Description
The Return, the new album from Canadian folk metal group Mongol, is a concept album written about a Mongolian Prophecy that states that Genghis Khan will return from the grave to complete his conquest of the world. On the album, the band explore what the Great Khan’s return to the modern world would look like. The world appears to have two very different perceptions of the Mongol Empire, most believe that it was a brutal warmongering Empire; conversely it was also among the most progressive and liberal Empires of its time. Both perceptions are true, and Mongol try to encapsulate that essence of duality in their music. On the album you’ll find melodic harmonies that conjure imagery of the vast glory of a great united Empire, and the raw beauty of her homeland; but you will also hear ruthless thundering rhythms that recall the reckless unbridled violence of battle.
The main instrumental ideas of the songs were written by lead guitarist, Zev (Luke Barry), who worked with the drummer, Bourchi (Kenton Barry), to further form the songs. Zev then recorded bare bones instrumental versions of the songs, which were then sent out to the rest of the band members to add their own touch to the music – Sorkhon Sharr (Josh Blackburn) on bass, Zelme (Thomas Quiring) on rhythm guitar, Sche-Khe (Dayton Barry) on keys/orchestration, and Tev Tegri (Brandon Knott) on lyrics/vocals. After having come together to practice and give the songs their final shape, the band recorded the album with Diego Fernandez at Oracle Studios. There final touches were added, such as banjo tracks, gang vocals, harmonies, etc. Diego is also responsible for the mixing of the album, which was afterwards sent to Lasse Lammert at LSD-Studios for mastering.
The band was also lucky enough to work with Dusty Peterson, who created artwork that expresses the album perfectly.
The Return | Released October 5th, 2018 on Sliptrick Records
Track Listing:
01. Prophecy Of The Blind | 02. The Return | 03. Sacrificial Rites | 04. Takhil | 05. Amongst The Dead | 06. To The Wind | 07. Dschingis Khan | 08.The Mountain Weeps | 09. River Child | 10. Warband
Mongol are:
Tev Tengri – Vocals | Zev – Guitar | Zelme – Guitar | Bourchi – Drums | Sorkhan Sharr – Bass | Sche-Khe – Keyboard/Folk Instruments
Band links: Facebook | Youtube | Twitter | Reverbnation | On Sliptrick
angrymetalguy.com –
Mongol‘s third record is a big one, worth tossing out pre-conceptions and tossing on year-end melodeath shortlists. I’ll readily admit that a bunch of pasty Canadians playing folky melodeath tinged with Eastern melodies is an odd combination. But Whispered make it work, and so do Mongol. Riffs don’t lie, and Mongol will cut the tongue from any mouth that calls them lacking in that oh-so-important area. For fans of melodeath and folk, you won’t find much better than The Return this year …read more
zwaremetalen.com –
Deze harige metaalhoofden weten een te gekke sfeer neer te zetten met de folkinvloeden uit Azië, zonder in te leveren op de onbetwistbare hoge kwaliteit metal. Ook de productie is van uitmuntende klasse. Alles is mooi in balans en de instrumenten zijn goed van elkaar te onderscheiden. Best knap voor een album waar elk nummer echt propvol is met verschillende tegelijk afspelende melodieën …read more
metalwinds.org –
Molto apprezzabili sono i numerosi richiami al mondo ancestrale e del folklore, che contribuiscono a rendere l’album per nulla banale e più interessante da ascoltare. Un ruolo predominante, infine, lo svolgono i più o meno brevi interventi puramente strumentali che, in generale, introducono anche il fattore epico all’interno di un prodotto già di per sé eterogeneo …read more
folk-metal.nl –
Due to the name of the band perhaps you could expect some throat singing as a common representation of Mongolian folklore, but their melodies could bring that unique personality that differentiates this album from others in the current folk-metal scene …read more
permafrost.today –
The world appears to have two very different perceptions of the Mongol Empire, most believe that it was a brutal warmongering Empire, conversely it was also among the most progressive and liberal empires of its time. Both perceptions are true, and Mongol try to encapsulate that essence of duality in their music. Intertwined within the tracks, you’ll find melodic harmonies that conjure imagery of the vast glory of a great united Empire. In addition there are much raw beauty, but you will also hear ruthless thundering rhythms that recall the reckless unbridled violence of battle …read more
themedianmanblog –
“River Child,” another great song, merging musical components together, and slowly edging toward the formation of damnation. An absolute belter. “Warband,” an epic closer. Filled with soaring melodies and riffs, dancing grooves, biting snakes, and a forge filled with fire. A fitting closer, and one that reflects the spirit of this entire album …read more
sjevernastravazine –
This album is excellent and I am really happy to discover the music of Mongol and becoming the fan of this band and their story. I heartily recommend this album. Top songs: Amongst The Dead, The Mountain Weeps.
darkdoomgrinddeath.blogspot.com –
In my opinion this is another great sounding recording from Mongol and if you are a fan of folk, melodic black and death metal, you should check out this album …read more