VITER «Dzherelo» [2010] new
Encyclopaedia Metallum 2011-02-15
Mark: 73%
Some of my absolute favourite folk/black metal in recent years has come from Ukraine and Russia. Regardless of what you think about their politics, bands like Drudkh, Nokturnal Mortum and Temnozor have been churning out some very good albums in recent years. One of the lesser known bands from this area is Kroda, a duo from Ukraine who produced two splits and three brilliant albums (Fimbulvinter is certainly in my top 5 albums of all time) before instrumentalist Viterzgir left, going on to form Viter as a much more folk-influenced project. For a long time I thought that the music he wrote, especially in Kroda but also in his numerous other side projects, was truly fantastic, so I was naturally interested in what Viter would bring to the table in this debut EP.
The music on the album is - on the surface - a very standard mix of folk, metal and ambient, however that simply does no credit to the music being performed here. As he did in Kroda, Viterzgir manages to balance all elements expertly throughout - basically giving a solid metal backing while allowing the folk instruments to soar above and grab your attention with often very beautiful melodies. Whereas many folk metal bands play metal, then folk, then metal, then folk again, Viter manage to mix both together very successfully. This is most evident on "Krov Tikae" and "Vidrizh" which feature many different folk instruments but never lose their way, each instrument fitting with the music and progressing naturally. As I said earlier, the folk parts of the music play a far more prominent role in this release than in any of Viterzgir's previous bands, leading the way throughout almost all of the songs. This essentially relegates the metal to a backing role for most of the time, and although in general it is nothing to write home about, there are a couple of times it really does shine, most notably in the second part of the title track which catches the listener off-guard with a simple, crushing riff of epic proportions. The third song on the album, "Sny Hmar" goes for a far more ambient feel, reminding me a lot of the Falcon Among the Cliffs mini-album Kroda released. While this was never really my cup of tea it certainly isn't a terrible song by any means. The vocals on the album are delivered in a powerful, rather typical Slavic style, reminding me of bands like Oprich, Svarga and of course Temnozor. While they may not be to everyone's taste - they certainly took a while to grow on me - I feel they compliment the music fantastically, giving a real sense of both power and emotion to the music. Often I find clean vocals over metal to be too weak to cope with the music, however there is absolutely no danger of that happening here, Viterzgir's voice is as solid as any of the other instruments. Overall the production on the album is very good, allowing each instrument to stand out in the mix and do its own thing which leads to some great interplay between the different instruments.
The major thing holding this back from being rated higher in my books is simply its length, at only 20 minutes long I found myself thinking "is that it?" Music with this sort of atmosphere really needs more time to draw you in and get a feel for it, and while I realise this is only an EP, I would have been happier waiting longer and getting a full album. Another gripe is the track order, the ambient "Sny Hmar" really breaks up the flow of the album for me. While I don't normally think ambient breaks on albums are a great idea (Nokturnal Mortum's Weltanschauung being a prime example of them killing the flow of an album), I very rarely think they're a truly bad idea either. In an album this short, however, "Sny Hmar" would have suited the end of the album far more than the middle.
Despite these negatives, overall this release is a very promising debut. The songs themselves are certainly better than my rating may imply, but as an entire package it is slightly let down by poor track arrangement. While I wouldn't exactly say it is a must-buy release, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to fans of Slavic folk metal, and doubly so since it's going for only around ?3 ($5/ˆ4) on the Casus Belli webstore! Fireach
VITER «Dzherelo» [2010]
Mortem Zine 2010-12-29
Mark: 7/10
VITER je prakticky novacikom na hudobnej scene. Pseudonym, za ktorym sa ukryva jeden skuseny veteran Viterzgir a particka mne neznamych muzikantov. Viterzgira urcite poznate z jeho ucinkovania v zoskupeni Kroda, odkial odisiel a svoj vysoky kreativny potencial sa rozhodol radsej investovat do vlastneho projektu. Podla mna krok velmi spravny. Kroda od vydania „Fimbulvinter” (svojou hudbou) o sebe nijak vyraznejsie nedava vediet a Viterzgir bude mat aspon moznost sa nejak viac realizovat a jeho cit pre folkove prvky v hudbe dostane vacsi priestor. VITER vyzera vcelku slubne, podme sa pozriet, co ponuka jeho stvorskladbovy debut.
Ked vyjde pre mna dobry folk metalovy album, ktory je niecim vynimocny, ci uz prepracovanostou, hustou atmosferou, alebo chytlavostou a neprevara stale tu istu vodu, mam viac-menej taky maly sviatok. Uz teraz prehlasim, ze podobny mensi sviatok nastal aj v pripade debutu VITER. Zamerne by som zdoraznil slovo mensi, po prve preto, lebo zasa nejak moc sa z tohto albumu zblaznit nejdem, na druhej strane som (subjektivne) rad, ze aj v tomto zanri to este zije. No a po druhe, v tomto pripade sa jedna len o mini CD (cas je len nejakych 20 minut) a ide len o nejaky predkrm k plnohodnotnemu albumu. Propagaciu albumu navyse velmi vkusne podciarkuje aj podareny videoklip k titulnej piesni „Dzherelo,” ktory mate moznost vzhliadnut pod textom.
Album ma na prvy posluch uplne strhol a bol velmi chytlavy. Pomalicky sa rozbieha a jazdu startuje atmosferickym trackom „Dzherelo” s velmi ukludnujucim zaciatkom. Uz hned od zaciatku je jasne, ze album bude presyteny folkovymi elementami a tradicnymi nastrojmi, didgerida, perkusii, pistaliek a pod. Dlho nepocut ziadne gitary, naozaj zaujimave. Avsak dockame sa a vyplazi sa na nas nejaka ta tahava dvojslapka doplnena gitarami, ale velmi to s tym ukrajinski susedia neprehanaju. O ziadnom besneni nemozno byt ani reci, co vseobecne plati pre cely album. Prvy raz zaznieva aj vokal a nastastie sa nejedna o ziadny vreskot, alebo skrekot, ktory by tu absolutne nebol na mieste. Hlasovy prejav Veterzgira je naozaj velmi silny. Rozsah jeho hlasu nie je nijak zazracny, avsak vela si na albume nenaklada, cize s prehladom uspieva, co si navari. Skoda, ze k vrcholu albumu pride tak zavcasu a to pri piesni „Krov Tikae.” Celkovo mi prva polovicka albumu pride lepsia, ako ten zvysok. Cim? Asi celkovou prepracovanostou a vyslednym dojmom. Navyse jedna z dvoch zaverecnych piesni je len intermezzo a posobi na mna, ako vypln. Nakoniec v zaverecnej „Vidrizh” mi velmi vadi zvuk (myslim, ze) drevenych trumpiet. Avsak berte to len ako nejaku moju osobnu averziu voci tomuto nastroju. Verim, ze vacsine z vas to tam fajn zapadne.
Celkovo debut hodnotim velmi kladne. Samozrejme s tym, ze tento album bol len predkrmom pred plnohodnotnou, dlhohrajucou doskou. Tesim sa na nu. Vilozof
VITER «Dzherelo» [2010]
Bes Web Zine 2010-12-18
Mark: 80%
Nie je to davno, co undegroundovu scenu obletela sprava o odchode Viterzgira z ukrajinskej folk black metalovej formacie Kroda. Potom, co sa situacia okolo odchodu ukludnila, vysli na svetlo informacie o vzniku noveho hudobneho telesa s nazvom Viter. Metalova verejnost bola nedockava, co nove prinesie skupina hudobnikov okolo Viterzgira a v akom smere sa posunie od zanrovo tvrdsej Krody. Viterzgir nenechal na seba dlho cakat a postupne vypustal na Youtube video uputavky na nove EP. V zavere tohto leta sa podarilo zhmotnit tvorbu v Casus Belli Musica a tak vysiel prvy material tejto ukrajinskej folk metalovej kapely pod nazvom Dzherelo. Nasej redakcii sa v tomto obdobi podarilo ako prvej spravit rozhovor s Viterzgirom v ktorom osvetloval samotny vznik, tvorbu a vydanie tohto EP. Podme vsak na samotny material.
Dzherelo uz od prvych minut dava tusit, ze pojde o nieco nove v ramci doterajsej Viterzgirovej tvorby, no zaroven jasne citit odkaz predchadzajucej folkovej tvorby na materialoch Krody. V prvom rade si treba uvedomit, ze Dzherelo nepredstavuje pokracovatela black metalovo ladenych albumov Krody, ide skor o spojenie folku a metalu, nie vsak na sposob tvorby kapiel ako Hromovlad, Zrec ci Arkona, ale skor o priklon k progresivnejsej tvorbe kapely Negura Bunget a jej albumu Om. Jasne naznaky odkazu na tvorbu Negury Bunget citit ci uz v skladbach ako Vidrizh alebo Krov Tikae. Nejde vsak o kopirovanie Negury Bunget, skor len o velmi podobny sposob kompozicii, ktore plynulo prechadzaju do typickych kompozicnych postupov Viterzgira, ktore mi miestami pripominaju debutovy album Krody, Cry to Me, River... . Na EP, mozeme najst i pasaze, kde sa dava vacsi priestor na folkove nastroje, no i pasaze, kde naopak idu do popredia gitary. Z hladiska dynamiky Dzherelo ponuka skor stredne tempa, na ktore sme zvyknuty z poslednych albumov Nokturnal Mortumu, no miestami prechadza i do rychlejsich pre black metal typickych klepacov. Vokal je cisty, scream by sa v tomto pripade absolutne nehodil, z hladiska zvuku nemam co vytknut, ani z hladiska hracskych vykonov. Velky prinos vidim v rozmanitom vyuziti folkovych nastrojov v cisto folkovej skladbe Sny Hmar. Kym Negura Bunget dava doraz v podobnych skladbach skor na klaves, Viter vsadza skor na folkove nastroje, miestami navodzuje az jemne orientalnu atmosferu a plynulo sa vracia k tomu, co je pre ukrajinsku scenu velmi priznacne, a to ukrajinsky folklor. A prave folklor je ten hlavny spojovatel, ktory charakterizuje dnes spominane styri kapely – Viter, Kroda, Negura Bunget a Nokturnal Mortum. To co je charakteristicke pre tieto kapely je prave inspiracia vo folklore, a kedze podstata vychodoeuropskeho folkloru vychadza aj z kulturneho dedicstva karpatskeho obluku, ktory zacina v Rumunsku a konci v Ceskej republike a ovplyvnil materialnu a duchovnu kulturu narodov zijucich v tejto oblasti, je zaujimave sledovat jednu a tu istu inspiraciu v styroch hudobnych telesach.
EP Dzherelo, predstavuje spojenie ukrajinskeho folkloru a metalu, ktory je pre ukrajinsku scenu velmi priznacny. Pre fanusikov poslednej tvorby Negury Bunget ci Nokturnal Mortumu bude predstavovat prijemne prekvapenie a urcite v nej najdu svoje sympatie. Jednoznacne toto EP odporucam, kedze kvalita ukrajinskej sceny v poslednych rokoch len rastie a skupina Viter je toho samotnym dokazom. Blutkrieg
VITER «Dzherelo» [2010]
Imperiumi.net 2010-11-14
Mark: 8/10
Folk ja metalli ovat siitä nihkeä yhdistelmä, että jo tämä oksymoronilta tuoksahtava yhdistelma kosahtaa omaan simppeliin mahdottomuuteensa, tai vaihtoehtoisesti lipsahtaa liikaa vitsin puolelle. Ukrainalainen, vielä vaippaiässä oleva Viter, tarttuu kuitenkin härkää sarmista uhmakkain ottein ja lopputulos on, yllätyksellisesti, suorastaan mainio.
Parikymmenminuuttinen Dzherelo on sitä, mitä kanssamaalainen Drudkh voisi, ja ehkä myös pitäisi olla. Dzherelon herkkä, mutta tunteikas ja soitinrikas ilmaisu on voimakasta, menevää ja taidokkaasti fiilistelevää. Soundeista lauluun ja riffeistä folk-soittimiin homma toimii komeasti, uskottavasti ja komeasti yhteen niputettuna. Näin helppona vertailukohtana Viter voisi olla Ukrainan vastine latvialaiselle Skyforgerille.
Perinteisten metallisoitinten rinnalle on otettu niin ikään lajityypillistä muniharppua, huilua ja mitälie muita instrumentteja, joita ei levyn kansivihkokaan sen tarkemmin esittele. Myös koskettimet ovat mukana kokonaisuutta värittämässä. Melkoisesta instrumenttimäärästään huolimatta levy ei rönsyile liiaksi asti, vaan siinä on samalla sekä luonnonläheinen, että perinteikäs tunnelma, ja kuitenkin samaan aikaan levy tarjoaa myös maukkaan metallielämyksen omintakeisella tavalla.
Miehekäs, komeaääninen laulu, kautta linjan hyvät soundit ja kaunis perinneinstrumenttien käyttö tekevät Viteristä varteenotettavan nimen tällä rintamalla. Toivoa sopii, että jatkoa myös seuraa yhtä laadukkaan kokopitkän muodossa. Serpent
VITER «Dzherelo» [2010]
Metal Music Archives 2010-11-09
Mark: 4.5/5
There is no question of Viterzgir’s musical and compositional abilities, knowing his background in such acts as Kroda and Dragobrath, so it is unsurprising how well Viter’s debut EP ”Dzherelo” takes the listener to the beautiful landscapes of Ukrainian forests and mountains. Melting together traditional instruments, folk metal and black metal, Viter’s sound is undoubtedly close to Negura Bunget and, especially in the masculine clean vocal department, Temnozor.
Consisting of just four tracks, it does not hurt to give a little track-by-track description of ”Dzherelo”: starting with the title track, Viter introduces the mysterious atmosphere with the deliberate use of traditional instruments and Walknut esque melancholic black metal tremolo fire. ”Krov Tikae” is closer to the grandiose folk metal of Temnozor where flutes handle the goose bumps inducing, recurring melodies. Also to be noted is the emotional vocal output of Viterzgir - even if I don’t understand a word, I can hear the passion. ”Sny Hmar” works as an interlude of numerous different traditional instruments, far from some simple and cheap one-note synth fillers. This song ends to the surprisingly happily starting ”Vydrizh”, melodies somewhat reminiscent of Nokturnal Mortum’s later works, occasionally bursting into a beautiful sea of blastbeat filled black metal melancholy.
The amount of interesting ideas that ”Dzherelo” presents is mesmerizing, and this applies to all departments: emotional vocal delivery, the professional and natural production that gives space to all the instruments, the carefully crafted balance between metal and traditional music, and... I could go on and on. If you are into the bands that I’ve mentioned throughout this review, make sure you look into this EP. Even if not playing anything extremely original, Viter manages to make it sound nearly perfect. Only time will tell if this is worth of even a higher score. Vehemency
VITER «Dzherelo» [2010]
True Cult Heavy Metal - Rhys Stevenson 2010-10-01
Mark: 8/10
Ukrainian Folksters Viter arrive on the Pagan/Slavic side of folk music based on how the dress and play musically, with their debut EP 'Dzherelo', there are double bass drums and your traditional Romany style music, using tambourines, flutes, etc. With this in mind it is very atmospheric, the sort of atmosphere generated in the Black Forest per se, but an overall performance would be finalized and dubbed as such 'True Ukrainian Folk Metal', a certain band for fans of Subway To Sally, maNga, Nile, Ancient Rites and Folk Metal in general. Rhys Stevenson
VITER «Dzherelo» [2010]
Apochs Metal Review 2010-09-28
Mark: 5/5
Dzherelo marks the debut release from the Ukrainian Viter, issues through Casus Belli Musica. This four song release does well at it's Folk Metal approach, but also carries with it a strong nature/Pagan feel with it as well for an approach that isn't unlike many in this style, but gives a rather unique feel to the material sometimes to help the band stand out a little more. But, is that all that makes this release shine?
Luckily, no. Dzherelo starts off a little slow with the opening title track, but while it takes a little while to kick in, the running water effect utilized in the start sounds so clear and relaxing, working well for the music that follows. The track itself carries the atmosphere well, but also has a very dark and heavy feel to it that many would say borders a Doom Metal feel. Sadly, this burdening feeling doesn't follow with the rest of the album, but the atmosphere continues to stay rich as you continue. "Sny Hmar" is a fantastic example, having a whimsical Pagan feel to it through the excellent use of traditional folk instruments to set up the feeling that you are sitting at a campfire at night, listening to the music of our ancestors in the night in the thickest of forests.
"Dzherelo" and "Sny Hmar" feature a fantastic atmosphere to them, which makes it's way into the start of "Vydrizh" prior to the actual song kicking in, but outside of these instrumental-like moments, the songs themselves focus around a traditional Folk Metal sound that only slightly incorporates the instruments associated with it instead of utilizing them to the full potential they already have been on the two aforementioned tracks. Of course, this doesn't hinder the music, as the songs here are solid, but seem a little misguided is all. "Dzherelo", as stated, has more of a Doom Metal vibe going on to it, "Krov Tikae" is more upbeat and comes off as a traditional Folk song with metal incorporated, and then "Vydrizh" seems a mix of both the Folk atmosphere and metal style and random Black Metal moments, prodominantly in the drumming.
Even though the music does seem to jump around a little bit from track to track, it's all in the same vein in the end, and all carry the same kind of atmosphere to them. There's honestly nothing wrong with this release other then that it's an EP, as the material here will leave you wanting to hear more from Viter then just these four tracks. The ambience used on this release is breathtaking, and the music on the release is often soothing, with exception to the faster paced "Krov Tikae" outside of it's ambient moments. Dzherelo winds up being a very impressive debut for this band, showing some great musical talent for the Folk field, both with the overall presentation, and Viter's ability to write solid Folk Metal tracks, as well as a release that is worth going out of your way to experience if you're a fan of this style. Jason Apoch Weiss
VITER «Dzherelo» [2010]
Lord of Isengard 2010-09-26
La llovizna, que aun permanece desde que amanecio, me motiva a presentar una banda ucraniana formada en los ultimos dias y que lleva como lider nada menos que a Viterzgir, musico reconocido por encabezar a otros grupos ucranianos como Capitollium, Dragobrath y por supuesto Kroda, la que por cierto abandono recientemente para dedicarse a otros proyectos. Aunque cualquiera podria pensar que lo hecho aca es otra novedad del duo Viterzgir-Eisenslav, como veras.
De entrada la estetica del grupo es muy similar a la de Kroda (por no decir identica) e imprimen un sonido de notables reminiscencias a los mismos, pero no tanto por el black metal veloz y pagano con firma categorica del ex-duo ucraniano, sino de mano de lo que ya venian forjando dentro del corto experimental 'Falcon Among the Cliffs', en el que nos echan a volar la imaginacion con su atmosfera de riffs lentos y grises junto a un folk frio y brumoso como un amanecer en las montanas carpatas.
Al lado de ese folk majestuoso acompana una voz limpia doliente y oscura, como de espectro lamentandose en las tinieblas. Esta voz se sobrepone a una blacker muy desapercibida, de hecho la primera vez que escuche el album ni siquiera la note. En realidad la musica que nos entregan utiliza muchos recursos doomster, estilo que desconozco un mundo, pero como una vez lei en un comentario, le cae de lujo a los grupos que le cantan a los vastos y desolados parajes de la naturaleza (Martolea viene a mi mente) y aca no es la excepcion.
Viterzgir es un musico sensacional, los fans del pagan metal le reconoceran de inmediato prueben el enorme repertorio de instrumentos tradicionales como solo el sabe tocar. Los otros miembros del grupo han estado en las filas de Goverla, otros ucranianos de culto a la naturaleza y las creencias antiguas. En fin, esto es un EP brevisimo, en lo personal no dudo ni un instante en que pronto los vientos del este traeran maravillas a nuestros oidos de parte de Viter. Saruman