Origin : Germany
Genre : Epic Folk Metal
Release : 2016
Album downloads only available to members
Album Info / Review
**Equilibrium – *Armageddon*
A filigreed assault on the senses**
Equilibrium’s sophomore outing, *Armageddon*, comes out of the sweltering German crucible that birthed the band’s creative epicenter, that same place that fused the virtuosity of shred‑hunting leads with the reverberant aria of folk choirs. The record is an 18‑minute condensation of the group’s signature concept: a myth‑laden collision of ancient prophecy and modern ferocity.
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### Sound & Production
From the opening chord on “The Finish” the album asserts a raw immediacy. The guitars sit slightly warmer than the crystalline precision of *Master The Art Of Life* (2006), with a touch of an analog tape bleed that gives the riffage a tangible weight. The bass and drums anchor this soundscape, swirling with a punch that feels both calculated and spontaneous. The hall used for the recording imparts a natural reverb that has the effect of a cathedral hallway while the production team never lets the mix drift into muddiness.
Production-wise, *Armageddon* excels at balancing high‑octane solos and guttural growls with the more delicate, almost chamber‑like folk elements (shakuhachi‑style flute, flutes with werewolf howl samples). No track is sacrificed; nothing is shoved beneath the louder parts. Tassas and Kranz (the long‑time co‑engineers) rope in a subtle vintage layer that gives the EP a slightly tremulous but precise character.
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### Atmosphere
Thematically, the album is built around the cyclical devastation of war and renewal—a kind of perpetual apocalypse. This marries perfectly with the sonic layers: stomping double‑bass that feels like a drumbeat of the earth, with swirling melodic guitars that seem to climb skyward as if striking the heavens. The “Arc of Daybreak” track, with its gently ascending guitar arpeggios and rising choirs, is instantly evocative of a sunrise over a war‑scarred horizon. In contrast, “Unholy Vale” plunges you into a bleak, broken metallic valley, punctuated by long, sustained screams that feel almost like a cry to the void.
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### Riffs & Melody
Equilibrium is a masterclass in “melodic brutality.” Lead guitar duels are tightly arranged, each note fighting for dominance yet refraining from stalling the momentum. The dual lead strategy is most noticeable on “Unholy Vale,” where a broken pentatonic riff is mirrored forward, perfectly synchronized with a soaring melodic line that paints a soaring warning. Vocal samples and interludes are often framed by rhythmic bowing of the guitar, a trait that elevates the tracks from mere songs to cinematic soundgaps. The groove is present: the riff on “The Blessing” provides a cyclic undercurrent that keeps the listener on a continuous wheeling motion.
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### The Folk/Neoclassical Meld
Perhaps one of the band’s strongest statements is the seamless woven of exotic folk instrumentation (tobass flute, bagpipe-like pads) with the standard three‐guitar ensemble, groove bass, and double‑bass. Equilibrium keeps the folk comprehensible, features them in almost palpable phrases that complement the main guitar lines. In “Schickam” the acoustic sitar loops are surrounded by soaring guitars and a thunderous drum rhythm possible only with a mischievous orchestral mind.
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### Overall Impression
*Armageddon* is a thunderous, theatrical narrative delivered with an unwavering, meticulous execution. Equilibrium’s consistent concept, symmetrical, high‑velocity instrumentation, and the atmospherical treatment shine through, revealing a band that has found a balance between their folk roots and modern metal. It is an album that demands engagement: steady listening, an impetus to dance through the anger, and a pulse that refuses to be reeled back into normalcy. A short, potent capsule that satisfies the headbutt craving of the metal aficionado and the reflective curiosity of those who appreciate mythic storytelling or a good sonic landscape.
A masterpiece that’s length and analysis compressed into one meticulously crafted, heaving force of an armageddon‑in size in packaging and musical execution. For anyone looking to experience mythic resonance with a thunderous, heavy sound, this is the records you’ll play again and again.
