ALBUM REVIEW: Y Gododdin – The Wolves Of Avalon
The epic, medieval Welsh poem Y Gododdin, traditionally ascribed to the bard Aneirin, is a series of elegies to the warriors of the Brittonic kingdom of Gododdin, who died fighting the Germanic Angles of Deira and Bernicia (Modern day Northumbria) at a place named Catraeth in about AD 600. It is mostly the preserve of scholars but in recent times new editions and translations of this epic, sorrowful and mournful poem have been published for the masses. Now the Hertfordshire quartet THE WOLVES OF AVALON have channelled their inner medieval bards to bring this illustrious poem to life with intricate and captivating compositions that take you back to that fateful battlefield, where Mynyddog Mwynfawr’s men became carrion food on the field of Catraeth.
When you read Y Gododdin you are struck by its sorrowful beauty, 300 men ride out in the defence of their realm against intruding Germanic tribes. The way it is crafted brings these people to life in your mind, and it’s hauntingly human. THE WOLVES OF AVALON have demonstrated that they also feel the same. Never too far from a riff is a sombre, melancholic atmospheric melody that brings the vivid battle to life and the savage consequences of its aftermath. In a dark yet anthemic album, the folk elements really shine through on Y Gododdin, as this is a shorter and sharper album than what the band have put out before. Their prog influences interwoven with this epic poem also give it a new dynamic – the feeling that you are in the charge itself rushing towards your enemy, whilst some areas of the album see you embodying a mournful survivor (of which the number is disputed between one and three), gazing across the hall with the thousand yard stare, lost in the waves of grief and tragedy.
Whilst its lyrical imagery is wonderfully captivating and the accompanying atmospheric passages trigger strong emotions for an oft forgotten past. The heavier sections don’t always capture that same magic. With so much effort going into crafting gloriously forlorn, ethereal vocal melodies and harmonies, diverting into black metal and having features from the likes of TAAKE on Men Of Gododdin feels like a bit of a detour that breaks the immersion slightly. When the song is more riff centric and venturing down the progressive, traditional rock and somewhat doomier path it feels more true to the emotions involved in the original poem. Whilst thrusting into full blown black metal is used to emphasise the battle itself, it doesn’t sit well with the concept material, which is a shame as THE WOLVES OF AVALON have gone out of their way to really emphasise their folkier and more atmospheric side in comparison to previous albums like 2014’s Boudicca’s Last Stand which is much more metal focused.
The album opens with Through The Murdering Night, which sets the scene and tone effortlessly. From the first plucked note to the opening poetic reading you’re intrigued about this mist-soaked landscape. The aforementioned Men Of Gododdin breaks the immersion slightly before the album traverses into its real atmospheric and epic core. The Shining Company, whilst still retaining the black metal vocals, feels more in line with what the album is wanting to achieve. Haunting atmospheres underpinned with a steady rock riff feels more natural for the concept and sets you up for the epic melodies in the latter half of the album.
Dead Men’s Cloaks is a poignantly triumphant song that transports you back to the fateful day; powerful vocals express the pain and sadness associated with the tragedy and destruction of those lives that were lost. Album closer Is This How It’s Meant To Be asks the poignant question, was this kingdom always doomed to fall? It is the stuff of fantastical medieval prophecy but THE WOLVES OF AVALON perfectly capture the sorrow of the survivor(s) with an incredible arrangement of violins, synths and ballad-esque guitars and piano. The final song is the shining light on the album, as it makes you reflect on the significance and tragedy of the battle before descending into the chaos of desolation caused by the battle’s aftermath as the Angles close in around the Brythonic peoples.
Y Gododdin is certainly an interesting interpretation of the poem and an enjoyable listening experience overall. THE WOLVES OF AVALON have done their best to vividly capture the vast array of complex emotions of untold glory and sorrow that the poem expresses. It just feels that more focus should have been towards their balladic atmospheres and vocals instead of shoe-horning metal sections into beautiful soundscapes. That way the album would be more befitting of the elegies of the Y Gododdin poem.
Rating: 6/10
Y Gododdin is set for release on November 25th via Godreah Records.
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