[A short while ago, DMB writer Angel did an interview with Finnish Pagan Metallers Moonsorrow when he attended their gig. The original transcription of this was published on Angel’s own weblog, In Angel’s Head [Phones]. We’re publishing a slightly adapted version of the article today.]

When you talk about Folk / Pagan Metal, Moonsorrow is one of the bands that’s often named first. They’re from the Finnish echelons of the genre and have been active since 1995. Their name stems from a Celtic Frost song, called Sorrows of the Moon, however, they didn’t immediately start out as a Folk Metal band, but as a Black Metal outfit. An influence still heard in their stuff today.

Recently, I checked in with Ville (bass) and Mitja (guitars) from Moonsorrow, while in the midst of the Dead Tyrants Tour with Tyr and Crimfall, supporting the latest album release, Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa. They took some time out before preparing for the gig (drinking tea and vodka, in good Finnish fashion) to answer some questions about the tour, the album and a few surprises along the way.

And here we are again, after roughly a month, back to you with some material from Enid’s Munsalvaesche! As you can probably remember, we had some problems with Aural Music, who didn’t want us to upload materiel from the then unreleased album. “No problem.” we said, “We’ll simply get back to you in a month.” And that’s one promise kept.

I’ve got two videos for you, one of Red Knight and one of Condwiramurs, two songs I mentioned in my review. Furthermore, I have nothing more to say about this. If you want to read more click the link above to the review.

As I do not have access to the Dump a link “list”, it doesn’t happen that often that I do music posts without being asked to. However, this time I’ve got something special which I really wanted to share. Facebook-user Patrick Urban, sent us a link to this Atmospheric Black/Doom Metal band. Dammerfarben are a German band formed in 2005 by Guitarist/Vocalist/Cellist Blackheart Nostarion and started out as a solo-project. The addition of more members however, gave the band a boost, bringing forth their debut album Im Abentrot.

Closing in on 55 minutes Im Abentrot is not the shortest album and with songs in German, I would imagine this to be a very interesting listen. I turned out to be right as I searched the web for some material. I’ve got some awesome stuff for you after the jump.

[I've been trying my hardest, but I wasn't able to secure a Youtube video for you guys. Code666's mother label Aural Music was not willing to give permission for an upload, mainly because of the fact that this album has not yet been released. Of course The Baboon respects this decision, but we will, however come back to you with some material when the album comes out on the 28th of November!]

Munsalvaesche is a record with which I immediately felt a connection, the moment I saw the cover, and heard the songs. The concept is so powerful and the music suits it perfectly. However, I’m still sitting here, trying to make up my mind.

Munsalvaesche is kind of a one-man project but on the other hand not totally. Martin Wiese is the sole permanent member in the band, making use of session musicians for his albums. When thinking about this album, to me Martin could’ve been two things. He either was a drinking, burning, dishonouring knight or he would be the good history-fanatic, but after hearing the song Condwiramurs I was leaning toward the latter. In the end, my thoughts were confirmed by a series of videos in which Martin explains the album. After being enlightened by these Martin just seemed to me like an average Reformed Christian housefather (he would most probably be Lutheran as he’s a German, but anyways).

So yeah, the evening of Monday November 7^th started with a huge fuckin’ disappointment: Omnium Gatherum. Not that they didn’t play well, I just wouldn’t know. Because I fuckin’ missed them. Because I was an hour fuckin’ late at the venue, The Garage, on Highbury Corner! Why was I an hour late for the band I wanted to see that night, the band I came for in the first place? Well not because I was a sloth and looked on my watch too late before I left! It was because the Neckbreaker’s Ball tour site stated the show would kick off at 5:45 pm, while in reality the show commenced at 4:45 pm.

Here’s another one of those bands that I’ve seen or heard about for quite some time but for whatever reason never got around to giving a serious listen until a couple of months ago. Once again I could just punch myself in the dick for not doing it sooner.

Melechesh formed in Israel way back in ’93 and have put out five full-lengths and two EPs to date. It is said that at some point they relocated to The Netherlands due to conflict with the strictly religious people of their home Jerusalem among other reasons. They play a mix of Black and Death Metals infused with loads of Middle Eastern Folk melodies.

[Important note: If you think you're having a deja-vu, you're right. We already published this before. However, Joris has agreed to answer an additional batch of questions, following on his earlier answers. We've just updated the interview with this additional content, in which we talked about Batavi, the band's upcoming album. So, if you've already read it, read it again! And yes, what Joris says about trains going to 'the Achterhoek' is true. As a native 'Achterhoeker' I know this from experience.]

You may remember from a while ago that we discussed Heidevolk, a Folk Metal band from my homeland. Specifically we introduced you to the song Nehalennia, found on Uit Oude Grond, the band’s March 2010 released album and their latest to date.

Smart fucker that I am it gave me the idea to contact the band and shoot them some questions. One of two vocalists, Joris Boghtdrincker (Joris “Drinker of Plunk”) replied with some mighty elaborate and interesting answers. We spoke about their roots and motivation, why they sing in Dutch and as a thick juicy cherry on top Joris mentioned the recording stage of their upcoming record, Batavi, is coming to a close.

“Nekrogoblikon are an American Folk/Death Metal outfit from California. As you might have guessed from the name they sing about Goblins, mainly, which seems quite original, but when you come to think of it it’s quite a cliché.

I’ve seen quite a few reviews of this album that wonder whether this is some parody on Finntroll or whether this is a serious attempt at making Folk Metal. I don’t care whether it is one or the other. If it’s a Finntroll parody, then it’s a good one.

Admittedly I took this news from NCS (bottom of the post). Shame on me, as a Dutchman and as someone originally from Gelderland, where the Saxons rule, drink beer and rape your women. I should have my skull split by a huge fuckin’ axe, I know.

Folk / Pagan outfit Heidevolk – meaning Heath Folk or Heath People – sings about the history of Gelderland, the region that’s now one of the twelve Dutch provinces, and which was full of tough motherfuckers in (pre-)medieval times. Their stuff is covered with a sauce of ancient Germanic mythology and serves it up in a superbly heroic fashion. The “news” is that they have an album out since we last dealt with with at The Baboon. It’s called Uit Oude Grond (From Old Soil) and came out in March of 2010… Someone bash me with a warhammer please.

Anyfuck, they did a music video for the album’s opening song and that’s what we found at NCS and would like to pass on after the jump.

Won’t be long now. Skálmöld – kudos to motig for warning us for them – a band of not-even-so-very-bearded Icelandic Vikings has set off on its quest to conquer Metalheads worldwide. The fresh, meaning they formed only in 2009, band from the island’s capital of Reykjavik released its debut album, Baldur, locally in late 2010. In late July of this year, they released it worldwide through Nuclear Blast.

If you’ve ever heard Viking Metal, this’ll go over and beyond. The album is fully in Icelandic, which apparently is the one remaining language closest to the Vikings’ Old Nordic. A very befitting language for their game then.