Helgrind - Fides Celtiberia
Cuba
Independent / Self-released
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” (Jim)