Ren Marabou and the Berserkers is a Pagan Metal band from the Emerald Isle, based in Co. Donegal’s hills. In 2024, Ren Marabou released their fifth studio album, Holy Mountain (Helgafjell) 1, based on Norse Mythology with fine detail on historical facts and accurate Norse Mythology findings and scriptures. Holy Mountain was released through WormHoleDeath Records.
Introduction:
Ren Marabou and the Berserkers, Holy Mountain: This review will evaluate every aspect of the album, from its intricate musical composition to its production. Our analysis will provide valuable insights to help you determine if this album is worth adding to your collection.
The First Three Sins of Holy Mountain
Let’s start by discussing the first three sins of Ren Marabou and the Berserkers and their Holy Mountain album.
The First Sin, The Strings/Keys: Characterised by aggressive riffage work punctuated by heavy breakdowns and pinch harmonics. Incorporates brief lute interludes that lead into melodic solos and dynamic choruses, adding a layer of complexity and depth to his music. The Second Sin, The Vocals: Involves a harsh and old-school metal vibe. The Third Sin—The Percussions: Powerful and commanding war drums, with various beats, fills, strikes, and patterns.
The Fourth Sin: Overall Discussion: Historical facts and accurate Norse Mythology findings and scriptures
Upon pressing play, The Journeys Of Rig opens with a fierce instrumental solo and rough vocals, taking the listener on a thrilling adventure.
The listener continues their epic conclusion with the second piece, Ren’s Hall. The eight remaining pieces take the listener on a journey where the theme and topics of this album Holy Mountain (Helgafjell) are based on Norse Mythology with fine detail put on historical facts and accurate Norse Mythology findings and scriptures. The theme of this album is Life, Death, and particularly the Norse Mythology Afterlife.
Ren Marabou and the Berserkers is a band that will leave you feeling energized and pumped up. From the moment you hit the play button, their music hits you hard and does not let up. While most pagan/folk metal bands incorporate traditional instruments to create a unique sound, Ren Marabou and the Berserkers takes a different approach. As a three-piece band, they focus on playing heavy and aggressive metal music, with a lyrical emphasis on the Viking Age. This sound is reminiscent of the eighties three-piece line-up, adding to the band’s classic appeal.
Ren Marabou and the Berserkers sound and production are well-executed and floor-to-perfect. Every tone, note, and vibration of the strings/drum strikes and vocals echoed through one’s speakers.
For the instrumentation provided by three pagan-metal warriors, the devilmanship comprises Terence McCann on the war drums. Meanwhile, Michael CasserlyI’s bass playing fills in the gaps and provides a solid foundation for the music with his captivating riffs.
Lastly, Ren Marabou handles both the vocals and guitar work. Ren‘s guitar and vocals skills are nothing short of this fruit of art. His harsh and old-school metal vibe that perfectly captures the essence of the lyrics. He infuses each song with its distinctive feel, breathing life into every note with his powerful vocal delivery.
Within the musical spectrum, various sound effects, tempos, and atmospheres impact the music.
The band Ren Marabou and the Berserkers is not necessarily Viking or Pagan metal, but a standard metal band with a theme based on the Viking age. But I get that aggression and some/tint of that melodic vibe of Amon Amarth within Ren Marabou and the Berserkers music.
Their latest album, Ren Marabou and the Berserkers, is a remarkable fruit of art and should be listened to attentively. With their raw energy and thundering sound, Ren Marabou and the Berserkers is a band that should not be ignored.
The album comes to an end with the last song, Holy Mountain (Helgafjell). This piece is about Ren’s Dad, who lived and died as a warrior, a mighty man with the heart of a lion. Now resides in one of many Norse Afterlife ‘The Holy Mountain’ where the good live blissfully for eternity. Thus, the album is not just heavy, dark, new, fresh, or enjoyable -but also a touching piece of fruit of art.
We want to give a shoutout to WormHoleDeath for letting us review the Ren Marabou and the Berserkers and their Holy Mountain album. Now, we’re going to wrap it up by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.
You’re Listening to “Holy Mountain (Helgafjeff)”
PlayThe last Three Sins
Let’s discuss the last three sins, our thoughts on Ren Marabou and the Berserkers and their Holy Mountain album.
The Fifth Sin, The Memorabilia: Is that for us, As we listened to Ren Marabou and the Berserkers, as we mentioned before, we could not help but notice that their music is more than just Viking/Pagan or Folk Metal. But an aggressive and dynamic heavy metal with a Viking/pagan theme characterises the band’s unique sound, something new, fresh, and enjoyable.
Among the tracks, we particularly enjoyed the eighth song, The Duel Of Flint And Steel. The music stands out with its intense and dynamic choruses from the guitar that create an epic and powerful atmosphere, making it a pure headbanging, loud anthem song you cannot help but get lost in.
The other enjoyable song was the closing song, Holy Mountain (Helgafjell); how the vocal and instrumental work is done differently -darker, and the music captures the lyric theme of the song!
The Sixth Sin, The Artwork:
The artwork speaks and captures every aspect of the music, lyrics, and theme.
The Seventh Sin, Disrelish:
Nothing to disrelish within the musical spectrum of Ren Marabou and the Berserkers, and their album Holy Mountain.
This concludes the Ren Marabou and the Berserkers, Holy Mountain review.
Track-Listing:
- The Journeys Of Rig
- Ran’s Hall
- The Price Of Glory
- Curse Striker
- Gramr the Bloodstained Beast
- In The Hall of Gimle
- Live and Die by the Sword (Einherjar)
- The Duel of Flint and Steel
- Idunn the Ever Young
- Holy Mountain (Helgafjell)
Ren Marabou and the Berserkers is:
- Ren Marabou – vocals & guitar
- Terence McCann – drums
- Michael Casserly – bass
- Dedicated to Ren’s Father, Micka, who passed in September 202 ↩︎
