Band:	Suidakra
Album:	Caledonia
Style:	Melodic death metal, Folk metal
Release date:	November 17, 2006
A review by:	Jeff

01. Highland Hills
02. A Blackened Shield
03. The Ember Deid (Part II)
04. Evoke The Demon
05. Forth-Clyde
06. Ramble [instrumental]
07. Dawning Tempest
08. The Distant Call
09. On Torrid Sand
10. The IXth Legion
11. Farewell

Let's be honest, the last album of the German Suidakra, "Command To Charge", was a big disappointment. I still don't understand why an original good band like Suidakra had to turn into the dark side of sell out Gothenburg Death Metal, it was really sad. But only stupid people don't want to recognize mistakes, and obviously Suidakra did its mea culpa and chose to return to its Folk roots with their new album, Calediona. It's good to see that you're back guys?

As you can guess with its name, "Caledonia" (aka Scotland) is inspired by Pict tribes' wars against the Roman Empire and its famous emperor Hadrian. If we must talk about Caledonia, you'll agree with me to say that we cannot avoid Pagan and Folk music right? Don't worry my friends, Suidakra, with the come back of their clean vocal singer and guitarist Marcel, is back to its Folk Death Metal music and yes, you'll be able to hear again, folk guitars or bagpipes in addition of heavy guitars. But even if Suidakra plays "Folk", it doesn't mean that the album lacks of energy. "Forth-Clyde" with its big and heavy guitar riffs is a great song of Melodic Death Metal and that the same with the other hits of the album like "Highland Hills which is however a bit more "folky".

Caledonia is not only a matter of music, we have also some real full nice ambiances on this release too. You'll be able to hear sounds of animals, storms, wages etc. Some songs, especially the ballads ("The Distant Call") or breaks like "Ramble" are really peaceful but they never are "too much", and fits perfectly to the whole story of the album. When I listen to this album I really have the feeling that I'm back into the lands of antic Scotland and I must congratulate the band which found a way, through its music, to give this fantastic feeling.

Even if "Caledonia" doesn't really give something new to the musical career of the German combo, it's really good to see that they found the way to come back to their Folk Death music. Plus, "Caledonia" is a good album anyway, with a lot of great songs and amazing ambiances. If "Command To Charge" disappointed you, you must know that you can forget it now, Suidakra is back with a really good album of Folk Metal. Folk Metal lovers, old or new fans of Suidrakra, this album is a must for you.