SIEGFRIED
Nibelung
Napalm 2009

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Austria's symphonic epic metal heroes, Siegfried, return once again with the Nibelung saga and as expected it is a highly ambitious piece of work. Having tried their previous albums and not being all that impressed with them, I was a touch apprehensive before pressing play on their latest output although it has been what nearly 7 years since the band's last output. You would expect a marked improvement in playing abilities and sonics in general and there is little doubt that things have improved in leaps and bounds.

The music is professionally recorded with decent if rather pedestrian musicianship. Symphonic epic metal has to have a totally over the top feeling as far as I'm concerned. I am not quite sure if Siegfried are putting it all in so to speak. The music is multi-layered and lush even with copious amounts of male growls, angelic female voices and a deep male baritone as well but there just seems to be a spark lacking within the compositions on offer. There is plenty of ambition and a deep sense of flow and adventure at times but it's just not really memorable enough to capture the imagination I fear. Somehow the guitar sweeps sounds rather subdued with not enough dazzle and swing to take you on a journey.

Song after song passes by with similar epic themes but without that necessary aspect of memorability or a regular hook that sparks songs into life. I think the band would excel highly as fantasy films core writers but as metal song writers, I get the feeling of Championship quality as opposed to the Premiership if I can use a football analogy.

Having said that the band should be given credit for their ambition and the fact that they have improved a great deal since their previous effort all those years ago. If you like bands such as Hollenthon, Therion and the like then a listen to Siegfried is in order, just don't expect the world and you won't be so dissapointed.

© Pirage Forsi
Rating *** (3.0/5.0)

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