THE SHIELD-WALL

When the fiends have come,
there is nowhere to hide.
I must swing my axe,
my brothers at my side.
Feeding on our own fear,
passions running high.
Fleeing not a choice.
Better to fight and die

In the shield-wall we stand,
to defend our land.
Holding on,
til the end

Brace the storm,
and keep the shining blades at bay.
Fight to let our kingdom,
live another day.
Heed the old ones' cries,
we must not let them down.
We will slaughter them,
to keep them from the crown

Flanas geseca me.
Ecga beata me.
Beornas wielda me.
Cyningas sind genered urh me

Iren gewunda me.
W pen deria me.
Cempa teora me.
Cynedom is gewered urh me

PROUD TO BE PROUD

When Offa spilled Myrging blood,
we were proud.
When Hengest routed the Wealas,
we were proud.
When Penda withstood The Cross,
we were proud.
When Alfred stayed the Danes,
we were proud

Heroes passed unto ye we give hail.
Mighty men without fear,without shame.
Some will say that our pride is a sin,
but in their name we'll unite,
and we're proud to be proud

When victory was won at Brunanburh,
we were proud.
When Byrhtnoth raised his sword,
we were proud.
When Harold destroyed Hardrada,
We were proud.
When Hereward defied the ,
we were proud

Slowly with time the past slips away,
but deep in our souls their memory stays.
Weapons of guilt won't conquer our minds,
just strengthen our will to defy

The ignorant void ever opening wide,
but we keep their names and spirits alive.
Arrows of fear won't conquer our minds,
just strengthen our will to defy

THE FOLK THAT TIME FORGOT

A withering flower without it's roots,
sadly passing away unloved.
Songs to sing and tales to tell,
vanishing into obscurity

A dwindling power bereft of soul,
quietly leaving the world behind.
Names to praise and sacred sites,
drifting away to nothingness

But we'll resist until the end,
til the last of us shall fall,
and we will love you til the end,
our folk that time forgot

love the way the lyrics evoke ancient places and kings etc, it's done with a close eye to detail too- stirring and proud thems that conjure up a poetic landscape of brutal vibrant life

Glad you like them. Will add more

ANCIENT VOICE

The winds of wisdom lash my face,
as I hail this open space.
Under the burning midday sun,
I sense the power that makes us one.
This stretch of land before I see,
lies symbolic of history.
An Angleman,
I am of many.
I am of their spirit.
I am of them

I hear their ancient voice

The storms of knowledge pound the skies,
as I praise this sight before my eyes.
Through the mist beyond the sea,
I see the past that calls to me

We are one,
Heathen son,
as I stand above your graves.
We are one,
Heathen son,
as I see the world in flames

WHEN OUR ENGLAND DIED

Wearily to the last battle they strode,
onward through day and through night.
To death they did go,
but they let them know,
the power of Angelisc might

Together they walked and together they'd fall,
under the Autumn sky.
With victory song behind shield-wall strong,
they slashed and they battered with pride

Over river and stream,
and through forest and field,
they marched with fire in their eyes,
wiping the sweat from their brows.
For miles they had fared,
and no effort was spared,
on the day when our England died

Over river and stream,
and through forest and field,
we'll march with fire in our eyes,
like the forefathers of old.
Fore miles we shall fare,
and no effort we'll spare,
till the day when our England's revived

IMMORTAL WISDOM

The winds sweep across the raging skies,
of our tormented domain.
All around I hear the ghostly chants,
of generations gone.
Can't they the howls of the Old Ones great,
coming with the storms?
Cries of betrayal and destroyed will,
over ages passed

I hear the winds of immortal wisdom sing.
Nature is yet to breathe it's last breath

They blindly go about their ways,
forget what is real.
A fantasy turned to legacy,a spiral of doom.
Cant they hear the howls of the Old Ones great,
coming with the winds?
The warnings fall on stubborn minds,
and on deaf ears

THE FIGHTING MAN

The flag held high,
a call to the warriors' pride.
North they had won,
weary in body not mind.
Standing alone,
the few who would see him to live.
For their brother to stay,
allegiance to him they must give

Under the banner of the fighting man

Through dense forest and dark of night,
always the flag is alight.
Through Northern lands to s s of South,
always the flag is the light

Not the chosen son of throne,
but they did hail him as their own.
The Fighting Man in two was torn,
a new flag flies but we'll see the new dawn

Under The Fighting Man

ENGLA TOCYME

Men of the sea,
on the waves they did ride,
drifting towards their new dawn.
Sailing forth,
with the wind as their guide,
fathers of a kingdom to be born

Their blood flows in me.
Through their eyes I see.
With their spirit I shall bring down my blade.
I speak with their words.
Their callings I have heard.
For their honour I shall bring down my blade

Offa's sons,
by the waters they fared,
gliding beyond Angeln's plains.
Swiftly on,
to their fortune's ahead.
Masters of a land to be claimed

Their blood flows in me.
Through their eyes I see.
With their spirit I shall bring down my blade.
I speak with their words.
Their callings I have heard.
For their honour I shall bring down my blade

''Hruron and feolion cynelicu getimbru somod and anlipie,and gehwaer sacerdas and maessepreostas betwuh wideum waeron slaegene and cwielmde; biscopas mid folc*m buton aenigre are sceawunga aetgaedre mid iserne and lige fornumene waeron''

FIFELDOR

In times of old beyond the sea,
when Waermund ruled the Angelcynn,
to him was born a worthy son,
that would in time a hero become.
Raiders from the borderlands,
English blood on Myrging hands.
The time would come for swords to shine.
The time would come to draw the line

Fifelfdor
Where Myrging blood was poured.
Fifeldor
Where Angeln was secured.
Fifeldor
Where Offa made his stand.
Fifeldor
To hold the English land

Dishonour plagued his youthful mind,
a shameful act by his own kind,
and spoke he not a single word,
but still with time he would be heard.
Across the Eider Myrgings came,
demanding that tribute be paid.
The time would come for swords to shine.
The time would come to draw the line

Fifelfdor
Where Myrging blood was poured.
Fifeldor
Where Angeln was secured.
Fifeldor
Where Offa made his stand.
Fifeldor
To hold the English land

At Monster-Gate the duellists met.
A kingdom's fate in Offa's hands.
With Stedefaest prepared to strike,
steel would soon shine blood wet.
Around the Eider saw the crowds,
a nation saved, a hero made.
Knelt Offa at the Eider's flow,
and cleansed the blood from on his blade

Fifelfdor
Where Myrging blood was poured.
Fifeldor
Where Angeln was secured.
Fifeldor
Where Offa made his stand.
Fifeldor
To hold the English land

''And sweorde merce gemaerde wid Myrgingum bi Fifeldore; heolden ford siddan Engle ond Swaefe swa hit Offa geslog''

THE PATHS OF YESTERDAYS

On the fields of yesterdays,
where many battles had been lost and won.
Great domains of seasons passed,
where many a deed was done.
Shining lands of yesterdays,
deep down they will always be ours.
Mighty paths of epochs gone,
with all their olden powers

Wooded hills of yesterdays,
throughout our England's soil.
Forests vast of times surpassed,
stretched out for mile on mile.
Potent earth of yesterdays,
I know you will always be ours.
Earth of our fatherland,
with all its olden powers

Olden paths of yesterdays,
with their olden power.
Great domains of seasons passed,
they will always be ours.
Mighty paths of epochs gone,
throughout our England's soil.
Forests vast of times surpassed

Wooded hills of yesterdays,
throughout our England's soil.
Forests vast of times surpassed,
stretched out for mile on mile.
Potent earth of yesterdays,
I know you will always be ours.
Earth of our fatherland,
with all its olden powers

MIRI IT IS

Miri it is while summer ilast,
with fugheles song.
Oc nu neheth windes blast,
and weder strong.
Ei! Ei! What this night is long,
and ich with wel michel wrong.
Soregh and murn and fast

Miri it is 'tween dark and dark,
this fleeting stage.
Till we return back to the night,
from whence we came,
and henceforth our spears take aim.
Hope to win eternal fame.
Hear our names e'er more

FOREVER IN CHAINS

Walls surround me as the years pass slowly by,
wonder what I might have been.
Battle-slaughter and a kingdom overthrown,
are only shadowy tales for me

My kingly blood,
it has condemned me to this fate.
I'll never see the light of day again.
How I long to have fought,
with my brothers side by side.
Only death shall end my pain

While kins and men are slain,
as royal buildings rise and fall,
these walls shall be my home.
I'll be forever in chains

Darkness fills me but my dignity prevails.
Prison walls are all I know.
History unfolds as I am left behind,
trapped within a web of time

''The nobility of his forebears, his simple manners, his sound views and honourable judgements. The strength of his body and the fire of his intellect. Exile, prison, darkness, inclosure, chains. Receive the boy and forsake the old man. Caught up in human bonds he bore them patiently. Bound even more closely in service to the Gods'' - epitaph of Wulfnoth Godwinson (1036-1094)

THREADS OF TIME

Wise are the weavers who carry our destiny.
Golden threads are the tales of our lives.
Worlds entwining,a journey eternally.
All as one are the earth and the skies.
Three are the goddesses,pillars of wisdom,
spinners of what is,what has and will be.
There is no escaping the web.
You cannot defy them,you cannot break free

Enter the world and the sisters are with you,
an energy knot in the fabric of time.
To rulers of gods death's the debt we must pay,
for creating the pattern of our life's design.
Few are the shamans who look upon everything,
for this great gift sacrifice they must pay.
They will know our choice at the crossroad.
The strings of the universe will lead the way

Never-ending river flowing.
Threads of time unfold

DEEP INTO TIME
written by caspian

Forefather is a band I read about ages ago in Metal Hammer and promptly forgot. Then I saw a torrent and thought that I might as well download it. Needless to say, I'll be buying this real soon, as this is top notch black metal that is extremely entertaining, passionate and just awesome

One of the things that hits you straight away is the really d*mn good production. There's a drum machine, but you wouldn't think it, as it sounds really natural and it's extremely well programmed. The guitars are thick and meaty with tonnes of clarity, and the vocals are pushed a little bit back in the mix, but they still come out nicely. This alb*m is definitely an example of how production makes an alb*m so much more listenable and enjoyable

So, good production, but good songs? Well, yes, Forefather deliver them. The songs could simply be described as 'Tremelo picked guitars with blastbeats' and yeah, that describes a couple of thousand bands, but Forefather make this sound totally unique, drenching each riff in tonnes of melody, and always going to places that you didn't quite expect. Sure there's nothing totally revolutionary about what these guys are doing, but it still sounds fresh and exciting. Forefather aren't afraid to vary tempo and mood too, like the shimmering mid tempo break in Ancient Voice, the ethereal synths in Dusk To Dawn, and the effective use of clean vocals and more rocky riffs. In some places, like The Ornamented Sword, their sound comes close to melodic death, but it's so much greater in vision and scope

d*mn, as I hear every song again (this is the 4th time I've heard it) I'm loving every song more and more. This is just a really great album! Everything is so melodic, crunchy and heavy, passionate and fitting in perfectly to the overall mood. I think a lot of black metal fans should love this, but it should appeal to most metalheads. A simply stunning album. It would get 100% if it wasn't for the intro and outro, which are both fairly unneccessary

9.4 out of 10

TRACKLIST

1. Intro

2. Natural Chaos

3. Deep Into Time

4. Immortal Wisdom

5. Visions Of Elders

6. Dusk To Dawn

7. Ancient Voice

8. The Ornamented Sword

9. The Wilde Dance

STEADFAST
written by silenceharmsyourears

4 years have passed amongst the cold dark forests and fields of Angleland. The winds of eternal freedom have amassed a lot of hope and expectation for the next Forefather tale, bringing the voice of the ancient ones to life. Finally it is here ... A breath of fresh incredible metal in the form of Steadfast! This alb*m is amazing, awesome, gargantuan, supreme Get what I'm saying? Quite likely their best work to date, which must confirm that this is band above most. The complexity of this album, musicianship, production, EVERYTHING, has shot through the roof, and to no detriment at all. The band was already great, but this is another level, and now I will explain why...

MUSIC AND MUSICIANSHIP - From the get go the music immediately blasts you straight back into Anglo-Saxon times, with a totally epic metal attack, putting you in the mood for a sword fight and mead down the tavern, celebrating glorious victory of war, like your kingdom depended on it. The complexity of the music has been upped. So you're thinking ''Great, there goes the catchy songs? ed for-the-sake-of-it guitar twiddling?'' WRONG! The songs are still unbelievably memorable and catchy, whilst being more technically proficient than ever, a well achieved feat. It will take a little longer perhaps to get into some of the songs fully, which I think is good in the long run. I'm already enjoying them equally and more so than previous work. There are immediate favourites for all to digest such as Brunanburh, Three Great Ships and Cween Of The Mark, others take a little longer perhaps but still amazing, BUT something isn't the same as before

SOUND AND PRODUCTION - One of the first things you'll notice about this new alb*m is the change in production. Starting with the drum, perhaps they stand out the most, but like everything else sound perfect. I can't fault them. Better than on previous albums in terms of realism and tone, while at the same time sounding like the same drums, which makes part of the perfectly smooth evolution I'm talking about! The vocals are also much better, still retaining their blackened rasp but much more mature, aggressive and the clean parts perfectly placed and toned, not to loud or quiet. Again they stand out as original and distinguishable from any band I can think of. The entire production is heavy, organic, smooth, crisp and just enough rawness. This works superb with their perfect, flawless, inhumanly tight playing. Production-wise this sounds perfect, not that their other albums were bad, they have their own style but personally I think this suits them much better. It's an original sound to me, and it's perfect, just the right amount everything, which allows the guitars to slice straight through the roaring bass line like a red-hot razor through b*tter. You know it's a great sound when you don't want to fiddle with the EQ while listening! As a perfectionist I find that a lot, but not here. All the instruments are clear and distinguishable throughout

OVERALL - When the expectation is high and the time is long, optimism and even pessimism may start to set in. As a fan I dared to think they may have changed in such a way as to fall out of sync with the previous works in one way or another, putting all their old work to shame or vice versa. NO! The alb*m is, much more mature, advanced and somewhat darker in places then previously, as is perfectly epitomised in the artwork. They have evolved immensely and simultaneously graciously, almost unnoticeably! You can tell there has been so much effort put into this, care to every single detail. You'll be listening to it for a long time to come, finding more details and snippets of info and things you missed along the way, hidden deep within the depths of this magic work. They deserve all the praise possible. Another monolithic statement of the genius this duo holds

SIMPLY PUT - Amazing! A great work of art and I am solidly predicting my favourite alb*m yet. The wait was definitely worth it. Without fully realising it all yet, you know straight up it's something original and awesome and you are caught between banging to the metal-ness and awestruck with the perfectionism and vast beauty! A smooth transition to a level beyond most bands ability, beyond professional. They have definitely come into their complete own here. Leaders Not Followers! A great start for any metal fan who doesn't know them and a fresh new awe inspiring listen for fans of old. I look forward to everything else they put out, there's no one else making music quite like this, of this quality and standard

Every Englishman should own a copy of this and certainly every metalhead. Superb. Metal alb*m of the year!

9.9 out of 10

TRACKLIST

1. Brunanburh

2. Cween of the Mark

3. Theodish Belief

4. Hallowed Halls

5. Steadfast

6. Three Great Ships

7. Eostre

8. Fire From the Sky

9. Mellowing of the Mains

10. Wolfhead's Tree

11. Miri It Is

OURS IS THE KINGDOM
written by logboy

Well what can I say about this album? I came across it while searching for more viking metal bands one day and was intrigued by their Anglo-Saxon themed lyrics

On my first listen I was totally blown away, at first giving it a casual listen as I walked to work, music blaring from my mp3 player as always. As soon as work finished and I made it home, the CD ended up on repeat just for me to hear those catchy guitar melodies included in songs such as Wudugast or The Shield Wall again, creating an epic atmosphere within the album. The guitar lines seem to be a very good mix of traditional black metal tremolo riffing mixed with melodies in the NWOBHM style, creating very interesting song structures different from the normal black folk styled band

Another plus for this alb*m is the heavy use of clean vocals, which seems to be quite uncommon in this metal subgenre. The great thing is, these guys are not amazing singers, but the singing itself fits so well with the music to further boost the epic style of the music, creating a sense of pride in the lyrics. The occasional use of traditional black metal vocals will also add another element to the music, giving the occasional break from the clean vocals to add more aggression to the music

The band, being a two member band, uses a drum machine, but fortunately it does not suffer and is not actually that noticeable

The lyrics consist of the usual national pride styled lyrics, paying homage to the band's Anglo-Saxon ancestors in their invasion and conquest of England, beating back the original natives on To The Mountains They Fled, anti-Christian themed lyrics about the fight against the faith spreading over England on Ours Is the Kingdom and the Anglo-Saxon heroes being honoured in Rebel Of The Marshlands and Proud To Be Proud

This alb*m is a must hear for those who like black metal, and may even surprise the odd traditional heavy metal fan with some of the catchy guitar work

9 out of 10

TRACKLIST

1. Shield Wall

2. Ours Is The Kingdom

3. Proud To Be Proud

4. The Golden Dragon

5. Smashed By Fate

6. The Sea Kings

7. To The Mountains They Fled

8. The People That Time Forgot

9. Threads Of Time

10. Keep Marching On

11. Rebel Of The Marshlands

12. Wudugast

ENGLA TOCYME
written by Nicki

Wulfstan and Athelstan are two Englishmen devoted to extreme music, their homeland and it's glorious past. In order to hail their ancestors, they founded their own label Angelisc Enterprises a couple of years ago, formed a band called Forefather and started playing music

Forefather's 1999 debut Deep Into Time could be described as epic black metal without any hesitation. The Fighting Man sounded softer and more traditional metal oriented, while the third alb*m Engla Tocyme which saw the light of day in the beginning of March 2002, offers us a mighty portion of aggresive epic heavy metal with guitar-dominated melodies and heroic lyrics inspired by Old English poetry, praising the ancient forefathers of today's Englishmen

The title track Engla Tocyme, meaning The Coming Of The English, opens the alb*m with catchy, heavy melodies and the clean vocals of Wulfstan, which dominate all of the songs, except for Iron Hand. Variety is the keyword here. You won't get bored at all listening carefully to all the songs on this third English outburst again and again! This is definitely an excellent symbiosis between heaviness and melody, plus some pleasant audio-surprises added. For example, the closing 8 minute long instrumental opus The Fate Of Kings and Fifeldor have traditional-like melodies incorporated. The last track mentioned, together with the extremely variable Into The Forever, and especially the raging Forever In Chains, are maybe the best compositions on the CD. Doubtlessly a must have

9 out of 10

TRACKLIST

1. Engla Tocyme

2. Into The Forever

3. Iron Hand

4. Fifeldor

5. The Swan's Road

6. Forever In Chains

7. The Fate Of Kings

Tireless effort. Thanks, I can have a wee singalong now :)