Varangian Way (Director's Cut) - Turisas

...latest album from Turisas, The Varangian Way, I was blown away.

=== Initial Thoughts ===

I had read the review in Metal Hammer, and thought it sounded good - I'd already had experience of their previous work and thought this would be for me. I went out and bought it, and slipped the disc into my player. The opening bars of 'To Holmgard And Beyond' crashed out through the speakers, instantly stimulating. First listen ...
...added it to my play list and continued listening to it with regularity.

=== A Breakthrough ===

However, the real joy for me came when I listened hard to the lyrics, and imagined I was in the middle of the story, rowing along with 'Hakon' and dancing 'In The Court Of Jarisleif'. Another excellent point of this album is the amount of detail the lyrics delve into, regarding the story of the historical pilgrimage told here.
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I first got into Turisas with their debut full-length, Battle Metal. However, when purchasing the latest album from Turisas, The Varangian Way, I was blown away.

Initial Thoughts

I had read the review in Metal Hammer, and thought it sounded good - I'd already had experience of their previous work and thought this would be for me. I went out and bought it, and slipped the disc into my player. The opening bars of 'To Holmgard And Beyond' crashed out through the speakers, instantly stimulating. First listen through I thought of it as a great album musically, added it to my play list and continued listening to it with regularity.

A Breakthrough

However, the real joy for me came when I listened hard to the lyrics, and imagined I was in the middle of the story, rowing along with 'Hakon' and dancing 'In The Court Of Jarisleif'. Another excellent point of this album is the amount of detail the lyrics delve into, regarding the story of the historical pilgrimage told here.

This, for me is what a concept album should be like. It is still an album of music, but the lyrics tell the story, not talking. Listening in order is a must for this album, as it tells a story, and it would be pointless to have an end before the beginning!

Extras

There are also three bonus tracks on this version of the album - although one, situated after the main album is a minute of silence, to distinguish between the story and the excellent cover of Boney M.'s disco classic 'Rasputin'. There is also a shorter, single edit of 'To Holmgard And Beyond'; although why this exists I am not too sure. The DVD has some good footage of some festival appearances, and other clips.

Overall, I feel this is a great album to buy for fans of metal - musically it's not strictly metal but the vocals would probably put off those that are not a fan of the vocal style found here. In my opinion, this 'Director's Cut' edition offers little extra to those who already have the album but diehard fans of Turisas, but it is worthwhile to pay the extra pound or so if you do not own the original album. 

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