The percussion is flawlessly executed and manages to stay away from the “just keep blasting until the tape runs out” approach of many contemporary outfits. Incarnatus manages to incorporate these influences with enough of his own original style to keep this album continuously interesting and entertaining. Most of the riffs on the album recall a combination between the icy-driving feel of “A Blaze…” era Darkthrone and the epic black melodic-ism of early Burzum.

Pagan Hellfire wear their influences proudly on their sleeves and while this can leave many contemporary black metal albums feeling derivative and lifeless, “Solidarity” manages to shatter the stereotype. This is without a doubt one of the best 2nd wave throwback albums to have been released in the last 15 years. Well, as a matter of fact, both of these perfectly reasonable options are incorrect! Pagan Hellfire is actually one enigmatic Atlantic Canadian fellow by the name of Incarnatus… and I have it on good authority that this is a pseudonym. The inhuman vocals and spot on percussion (which would imply the branches belonging to said Tree Ents are being used as drumsticks) dictate that this is a likely possibility. Suffering Jesus! Someone must have forgotten this album buried amongst a cold Norwegian ruin right? I mean, how else do you explain how a band this excellent has managed to stay exceedingly unnoticed during a period of time that forces the average BM fan to flounder under a sea of mediocrity? Is this band comprised of 7 virgin-raping, Christ-munching, uber-druids? The absolutely astonishing title track would imply that yes- it is! Perhaps Pagan Hellfire is really a group of fjord-born, Tolkienesque Tree Ents manifested through black magick and handed conventional metal instruments.

Review Summary: An excellent modern Black Metal release worth its weight in gold for its truly astonishing title track.

Vengeance drum samples suck