The pagan metallers from Cuba are back with their
epic third album, entitled “Fides Celtiberia.” The album was independently
released, although I’m pretty sure it won’t be long before a label picks it up,
as it is a masterpiece through and through. If memory serves, Helgrind is one of the first bands
I heard from Cuba. Their previous album “Return to Motherland” was a truly memorable
experience of triumphant Black/Viking metal, and the new album is no less
impressive with its discharge of fierce melodies, epic choruses and all-around
excellent songwriting. “Fides Celtiberia” strikes a seamless balance
between all-out aggression and more sombre moments – which are quite captivating
to say the least – although when it gets heavy, it gets HEAVY. So that’s
definitely an aspect I appreciate about this album. The leads and guitar work are one of the focal
points of the album and convey so much emotion that you almost feel like you
are embarking on a journey to medieval times, and that’s exactly what the
album manages to do: it exudes an ancient atmosphere, and the clean choruses
add another dimension of depth to the whole experience. The black metal vocals are well done and stand out
in the mix, reminding me of Werewolf of Satanic Warmaster. Sure, there are
obvious black metal elements, and there’s no denying that fans of the genre
might even find this appealing, although given the rather clear production and
folk elements in the music, I feel that Blackened Viking metal or Pagan Metal
are probably more apt descriptors.
The band doesn’t forget to show off their old-school
side, as there are some thrash elements thrown in as well, but these guys
definitely have experience when it comes to composing metal with compositional
depth, as I was fully immersed for the entire duration of “Fides Celtiberia”,
whether I was raising my fist to the sing-along choruses or banging my head to the heavier, more
brutal moments – everything you need in a metal album is here. Truth be told, I've never really been a big fan of
folk-infused black metal, but Helgrind have made me a fan. “Fides Celtiberia”
is a truly unforgettable experience and one of those albums you should
definitely own a physical copy of. One of the greatest metal albums the
underground has to offer in 2024. Stand-out tracks: “A Spanish Son” “Pride, Blood
and Honor” “Great Kingdom of Ancient Land”
