Mongolian Folk Metal. Just take that in for a second. Mongolian. Folk. Metal. What is that we hear you ask? That is exactly what Tengger Cavalry are and here they are with their fifth album Blood Sacrifice Shaman which is actually a rerecording of their debut with extras. Are you with us still? Good because this is well worth a listen!
‘Соёмбо (Hymn of the Mongolian Totem)’ is an intro made up of drums beating, gradually growing and adding layers of instrumentation this is quickly followed by the chugging guitars of self titled track ‘Tengger Cavalry’. The guitars and blast beats are intertwined with traditional instruments, chants and traditional throt singing. It is at this point you realise this is like no metal, be it folk or anything that you have ever heard before.
These tracks mix up the old folk sounds with the modern metal vibes that follow are very similar formula of heavy, fast guitar riffing and drums with the folk sat over the top. It does sound impressive but it never really strays from the path. Luckily many of these heavier tracks are broken up by some just pure traditional Mongolian folk, tracks like ‘Rootless’ and ‘The Native. It gives the album more depth and stops it from getting monotonous.
We are treated to two bonus tracks, both original versions of two of the tracks you find earlier on the album with ‘Tengger Cavalry’ and also the title track. Although the recording is much rougher, the folk aspect not as spiritual and flowing. This is MUCH heavier and, dare we say it, better than the new versions. They are much more urgent, nasty, ‘metal’ even. It is only really here on these bonus tracks you really feel any real personality of the creators of the music.
All in all this is a very original metal album and God knows we need this. At parts it is beautiful, parts nasty and sadly at parts it does get a bit boring but we do say go out and give it a listen. Open your mind and ears and you will find something intriguing to say the least.
