Equilibrium - Sagas (Nuclear Blast Records) - Back
In 2001, Equilibrium formed to play one lonely show, but after a great response from the crowd they decided to continue their handiwork. After a couple years this Bavarian creation put out their 2003 demo and another couple years later they put out their first album “Turis Fratyr” on Black Attakk. It has now been 3 years since their last output. To some it would seem to be way to long, but for the patient, it was worth the wait.

Now on Nuclear Blast Records, Equilibrium has put out a new studio effort entitled “Sagas”. The album is comprised of dramatic and positively charged dark music taking elements from pagan, folk, black and symphonic metal to put forth their brand of the metal arts. Equilibrium is like a more distinctive version of bands like Finntroll, Korpiklaani, Ensiferum and Eluveitie. Even traces of band like Bal-Sagoth, Amorphis and Blind Guardian can be heard.

Taking a dynamic approach the band arrangements are entertaining and full of sound. Don’t expect to hear a dull point on this disc… it simply isn’t there. Some parts are unusual in metal but you won’t here me complaining. If it sounds good, why should it matter. Right?

The opening track kind of sets the mood for the album and includes a lot of which is used throughout the disc…a flowing atmosphere, triumphant & majestic keys, along with some aggressive parts thrown in the mix. However there is much more on this epic journey. Galloping riffs and blistering fast-blackened riffs are all over this album and are used in contrast of each other quite well. The keys really set the tone of each song nicely and play off the other instruments very cohesively, almost as if the instruments were dancing with each other. Vocally it’s kept mostly at the extreme variety with blackened screams and growls used habitually with some guttural death vox, chants and spoken word used as well.

There are a few other things worthy of noting on this disc. The album features a guest appearance by Ulrich Herkenhoff, who is said to be “one of the most famous pinpipe players and can be heard on the soundtrack of “The Lord of the Rings - Return of the King.” “Sagas” also features a violin solo by Agnes Malich, deputy concertmaster of the Augsburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

This is a really fun album to listen too. Equilibrium packed so much into the 80 minutes and 13 tracks that you feel that you need to keep listening to the album that you’re afraid that you may have missed something good. Pagan and folk metal fans you need to listen to “Sagas,” you will not be disappointed! I think this will be on many people’s top metal albums for 2008.

Rating: 93

Reviewed By: Jeffrey D. Adkins