Metal Underground.com

Since the early '90s, pagan metal bands have evolved from black metal artists merely incorporating medieval instruments and scales to metal symphonies that merge modern electrics with arcane wood instruments. Even through most of the bands in this field still use harsh vocals, many of the newer bands have chosen different metallic styles over black metal. Often, these groups refer to power metal for its melodies and glorious chorus lines. Varg’s “Guten Tag” adheres to this power metal formula.

Even if pagan groups cling to the darker side of their ancestor’s mythology, there has to be moments of celebration that exude a mead-swinging swagger. The problem with “Guten Tag” is it doesn’t really express either of those sentiments. The album is essentially a heavy metal album with a few bagpipe-type sounds thrown in. While the group doesn’t play the same worn out medieval scales of many bands in this field, the pagan vibe just isn’t there.

Tracks such as “Gedanke und Erinnerung” and “Angriff” show the band creating guitar harmonies of the Finnish pagan sort. “A Thousand Eyes” contains a rhythm with a medieval vibe, clean, ritual vocal hymns and acoustic guitar. This track is also the only song sung in English. Tempo changes keep this track and others moving smoothly. The album works in this way, but it seems to lack much of this song’s magic. As stated above, the album doesn’t present a strong pagan vibe, so them using German lyrics seems almost pointless. More clean vocals and English lyrics would make this album more memorable, especially considering their power metal style.

Varg has made its mark in America, regardless of German-based lyrics and lack of old world instrumentation. The group has interesting lupine-based imagery. The members don red-and-black war paint, similar to Turisas. Maybe they put on a great show, but “Guten Tag” doesn’t possess the sword-wielding power of many bands in this field.