JAPAN IMPORT !!
There are some bands out there that for one reason or another do not get the recognition they truly deserve. On a short list I would absolutely put Russia’s Pagan Reign in that discussion... The new album does seem like they have picked up where they have left off to an extent, but I think slightly more progressive and less frenzied, although they still have some of those machine gun blast beats. Three members remain from the old days-Oley, Vetrodar and Dimosthen-and they have put together another amazing album. There are tons of folk instruments at play here….actually too many to list but ocarina, mandolin and various recorders are just a few along with various Russian horns and flutes. While Tverd was much more traditionally based, Pagan Reign is much more metal and I think wisely on their part, lyrics are in English for wider appeal. There is tons of folkiness throughout however, so no worries. Vocally, the black/death styles are on display and in various forms….screechy, doomy, howls……and all used with equal strength... (folk-metal.nl)
