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铁骑乐队 – 《黑骏》

封面2铁骑:《黑骏》专辑乐评

文:Pat Borzycki 译:Jason Zhou

(英文原文见下)

关于铁骑这支乐队,熟悉中国金属圈的人肯定不需更多介绍——自从早先发行的两张专辑在中国金属发展史上写下属于自己的一笔后,张天然以及一干新加入乐队的各路豪杰再一次证明了他们是一只民谣金属界中不容小觑的力量。随着乐队不断进步,口碑也与日俱增,他们用第三张专辑壮大着自己独树一帜的作品集。然而,这张专辑到底是乐迷们翘首以待的倾力之作还是仅仅为乐队成长道路上的进身之阶?

《黑骏》是铁骑生涯中第一张以一个完整乐队的形式录制的,而不是由张天然包办所有乐器的演奏。此外,这张专辑也是他们迄今为止最短的作品,9首歌34分钟,其中7首为新作品,显然乐队选择了开门见山的演绎方式。开场曲“沙场”为一首由弦乐、号角以及凄凉的呼麦所组成的器乐小曲。该曲尝试为整张专辑的氛围进行铺垫;然而歌曲却在势头完全壮大之前便戛然而止。当然了,在专辑中以一首纯器乐曲开场是再精妙不过的事,可这首歌给人的感觉却更加适合作为专辑中间给听众以喘息机会的插曲,而不是有着树立第一印象这等艰巨任务的开场曲。不幸的是,整张专辑贯穿着这样的问题。同名曲目“黑骏”结束得太突然,听者不得不得承受在被一段迅猛的solo和雄伟的旋律送上高潮却突然哑然而止的失落感。如果紧随而来的“战马”能填补“黑骏”留下的遗憾那倒也罢,但是该曲却完全在另外一个节奏上,让整张专辑无法达到行云流水一气呵成的效果。另外,专辑在创作方面因缺乏探索精神而略显平庸——很多时候歌曲似乎将听者带入了一段驾驭着骏马驰骋沙场的奇遇,然而一些段落的一再重复不得不把听者打回坐着办公椅的现实中。段落的重复以及错位很多时候伤害了歌曲的潜力并一再提醒听者这张专辑尴尬的长度。

《黑骏》的闪光点在于,歌曲创作手法单刀直入的同时也有很多让人拍案叫好之处。风驰电掣的吉他佐以凶暴的手掌闷音锻造出最纯粹的重金属之音,而主音吉他仿佛在对老牌速弹名家们致敬,对颤音的表现则让人看到了大神Michael Amott (Arch Enemy)的影子。铁骑乐队毫不吝啬地展现了让他们与众不同的民谣之声——马头琴悠扬的旋律配以阴冷的呼麦与金属风格琴瑟相和,以此制造出属于铁骑自己的风格。更不必说这张专辑有着难以否认的“魂”——你完全能听到这群人对金属以及传统蒙古族民谣的热爱,给人感觉耳目一新。

综上所述,这个乐队有着值得自豪的独特风格,但他们也应该在每张专辑里尝试超越自己。打个比方,铁骑拥有足够的材料以及技巧去做出一只皮薄馅儿大的金属肉包子,但是却总因为以上原因而无法把馅儿调好,以至于这张专辑与铁骑其他作品相比并无过多出彩之处。我说哥儿几个哎,咱吼得再狠点儿,贝斯再响点儿,继续挑战自己。你们绝对行的。

 

Tengger Cavalry: Black Steed Review

Tengger Cavalry are a band that needs no introduction in the Chinese metal scene – having already carved their name into local history with 2 releases, Nature Zhang and his recently acquired band of merry men have proven themselves to be a folk metal force to be reckoned with. Now as their sound progresses and reputation grows, the third album in their unique discography has arrived. Is this LP the trifecta effort fans have been hoping for, or is it merely a stepping stone in their career?

Black Steed is the first official album in Tengger Cavalry’s lifespan that has been recorded by a full line-up and has not solely been carried on the shoulders of Nature Zhang. Furthermore, it is also the shortest album release from the band, clocking in at 34 minutes with 7 of the 9 tracks being new material, suggesting a more upfront direction. The opening track “The Battlefield” is a short instrumental piece, carried by a small ensemble of strings, horns, and haunting Mongolian throat singing. The song attempts to set the tone for the album; however it ends quite abruptly before the track really has a chance to gain any sort of momentum. Of course, it is a delicate procedure composing an opening track especially if it’s instrumental, but it really feels as though this should be serving as a mid-way filler instead of being the all important first impression. Unfortunately, this is a problem that persists throughout the rest of the album. The title track “Black Steed” ends far too abruptly, leaving an anti-climax after a thrashing solo and gallant melody. This would be ok if “War Horse” picked up where “Black Steed” left off, but it’s at a totally different pace, ultimately damaging the flow of the record. Additionally, there’s an underwhelming lack of exploration and adventure in composition – there are instances when it feels as though a track is building up for an awesome folk journey of blazing around on horseback, but then a verse is repeated and you’re reminded that your steed is actually an office chair. Misplaced repetitive things like this really take away from the potential of the songs and highlight the short duration of the album.

Things aren’t all bad, though. Whilst there is a straightforward and somewhat simple approach in song-writing, there are catchy moments that are mighty fine. The guitars gallop and chug along with a palm-muted ferocity forged from grains of pure ‘eavy metule, whilst the leads shred with a keen sense of the old school, even echoing a familiar touch of vibrato akin to axeman Michael Amott. Tengger Cavalry retain and revel in the folky sounds that make them unique – soaring melodies on the matouqin coupled with darkly atmospheric Mongolian throat singing that is really well balanced and tightly woven into metal stylings to create a musical identity that they can proudly claim as their own. Not to mention the undeniable spirit of the album – you can really hear the genuine love for metal and traditional Chinese and Mongolian folk music that these guys have, which is very refreshing.

Overall, this is a band that has achieved a very distinctive style which they should be proud of, but they should also be pushing for more with each album. Tengger Cavalry do have the ingredients to make an awesome, well-rounded metal pie, but so far Black Steed doesn’t quite cut it (I think it was the crust), and unfortunately doesn’t stand as tall amongst their past efforts. C’mon guys; push those vocals, mix up that bass, and keep challenging yourselves! You certainly have it in you.

otterstillABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pat Borzycki is an Australian with a voracious appetite for all things innovative. He enjoys the finer things in life such as underground/obscure music, reading, green tea, and breathing. When not working or searching for the meaning of life he’s most likely to be found channelling his creative forces into various outlets or writing blurbs about himself.[/box]

铁骑乐队的新专辑《黑骏》已经正式销售,请点击购买地址

关于作者: Jin 个人网站
一个音乐、电影、科技迷,金属乐、Google 和披萨的狂热爱好者。除了无解,你还可以在时髦上海(SmartShanghai)和 Vice 上看到我的文字。错别字一直是我的心头痛。

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