Band: HAEREDIUM
Country: France
Title: Ascension
Label: Art Gates Records
Year: 2019
Style: Folk Power Metal
Review:
First time I hear about this band although it was founded 10 years ago and this is their second full-length album to date, but I guess that's no wonder since the debut album was self-released in 2014 and I think didn't benefit of a good promotion apart for the band's area (Strasbourg). Haeredium are a good surprise if you're into Epic Metal, their style might be defined as a mix of Folk Metal, Alternative Rock, Post Punk or even straight Punk and even a touch of Symphonic Rock / Metal; to spice things up they've added multiple layers of keys and pianos, whistles, violin, even accordion if my hearing is not mistaking and lots of choirs to an extent that the compositions are stuffed with things to discover but at the same time they all have at least a hook to make them stand out from the crowd, and here I could name the debut track, wich coupled with the intro could easily become the band's anthem from now until their demise (no doubt this will be the most requested track live for the band). The Ethnic / Folk touch offers us a taste of rural or old suburban France, it's easy to sit back and imagine old countryside festivals full of wine and dancing while listening to this album. Another thing worth mentioning is the classical music and even jazz influences these musicians have and that's probably because of their training (I can only guess they all, or part of them, have classical training in their background).If you're into Symphonic Metal, Epic Power Metal or Folk Rock / Metal I suggest you give this album a chance, you might like it as much or even more than I did.
PS: A week after I wrote this review and I still whistle the theme of the first track here, in my books that's some gold material for sure!
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 8.5/10