Dun Ringill – 150-Where the Old Gods Play Act 1
Release Date: 4th August 2023
Label: The Sign Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Doom Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal.
FFO: Merciful Fate, King Diamond, Cathedral, Khemmis.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
Dun Ringill is an intriguing band, blending Prog, old-school Doom, and Folk metal to create a refreshing sound, especially when you realize that they come from Gothenburg; the historical capital of Melo-Death. Initially, I was hesitant about this unusual mix when I read the promo, but my curiosity beat me, nonetheless. 150 Where the Old Gods Play Act 1 is part of a double album, which makes it challenging to provide a complete assessment of its quality since half of the product is yet to be released. I encountered a similar issue with this year’s Bell Witch release. A concept that requires several albums to fully unfold is always a risky endeavor. However, what we’re all eager to find out is whether this ambitious undertaking is on the right track or not.
This album is fun and well-paced, offering a welcome respite from the overly serious and showboating metal that dominates the scene. Though their concept might appear pretentious, the music is direct and avoids excessive filler. The album has a strong retro element reminiscent of bands like Merciful Fate or Cathedral, capturing the essence of no-nonsense Heavy and Doom metal. The Folk elements are well-used, adding a subtle touch at the beginning or end of many tracks. Furthermore, the use of Nordic folk melodies is tastefully done, avoiding the clichéd trope of metal songs merely featuring a bagpipe or violin screaming in the chorus.
The guitar solos on this album are outstanding, standing out in almost every track (The Parrish, The Devil Wears a Papa Tiara, Baptised in Fire). Unlike many metal solos that seem to exist solely to impress guitar nerds, these solos genuinely enhance the album’s themes and overall song writing. Additionally, all the instruments on the album boast a top-notch tone for the style. Though the album can be loud, the song structures offer enough variety to prevent it from becoming jarring.
Despite the positive aspects, there are a few setbacks to address. The clean vocals might be divisive; they bear a resemblance to King Diamond’s style. While catchy, I found it challenging to adjust to the vocals in the track Awakening, for example. Thankfully, they don’t appear in the album too often. Furthermore, some tracks feature speaking sections or sound samples that may give the album a less serious and almost goofy vibe (Rhapsody of Fire, I’m looking at you – it’s all your fault!). Lastly, while the songs are lengthy, it doesn’t necessarily make them Prog. Nevertheless, these tracks are engaging, and I never found myself getting bored.
In summary, if you’re looking for Doom metal that captures an old-school essence while incorporating elements from different subgenres, Dun Ringill has crafted something cool for you here. The whole concept’s ultimate shape remains uncertain until Act II is released, but the band seems to be off to a promising start.
(3.5 / 5)
