XIV Dark Centuries - Gizit Dar Faida (2011)

XIV Dark Centuries - Gizit Dar Faida

XIV Dark Centuries is a pagan metal band from Germany. The genre pagan metal can be very varied and might contain many different musical aspects, but what the band has done here was basically giving the essence of this musical concept.

From riffing varying between black and folk metal to the moderate keyboard atmosphere and different layers of vocals and clean "hymns" and clear bassline and excellent drumming, this album is very balanced but leaning towards a more melodic feel.

The album contains 11 songs, and each one of them is a delight, but after a few listens some songs will grow on you more than the others.

Songs such as "Zeit der Rache", "Hinauf zum Gold'nen Tor" and "Eine Wanderung" give the album that extra kick, they are extremely well composed and arranged in a way that gave the whole album another dimension. They might probably be my favorite tracks on the album, each one of them is a well crafted masterpiece.

The production has certainly improved since their 2006 album "Skithingi" and of course the musical concepts and the atmosphere has shown extra determination to provide the listener with the best aural journey through heathen badassery.

The fans of instrumentals also will get their pants wet after listening to the stunning "Eichenhain"; An acoustic piece delivered in a perfect timing, it feels like taking a walk in the German black forests in autumn, It just fits perfectly in the whole mood of the album and a fine addition indeed.

This album is probably their best effort so far, it has a charming and profound feel, a bit cinematic at some point, and has some moments where you just need to grab a sword and rush to war! This one is a keeper and grower as well, all the fans of viking and folk music will adore it.

copas from http://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/XIV_Dark_Centuries/Gizit_Dar_Faida/313848/

Tracklist:
01. Westwärts
02. Zeit der Rache
03. Schlachtgesang
04. Donars Söhne
05. Hinauf zum Gold'nen Tor
06. Eichenhain
07. Brennen soll das alte Leiden
08. Eine Wanderung
09. Runenraunen - Eine Wanderung II
10. Surtur erwacht
11. Ausklang

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XIV Dark Centuries - Skithingi (2006)

XIV Dark Centuries - Skithingi

This album has it all. There are countless infleuces here, from Humppa (Ahnenland), to folk (any of the Bardensang- tracks), pagan metal and a combination of folk and pagan elements all in one. There are driving double bass beats, various vocal styles, synthesizer-induced atmosphere, and excellent guitar work. The guitars are especially important, as the other instruments lay the foundation with which the guitars build upon, and the other elements are assisted by the guitars to build the songs up to a powerful climax.

The first track is short, but sets the stage for the entire album. On "Sudwarts", we are introduced to the importance of the guitars throughout the album. This method where the rhythm section is skirted by the lead guitars is utilized constantly. The listener will find a typical song to include a folk influenced intro, and a gradual incorporation of the other entities of the band. Everything is built up, and all elements introduced in the opening stanzas will come back to play a larger role as the song moves forward. A great example of this is the track "Thing". There is a folky flute/acoustic guitar melody and vocals, which builds into a powerful dueling guitar riff derived from the initial melody and atmospheric synth is engaged. At this point all instruments are moving full force, and a powerful pagan anthem is born. The climax of each track is reached near the end of each song, which allows a reset of sorts, where the folk influences are again allowed to take center stage, and the process is repeated.

Each instrument is important on this album. The drums do a great job of maintaining the frantic pace of the guitars, and the synthesizer lends to the overall power and atmosphere (similar to that of Moonsorrow). The vocals styles range from clean, raspy higher pitched growls, and deep throaty snarls or a combination of the three. This leads to a very full and almost operatic vocal arrangement when attaining the pinnacle point of each track. The guitars, however, are the most versitile and range from acoustic, distorted, and a combination of the two. The dueling guitar style is found on every track, even the fully acoustic ones like "Bardensang- Eschenhain", where each guitar is moving on seperate octaves and gives an incredibly full sound.

The flow of the album is fantastic, and every track leads into the next, sometimes borrowing from the previous one to expound on a melody that is varied slightly. Even though there are three short tracks that are fully acoustic, they fit well because of the fact that all the songs start relatively minimally and build as the song goes on. Every track has a memorable riff, and I find myself headbanging, and double bass air drumming uncontrollably. This is a great album if you like folk metal bands like Moonsorrow, Finntroll, or Månegarm. There is a little bit of everything, and kept me entertained throughout the entire length.

Standout tracks: Louvia - die ewigen Wälder, Runibergun, Ahnenland and Skithingi.

copas from http://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/XIV_Dark_Centuries/Skithingi/129779/

Tracklist:
1. Südwärts 01:24
2. Toringi 02:44
3. Louvia - die ewigen Wälder 03:43
4. Thing 04:08
5. Skiltfolk 03:27
6. Bardensang - Eschenhain 01:26
7. Herzyn Harug 03:54
8. Runibergun 04:05
9. Silbermährn 04:09
10. Ahnenland 04:32
11. Bardensang - Balderes Wolon 01:40
12. Skithingi 04:21
13. Warnenkrieg 03:48
14. Hwerenofelda 03:33

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XIV Dark Centuries - Jul (EP) 2005

XIV Dark Centuries - Jul

Tracklist:
1. Auf zur Schlacht
2. Bragarful
3. Julenzeit
4. Rauhnaechte
5. Liodhahattr

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XIV Dark Centuries - ...den Ahnen zum Grusse (2003)

XIV Dark Centuries - ...den Ahnen zum Grusse

This album is absolutely amazing. From start to finish I love every bit of this album. These Germans have churned out some fucking excellent pagan metal. I can't believe this band is not well known, they certainly deserve some credit for this great album. Being from a town in Germany that was around before the horrid Christians took over, they certainly have pagan roots, which influence the entirety of this album.

This album takes you on a journey through the ancient black forests Germany and if you close your eyes, you really feel like you're there. It's hard to describe the awesomeness of this album through words, you really have to experience it for yourself. I do have to say that I really enjoy the acoustic parts and even the intro and outro are excellent. The album begins with an acoustic intro along with synthesized horns and flutes creating a great atmosphere, the intro really sets the pace for the rest of the album.

The vocals range from Black Metal screams to deep Death Metal growls, you will also find some clean vocals (mostly of the chanting style) which are done quite well. Music is described by the band as Heathen Thuringian Metal, which is a pretty accurate description seeing as the music combines heavy elements of Folk Metal, Epic Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal and even a bit of Thrash. There are keyboards as well but they remain mostly in the background and are not too intrusive. Generally I am not a fan of keyboards unless they are used just right. This album succeeds in that factor. In fact I rather enjoy the use of keys on this album.

Guitar work is also performed quite well, you won't find the same repetitive riffs played over and over again. There are quite a few acoustic parts to the album, mainly at the beginning of the tracks, again these passages are performed superbly and set the mood. The entire album is very atmospheric and flows together perfectly from song to song. They did a very good job choosing the order of the tracks on the album.

Any fan of Pagan Metal, Viking Metal or Melodic Black Metal should check this out, you wil not be disappointed.

copas from http://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/XIV_Dark_Centuries/...den_Ahnen_zum_Grusse.../30046/

Tracklist:
1. Nordwärts (Instrumental)      
2. Walhalla's Tore
3. Fenrir
4. Thor's Hammer
5. Falsche Propheten
6. Teutonentanz
7. Unseren Ahnen zum Grusse
8. Holmgang
9. Prolog
10. Des Kriegers Traum
11. Têtes Coupées - Der Schädelkult
12. Valpurga
13. Tanz der Schwerter (Instrumental)

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XIV Dark Centuries - Dunkle Jahrhunderte [Demo] (2000)

XIV Dark Centuries - Dunkle Jahrhunderte [Demo]

I received this with only a booklet and no tray inlay, so I’m assuming that it is a nicely printed demo .. or that I got gypped out of my inlay :^(. The booklet says it is a product of Moonrise Underground Productions, but that could just be XIV Dark Centuries’ “label.” Anyway, the heathen metal on display here is of a mid-paced, non-threatening variety. The vocals are blackish and doubled, one taking a lower death metal register and the other taking a mid-range black metal rasp. So, the vocals are rather tame, hackneyed and make no impression. The riffing is slightly melodic heavy metal with no drive – never does one feel the urge to bang his or her head or throw horns or whatever one might do when one is inspired to movement by metal. Not until the 6th song do I really get any indication, riff-wise, of this having heathen / traditional European leanings – when there is some actual folky / heathen melodies used. There are synths that are used, seemingly, to fill out certain sections, but the tone chosen is so limp that it adds nothing and truly only serves to make the song sound cheesy. I can almost get into the last song because XIV uses a semi-interesting chord progression and some epic parts with ..surprise .. a guitar solo, which fits somehow, but they throw that synth in there playing a simple and bad riff with that cheesy sound and it ruins everything. Some positives are that, for a demo (or whatever), it is recorded very well and everyone seems to have some minor skills with their instruments, as the playing is not sloppy. But, apart from the last song, this is just boring. There’s even a spoken word part (track 8) - RARELY do spoken word parts have a place in songs, and they have no place in this otherwise decent, clean, atmospheric song intro. Overall, a decent try, but with little success.

copas from http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/XIV_Dark_Centuries/Dunkle_Jahrhunderte/30045

Tracklist:
1.     Als das Opferfeuer brannt     03:49       Show lyrics
2.     XIV Dark Centuries     03:43     
3.     Die drei Gleichen     04:31     
4.     Gods Victim     04:32     
5.     Wintersonnenwende     04:54       Show lyrics
6.     Platerspiel     02:31     
7.     Our Mighty Fortress     04:47       Show lyrics
8.     Prolog     03:17       Show lyrics
9.     Des Kriegers Traum     05:18       Show lyrics

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XIV Dark Centuries - For Your God (1999) demo

XIV Dark Centuries - For Your God

Tracklist:
1. For Your God (6:12)
2. Urian's Place (4:25)
3. My Magic Eyes (4:25)
4. Our Mighty Fortress (Castrum Haltinberc) (4:49)
5. Lost Dreams (4:08)
6. My Magic Eyes (Experimental Version) (5:09)

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