So far, Regnum Noricum from Linz. The band was founded in 2014, purely for fun, or rather, for the fun of extreme metal. Their debut, "Norici Erbo," which we briefly talked about, was released in 2017. Then two guitarists left, two new ones joined, and COVID was here to stay. However, there was a lot to do during the pandemic, so the single "Eternal Wandering" was released in 2023, produced by Hardbeat.Studious, and now we're in 2025, welcoming the new year with the Upper Austrians' second album, "Lost Legacy."
The lyrics aren't about the devil himself this time either, but rather a look back at our Celtic past. Roman soldiers loot Celtic tombs (they're called "tumuli" here in southwest Styria.) and are struck by a curse, Celtic culture is supposedly repressed and abandoned to its fate, Esus is praised, Christians arrive, potions are brewed, Samhain is celebrated, and the Wicker Man also appears. I like these approaches: no Satan or nationalism for once, as has happened a thousand times in black metal.
For me, the album starts off rather inconspicuously with "Malediction." I think a faster song would have been a bit more appropriate, especially since the six-and-a-half-minute track is the longest on the album. When things get up to speed, Regnum Noricum really unleashes a very relaxed black metal explosion. The sound, very natural, is harmonious. It's not poorly produced, but simply appropriate. This is what a drum kit can sound like, dear metalcore fans. When the guitars start riffing, it vibrates wonderfully (I wonder if our German readers will be able to understand that? I don't know...). The vocals may not be a huge revolution in black metal, but they're just mean enough to convey the lyrical themes in an unpleasant way.
In fact, I think the entire album is good from start to finish. There's even a minor hit with "As The Cross Came To Our Land." However, "Samhain," which features Rauhnacht, is a song I'm not convinced by. Perhaps it's because of the German vocals; I can't stand my native language sounding harsh in black/pagan/folk metal. Yes, German is used elsewhere, but I noticed it especially in this song.
However, the guys do it quite skillfully, mixing a lot of variety with convincing songwriting. Nothing seems half-hearted, nothing arbitrary. You can tell they have quite a bit of songwriting experience; a solo like the one on "Inside The Wickerman" isn't something you just improvise. The resolution of this solo can be described as solid. The mid-tempo transitions to uptempo, like in "Lost Legacy," are brilliant. The song also has a great chorus.
