"...A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the forest's canopy as night began to fall. A man, called Shamgar by some, wandered along a hunter's trail, almost overgrown by the forest's lush undergrowth, the sound of his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet of pine needles and leaves underfoot. Shamgar carried a falcon, named Slechtvalk, on one leather-gloved wrist. A small leather hood covered the bird's head, and although it could not see, its sensitive hearing still detected the distant call of an owl on the wind. At times, Shamgar stopped to calm the anxious falcon, caressing its feathers with one callused hand, murmuring soft words..." Thus begins the tale that sets the stage for this haunting album. One cannot help but love the sweeping orchestral arrangements that are dynamically bombasted by a furious black metal attack. From the beautiful artwork by Little Rose's Manu Lehtinen to each well crafted note played on the piano to the multi-effected vocals, everything here is beautiful . . . beautifully intense. Available at a myriad of mail-order places (Rad Rockers, Rowe Productions, Nascent Frost Productions, Cross Rhythms Music), so you can already tell there's a demand.
Other coverage for this album
Art for the Ears 2000Reviewed by Marco PovervestSlechtvalk is the Dutch name of a certain falcon. To be precise, the Falco Peregrinus. A book I consulted says "no other bird of prey strikes its victims so much into fear, has such a raging speed and kills in such an advanced and fast manner". So, the Slechtvalk is a bird of extremes. Shamgar, mastermind behind Slechtvalk, was apparently inspired by this bird to name his latest project…Similar sounding releases
2000SanctificaSpirit Of Purity
2003Crimson MoonlightThe Covenant Progress
2002MegiddonIncidents Before the Time
1998AntestorThe Return of the Black Death
1998KekalBeyond The Glimpse Of Dreams
1996KohllapseKohllapse
