Band:	KerIferN
Album:	KerIferN
Style:	Folk metal
Release date:	2005
A review by:	wrathchild

01. Norther Than North
02. En Argoll
03. Head Hunter
04. Ember Of Past

You read it guys, this band plays Gaulish metal! Err, wait, what is it supposed to be? Gauls are French ancestors, French Vikings if you prefer, you know like Asterix. So that would mean KerIferN plays a sort of folk metal, but that's not how it sounds actually.

This first demo of this young band has nothing to do with Gauls, except for the song "En Argoll", with its acoustic passage and its lyrics written in Breton (with the exception of the first sentences, in Finnish) but with Vikings, sailing from their cold lands before invading other countries' taverns. Their Gaulish trend can be seen in their stage outfits, and I guess that it will affect the music more and more as time will pass by.

The core of their music is black and thrash metal, sometimes a bit closer to heavy than to thrash. There are some melodic leads and solos here and there as well as guitar duets and thrashy breaks that push the songs forward, bringing variety and dynamism. "Norther Than North" is a good example of that dynamism, and "En Argoll" of the variety they can bring.
Even though all the instruments can clearly be heard, the production is far from being top-notch. The drums sound a bit too flat, especially the toms (which are well used, that's a good thing) and the voice could have been better recorded (but note that the drummer is in charge of the vocals, which is difficult).

KerIferN has a good concept to develop and they seem to have the motivation needed to do it. Their first demo sets the basics for their future, and after having listened to it many times I can tell you they can compose those powerful catchy riffs we all praise, much to my liking.