\nA peal of drums announces the arrival of the reivers from north of the border, Norderobring<\/strong>: the Scottish six-piece\u2019s enthusiasm soon overcoming nerves for a fun, if short set of melodic folk metal. Female-fronted local heroes Cryptic Age<\/strong> infuse prog metal with Celtic folk elements in an authentically innovative fashion, never dropping a note, despite hitting some glass-shattering high points. Windrider are the first of the festival\u2019s one-man bands playing with a live line-up, Elliot Vernon throwing us all by singing a solid set of folk\/Viking metal
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alchemyengland.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/nothgard.gif\" "\\"Nothgard\\"")
<\/a>wearing a dapper shirt and tie… [K.O.]<\/strong> Already establishing an impressive live reputation, Old Corpse Road<\/strong> draw a healthy crowd for their eerie, uniquely English invocation of the black, arcane secrets that lie beneath our green and pleasant land. Folk metal storytelling that\u2019s almost cinematic in its intensity, Old Corpse Road are a powerful, chilling experience. Highly recommended. The picture you see above\u00a0 is\u00a0Nothgard\u2019s<\/strong> folky Bavarian beerhall rhythms and muscular metal guitar threaten to lift the rafters more than once, but that mystical musical alcoholic alchemy remains tantalisingly just out-of-reach and, despite receiving reinforcements from their Teutonic compatriots in Wolfchant, tonight\u2019s capable performance falls a shave short of triumph. [G.B.]<\/p>\nDay Two<\/strong> The Warhorns weekend was a big success, and the organisers hope to make it a regular event, with another tentatively scheduled for the autumn of 2013. Meanwhile, we\u2019re no strangers to the siren song of the Valkyries here at Alchemy, as the multitude of battleaxes, wolves, runes and Thor\u2019s hammers to be found in our catalogue can attest. Anyone hoping to add a little Dark Age dash to their look will find plenty to tempt them. We\u2019re particularly proud of the Alchemy Ossa Ravenhead Belt Buckle [B37] <\/b><\/i>which would look good girding the loins of any berserker, while no war god could fail to be flattered if toasted with our Viking Horn pewter tankard [AAT25].<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n And as a taster for the coming Spring, here\u2019s a sneak look at the development of a spectacular new Metal-Wear piece, the Thor\u2019s Hammer buckle. Beginning with a sketch of the original idea… The picture below then shows the model being carved by one of the Alchemy artisans. Just wait and see the resulting, hand-forged, pewter hardware in the new year!<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nAloeswood and Desiderium<\/strong> \u2013 one-man post-black metal projects hailing from opposite sides of the Atlantic \u2013 perform live using the same band, delivering intricate, introspective and sophisticated sets that help set the atmosphere for a day of epic sounds. While by no means devoid of promise, sadly Morlich<\/strong> and Shallow Intentions<\/strong> rather suffer from being a bit similar, the sets melding into each other somewhat, and at this early stage in their respective careers can only really boast the odd powerful moment. The Emerald Isle\u2019s Celtachor<\/strong> turn in the first truly formidable folk metal set of the day, combining thunderous potency, stirring melody and tin whistles (!). Next up, Ravenage<\/strong> seize the stage like homecoming conquering heroes with their brand of epic, upbeat pagan metal, with frontman \u2013 and co-organiser of Warhorns \u2013 Glyn evidently having a whale of a time as the beer really starts to flow. Belgium\u2019s Angeli Di Pietra\u2019s<\/strong> scattergun lyrical approach to history and folklore carries across well, whilst their contagious cocktail of Euro-power-metal and pure enthusiasm really get people moving. [K.O.]<\/strong> Wolfchant are as heavy as chainmail with balls the size of Norse longships, the Bavarians taking few prisoners in a barbarian onslaught that left the faithful breathless and grinning.
\nWhile lacking some of the traditional instrumentation evident on their recorded material, Latvia\u2019s Skyforger<\/strong> [pictured on the left] \u2013 perhaps the most eagerly anticipated act of the weekend \u2013 don\u2019t disappoint. Gentle folk rhythms circle down and collide with screaming guitars, taking the crowd on a musical journey to somewhere strange, cold and bleak, yet also enchanting and curiously familiar\u2026 [G.B.]<\/p>\n<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n