Pagansaev/Pööriööl/Warhorn Records/2025 Full length Review

 

  Pagansarv  are  a  duo  form  Estonia  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  pagan  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Pööriööl"  which  was  released  by  Warhorn  Records.

  Nature  sounds  and  tortured  voices  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  vocals  are  done  in  more  of  an  angry  black  metal  style  mixed  in  with  some  growls.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  faster  riffing  they  also  give  the  album  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  some  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  pagan  metal  singing,  synths  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  and  when  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  melodic  style..  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Estonian  and  cover  Paganism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Pagansarv  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  pagan  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Elusügis"  "Varjusoopad  Ja  Raevuhauad"  and  "Sumedus ". 8  out  of  10.

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Pagansarv Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

 

A: Hello and thank you for your interest.

Pagansarv is an Estonian black metal band and it was created in 2021 as a one man studio project. Actually it is an older band with a new name as my writing style changed and the band`s old name “Worse Than Failure” just did not fit anymore. Before it was more death metal but now there are more black metal riffs mixed with other styles.

To have Pimedus as a singer was a no brainer cause we have worked together before and I knew his vocals very well.

So basically if you like black metal which goes from slow to fast, has some melodic parts with pagan themed lyrics, this should be your cup of tea for sure.

 

2.Recently you have released a full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

 

A: Yes, our album “Kaarnakarva” has been out for a week now. Actually this album is a mixture of old classics (mostly from Scandinavia) that I have been listening to over the years. There can be elements that are recognizable from here and there. Mostly from BM bands. I have never been into experimental and new crazy things. That can be heard on the record. So our style is more traditional. 

 

 

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

 

P: Main topics, as our deceptions of life and search of nature`s essence, contains criticism of great idealistic belief systems or faith in endless materialistic progress that fall down to basic human fears and denial of death themes. This mixture of our insanity has been added in lyrics with some true heathen symbolism.

 

 

4.Both of the band members are veterans in the Estonian black metal scene, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Pagansarv' that you were not able to do with your other bands?

 

A: Both of us have been holding our heads quite low for some time now and it was time to show that we are not dead and gone. That is the main reason for that record. As I mentioned before, I was writing more death metal earlier. So what we could or could not do previously was not the case.

 

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Pagansarv'?

 

A: As Estonians have always liked to do things their own way, then “Pagan” is a symbol of freedom and free will. “Sarv - Horn”, is a symbol of nature and all living things that surrounds us. 

 

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

 

A: That painting I got from a famous local artist Lembit Sarapuu (90 years old). It was painted by his mother in the 60s. And I fell for it as I saw it on TV for the first time.

This art shows exactly how beautiful Estonian nature is and it is filled with forest and lakes.

 

7.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

 

A: I think we will stay as a duo right now. Don't see any need for a change. Will see what is going to happen in the future.

 

8.The album was released on 'Warhorn Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

 

Right now this label is focused on releasing  Estonian underground music and introducing it to the world. Just pure heart and good will from one man assisted by other underground musicians. Big props to him. It is a small label that has a big future, I am sure of it. 

 

9.On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and pagan metal?

 

It has been a big surprise actually. All feedback I have heard so far has been only positive. 

Sorry, I lied. One person told me that he did not like one bass drum pattern, but I don`t count that because it was a friend. Hopefully more people will find our music and let us be part of their lives.

 

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

 

I am positive that I want to make music that is not just one style. I am not that much of a true black metal person but definitely it will be black metal mostly, cause this is where my heart is.

 

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

 

I mostly listen to BM right now. It has found a place in me. If I have to pick a few favourites I would say Whoredom Rife and Nordjevel. Of Course there are many legendary bands that I like. If you listen to Pagansarv then you will find out yourself. 

 

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

 

Support music and other art forms!

 https://warhorn.bandcamp.com/album/kaarnakarva

https://www.facebook.com/pagansarvofficial

Pagansarv/Kaarnakarva/Warhorn Records/2021 FUll Length Review

 

  Pagansarv  are  a  duo  from  Estonia  that  plays  a  pagan  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Kaarnakarva"  which  will  be  released  in  June  by  Warhorn  Records.

  Rain  and  thunder  sounds  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a v ery  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  Clear  pagan  vocals  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  album  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  the  music  also  adding  in a   great  amount  of  90's  influences  but  also  keeping  ti  very  modern  at  the  same  time  and  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  the  outro.

  Pagansarv  plays  a  style  of  pagan  black  metal  that  is  very  fast,  aggressive  and  melodic  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Estonian  and  cover  Paganism  and  Melancholy  themes.    

  In  my  opinion  Pagansarv  are  a  very  great  sounding  pagan  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Surnute  Marrs"  "Ussimurki"  and  "Kaarnakarva".  8  out  of  10.

https://warhorn.bandcamp.com/album/kaarnakarva

https://www.facebook.com/pagansarvofficial