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TARANIS - FLANDRIAE
IRON PEGASUS RECORDS
METAL TO INFINITY
Taranis is the name of a Belgian based project stamped out of the 'Flemish' ground by Bjorn Desmet. Friendly individual, excellent musician and into the real Metal stuff since a very long time ago. He left his former band Demonizer to start up something unique - a so called one-man project. Bjorn definitely knows very well where he is busy with. We all have to admit that setting up a whole band by yourself ain't that simply shit at all! You've got to write, compose, playing all the instruments yourself - one hell of a hard labour kinda situation it is for sure but he ventured its chances and went on with full force. ''Flandriae'' is Taranis' third output so far - shame on me I never heard the first album called ''Taranis'' and second one (a split effort with Heinrichreich) before but some research on the internet allows me to say Bjorn delivered the goods on both works in full glory - mighty proud as a Flemish lion fighting - defending his own rights!
I've got the opportunity spreading the word of Taranis' new, second album - an opportunity I took a while ago without hesitating. It's quite immediately clear that Bjorn's passion for music burns deep - all vocals, guitars and bass duties are delivered by himself plus he's in charge as song writer, overall he also recorded the guitars / voice parts all by himself... believe me on my word, this guy's passion for creating his own way of Metal knows no barriers. On ''Flandriae'', you will hear another person named Fynnbrenn O Torcklan as drum hammerer.
To me, it was quite straight on obvious that Taranis is inspired by the evil forces of legendary Bathory! Bjorn's vocal use is extremely similar with Quorthon's 'shrieking' throat for sure - this is a speaking comparison. It all makes it more unique keeping in the back of your head the idea it's all created by only one guy... once again, amazing stuff. Mostly the songs are played in mid-tempo ways - don't be afraid, guys like to take the fast lane are also served on their applications. Besides early Bathory or Pagan Rites influences, this album gives away some pure old school Heavy Metal riffs as well and that's great to me (like it-love-can't live without it truly!).
Don't expect some modern, nowadays trendy crap - an album like ''Flandriae'' keeps the old school tradition of Black / Thrash Metal way up high so big Bjorn worked it all out with a sharp form of detailed attention. The sound quality is upper mighty, the song structures are great - I can't find myself back in the nowadays Black Metal movement but based on what I've heard on the new Taranis album, my heart thrives of desire to the good 'ol days of Bathory, Venom and so on.
Our own Flemish lion reflects on the cover with proud - lyrical contents on the album mostly about the history of Flanders, I'd like to recommend to listen closely to the following songs: 'Vlaamse Trots (Anno 1302)' and 'Argonne Forest (anno 1914)'... to name but a few - hope you'll get the picture. I won't leave this review without the mentioning of a song that closes up 'Flandriae'' entitled 'Black Demon', originally created by German 80s fame Running Wild. This songs stands strong on ''Gates To Purgatory'' (1984), it was one of my favourite tracks back then - as for now, Taranis ability to cover this songs is blasting strong. Sung with a serious Quorthon feel, I really can dug this version a lot - I'd like to go further and mention ''this is the best Running Wild cover song ever heard''....take it for real!
Okay, reaching the end of my review but one thing before I pack my bags and go... Taranis is currently rehearsing on playing their songs for a live audience - within immense time, mastermind Bjorn will be surrounded by a few well skilled musicians on stage so beware when Taranis hit the stage in your neighbourhood - you're already warned by now.
''Flandriae'' - an album for the old school generation of Black / Thrash Metal who are also in for some slices of Classic Heavy Metal... played with a burning passion by a talented Metal musician, a great guy with the heart on the right place - a good friend actually. To Bjorn, GREAT stuff brother - Cheers! Order possibilities at: http://www.myspace.com/taranisvl or http://www.iron-pegasus.com/ MY POINTS: 87 / 100