MetalKings

5/5 HAGEN Corridors Of Time 2001 Angular Records/ CD-Maximum folk metal This is a debut album of an obscure band from Sweden. Track one is a hard rock ballad with electric violin pieces. Track two is a whirlwind instrumental with pieces close to black metal. Track three is 70s hard rock in the vein of Deep Purple circa "Stormbringer" and "Burn". Track four is a folk metal piece somewhat close to Skyclad. And so on and so fourth. In general, "Corridors Of Time" can be described as an extremely eclectic mix of Coverdale-era Deep Purple and current Cruachan, if you dare to imagine such a combination. Most melody lines are handled by electric violin which sometimes sounds like a bagpipe. No female vocals or growling. To sum it all up, a record that is very interesting to listen but very difficult to review, for each song deserves a special description. My overall rate would have been four, if not for the brilliant track "Afraid" with breathtaking lyrics and melody, which is alone worth the price of a CD. My recommendation to everyone will be: take your time and try to find the album, read the lyrics and just listen, this is the material that needs no evaluation, but rather an invitation, an invitation to the strange but beautiful world of Hagen. From my experience I've learned that it's obscure bands that bring the most pleasant surprises, and this one's the surprise of the month. (Maniac)