn more of these traditional ways and satisfies that need for metal. Which is why we’ve likely seen the rise of Romuvos too, though their sound and lyrical focus is more on those of the Baltic countries and their traditions. I find it intriguing that the band began almost 10 years ago, simply as a one person project, before others bought into this vision and a full band was established. As a history geek and music lover, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one!
The album begins rather slowly with ‘Snake Dance’. Here the mood is ominous, the atmosphere calm, the pace slow and sludgey. The emergence of traditional chanted vocals and folk instruments is impossible to ignore. I get a feeling we’re building towards something much larger, and it’s going to be spectacular. I can sense the tension and anticipation building. This slow build rolls over into the early passages of ‘Sun And Morning Star’, in which Romuvos slowly increase the intensity and attack on your senses with the bass and guitars locking in to provide a delightful wall of modern metal sound. I had always been drawn to the early work of Faroese metal act Tyr for their wonderful passages sung in their native language, creating almost a religious hymn-like vibe. Different language here, but I get the exact same wonderful vibe and chance to relieve this experience here. The tension is still building and the best is coming. The next track, ‘World Tree’. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling listening to this, thinking I’ve just uncovered a gem! This is like pure ecstasy for those who love something with a solid groove, infectious and instantly memorable vocal lines, and scorching guitar leads! I was instantly drawn to what seemed like a Gregorian chant style of vocal being the melodic foundation for this number. I certainly give this multiple listens. Will the next one top it?
Whereas the rest of the album tracks started in a more calm fashion and slowly progressed, ‘Become as One’ wastes no time and instantly smashes your senses with some heavy ass riffs! Nothing fancy, just good old fashioned Doom laden grooves that would have tone fanatics salivating at the chops. These simple yet devastatingly effective riffs dominate the song, creating an aural frenzy when combined with the traditional pipe instruments towards the latter stages of the song.
You can easily have too much of a good thing, and Romuvos smartly decide to slow the pace of the album down right here, with a much slower and calmer number here in ‘Garden Of The Sun’. Sung in their native language and incorporating traditional instruments seldom heard in the metal genre, there’s a significantly more ambient vibe that provides much welcome respite at this stage. This speaks to very intelligent compositional skills and understanding of human psychology, especially with pacing an album.
If this was ambient and calm, ‘Spirit Of The Oak’ is austere and downright spine chilling. This intro could be used for horror movies because of its ability to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand! The more I listen to it, the more I can feel my beard growing and a need to grab my battle axe and helmet! Maybe I’m being hyperbolic… Or am I? In either case, the constant thundering of the drums and ominous battle cries are a total testosterone sandwich and treat for the senses.
I despair as we’re coming to the end, with only two songs left. I don’t want this ride to end. The ride isn’t slowing down though, and we’re plunged further into a musical journey that conjures up the most primitive of human emotions. I really haven’t mentioned the guitars yet; they deserve some serious recognition. If you only have time for one song, check this one out as there’s some absolutely scorching riffs soaring above the mix and ensuring a solid dopamine hit! There’s still time for one more dopamine hit, and that comes in the form ‘Crescent Moon’. A much more atmospheric number, there’s some delightful soundscapes lurking in the background that are an aesthetic joy. It feels almost like a departure song and allows us to slowly come down and back to reality after this experience.
And that’s it. That’s “Spirits”. A journey to a world of yore, an auditory experience like no other, and one you’ll repeatedly want to return to. My mind is blown at this stage. I’m in awe. It’s as succinct as that. I’m not sure what else to write. Listen to the album on 9th February. You won’t regret it.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Snake Dance
02. Sun And The Morning Star
03. World Tree
04. Become As One
05. Garden of The Sun
06. Spirits Of the Oak
07. Fire
08. Crescent Moon
LINE-UP:
Velnias – Vocals, percussion, keys
Morax – Drums
Monarch – Guitars
Blackbard – Guitars
Alonas – Bass
LINKS:
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