I will be the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of Pagan / Folk Metal. Much like Tech Death, it’s just that I find it hard at times to find a semblance of groove in it. No offense to those aficionados of those genres, but I have to think too much when I am listening. Regardless of my (childish??) views on the subject, I still love to explore and listen to all styles because I sincerely love the music, and also, you just never know what’s gonna grab you. So, diving into this, the latest release from Bavarian FESTUNG NEBELBURG, I can say from the onset that it’s not overtly Pagan in its sound. Their Bandcamp page states Black’n’Roll, but I really do not hear much of that either. From my novice ears, I hear a form of blackened Power Metal with a strong patriotic feel and vocals that occasionally remind me of Udo (ACCEPT). It also could be just from all the associated imagery that the band releases, that I’ve maybe assumed that the band would be of that sound, but for the most part, they are not. There is a strong Power Metal quality with the Black Metal overtones at times. Mainly from the guitars, but the vocals are another quality that sets them apart. Main member Nattulv carries himself with a more baritone style, at times with that aforementioned Udo vocal styling that gives variation to the overall presentation. The band has an output since their inception in 2006, and for the most part, from a general overview of past releases, the sound has maintained much the same style through the years. So credit to the band for a solid consistency through the years. So, back to the music, while having some Pagan attributes, be it with occasional acoustic guitars and mild ambient interludes, it seems to be a bit different overall and not typical of the genre. While listening, I hear a sound that evokes the heritage and culture of the region. All lyrics and songtitles are in German, and it’s hard for me to be definitive on the subject matter, but the aura the music evokes is indicative of that vibe. The production is good and I’m happy to hear, also despite being a solo project, Nattulv plays the drums himself, so it gives the band a very organic feel. I would also hazard a guess that this style of music would not work well with programmed drums. It would just kill the mood, I would think. So, speaking for myself and also with my apologies, I hope I have given a very general soundscape for those who find this particular genre in their listening rotation and seek to explore a slightly different take on the Pagan / Folk genre. www.facebook.com/festungnebelburg, https://festungnebelburg.bandcamp.com