Rating: 8.4

Country: Germany

Release Date: 2006

Track list:
1.We Are Possessed
2.The Eye of Despair
3.Welcome to Samhain
4.Bastard and Bitch
5.Cranking Battleharps
6.Life, Death and the Hereafter
7.Believe in Eternity
8.Armour of Honour
9.Roaring Warlike and Victious
10.Poch Mo Hoine

Band Website: Morrigan

Morrigan - Welcome To Samhain

Beliar - Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Balor - Drums

20 years ago, almost to this very day, a then-obscure Swedish band by the name of Bathory released their third album, 'Under the Sign of the Black Mark'. That, and the 1988 followup 'Blood Fire Death' , would define epic black metal forever, and since that day band after band has attempted to match the atmosphere of those albums. Germany's Morrigan, of all who have tried, are still one of the most successful in this field. They also inject their own sense of Celtic flavour into the mix, plus an added bonus of very emotive clean vocals to balance the pained shrieks.

Album number five, 'Welcome to Samhain', is actually something of a return to the beginnings of Morrigan. They've even gone so far as to re-record an old Mayhemic Truth (their former incarnation) track which was never even released until now. The overall feel of this CD recalls the chaotic intensity of their brilliant debut 'Plague, Waste and Death', with the epic side of things once again playing second fiddle to pounding rawness. This is quite a surprise, since each successive album since 'Plague…' has moved further away from that and into a more strident, epic sound complete with very long songs. That 'Welcome to Samhain' clocks in at a relatively brief 45 minutes, as opposed to the 60+ minute lengths of Celts and Headcult is testament to this album's more oldschool approach.

Basically, if you've heard the aforementioned Bathory albums, or 'Plague, Waste and Death' for that matter, you know what to expect here. A rough, yet perfectly comprehensible recording, with plenty of crashing cymbals and distorted bass to be heard, lends a very warlike feel to proceedings. There's still a few choral vocals scattered throughout, but Beliar mostly sticks to abusing his throat this time, although he never reaches the heights of barking madness heard on the first album or the Mayhemic Truth material. The oddest feature on this album is the inclusion of two tracks – “We Are Possessed” and “Cranking Battleharps” – which consist entirely of rumbling effects and insane screams/growls/howls. The latter is actually a bit annoying, clocking in at nearly four minutes, and appearing right in the middle of the album which makes it rather disruptive. Never to worry though, since “Life, Death and the Hereafter” is an awesome doom-laden track which makes you forget that you've just spent four minutes being annoyed.

If you liked Morrigan's first four albums, you'll need this one too. Especially if the last two went a bit far into epic territory for some (personally I love them, but that's me) it'll be a welcome return to their earlier form. If you haven't heard them before, feel free to buy it blindly and thank me later.

August 3rd, 2006