Vehemency
Stormheit's first proper full-length (previously released on tape with a different title, omitting a couple of tracks) Caelic Weold Finnum is an ambitious take on Bathory influenced folk black metal. Stormheit is all about ancestry, war and nature: the national romanticism is easy to hear.
And, at least musically, Stormheit succeeds very well. Wistful melodies are provided with an occasional touch of acoustic guitar and synths. A.O.:s drums are well handled and the overall impression of Caelic Weold Finnum is positive, but the main glitch here resides in the vocal department. The album is wholly cleanly sung, and while I respect his honest output, Stormheit’s singing is a bit awkward and young sounding. It is to be noted that Stormheit was undoubtedly rather young in 2006 when this album was captured, and has since developed. Not that the vocals were childish or anything, but when we are dealing with such topics as the glory of battle, one could expect more rough and, well, masculine output.
But if the listener can get past the vocals, Caelic Weold Finnum is a strong whole with many interesting melodies. Nothing exactly new is presented but the album moves from the beginning to the end nicely without any necessarily highlights, but neither any negative moments. I personally prefer the following album Kvenland, but this album is to be noted too. Fans of latter era Bathory, be sure to check out this epic act from Finland that is currently to release their much hyped third album in the following weeks.