Band:	Alkonost
Album:	Pesni Vechnogo Dreva
Style:	Pagan folk metal
Release date:	February 22, 2007
A review by:	Jeff

01. Gody Predskazaniy
02. Solntse Nashei Zemli
03. Bei, Molot!
04. V Serdtse Legendy...
05. K Rodimoi Storone
06. Pir Otsov
07. Radugi Krai
08. Den Posledniy Moi

If I must give you the name of a Russian band that I particularly like, I will talk about Alkonost. The Russian combo is not really famous but all people who use to listen to Folk and Pagan music know this really good band which uses to releases excellent albums years after years. Released in 2007, "Pesni Vechnogo Dreva" is actually partially composed of re-recorded songs from the beginning of the career of Alkonost. It's not easy to find their first demos so of course this CD is really interesting for the fans but I think that it can also be a good way for new people to discover a really beautiful and emotive Metal act.

Even if "Pesni Vechnogo Dreva" is composed of old songs, you shouldn't be disturbed by this release because all the ingredients of the music of Alkonost are featured on the CD. One more time, the music is slow and melancholic with an alternation of Death vocals and female operatic vocals. This is of course really beautiful, especially when Alena sings during the choruses but the music of Alkonost is also violent on a side and the "Doom" side that we can find on each songs is particularly interesting. Even if Alkonost can be considered as a Folk band with keyboards and flutes they're at the total opposite of a festive Korpiklaani. Here the music is extremely sad, dark and oppressing and I think that all the people who likes Alkonost, love the band in reason of this aspect. The music of Alkonost is really mystic and the fact that the singers sing in Russian give something more to the mythological aspect of their music. Really "Pesni Vechnogo Dreva" is composed of great songs (especially "Gody Predskazaniy" and "V Serdtse Legendy...") and if you like dark medieval melodies, Doom Metal and Pagan spirit, I'm sure that you'll like a lot this release.

I don't really like re-recordings in general but it was probably a good idea to do such work here. First because the sound is really good but also because Alena wasn't in the line-up at the beginning of Alkonost and the interpretations with her voice are clearly better because she gives an angelical aspect to the music which is simply delicious. If you add that one more time the cover artwork is excellent which some beautiful drawings I just cannot add anything else to pray the release. Maybe that the songs, which are a bit repetitive and insistent, can be a bit boring for some of you especially if you want "happy" music, but all in all we're in front of great melodies so I won't whine anymore and only say that "Pesni Vechnogo Dreva" is a must.

If you're into Folk and medieval Metal, "Pesni Vechnogo Dreva" is a must. This re-released version is excellent and will please all the fans of Alkonost like the ones who will discover them through this release. Beautiful, poetic and delightful, "Pesni Vechnogo Dreva" is a real must. Don't miss it if you need to pass a touching and magical moment.