#29 - Top of 2017

 Dream spirit - General triumphant (Totemism Productions)

梦灵 or Dream Spirit are back with a new album after the intriguing Jiangshan that acted as a personal gateway to the band. Dream Spirit are a very interesting folk metal band from China, mixing traditional folk elements, with local colour and metal elements. There is a trend of bands from the far east that utilise their traditional music and incorporate metal elements to it, like Dream Spirit or Tenggen Cavalry. Despite the fact that the album is sung in Chinese in its entirety, it is a very engaging experience for the western listener as well. From little can be discerned about the songs, their general theme is historical with specific reference to the rich military history of China, with music that matches that feeling impeccably. Highlights of the record are the opener "Go out to Battle" (塞下 ), the epic "Morbid Souls" (伤寒) and the closer "Song of Triumph" (凯歌). You can find the album at the band's bandcamp here, and as a pioneering member of a scene that is on the rise, they are 100% worth it.

92.25/100

Below is the live video for the song "Go out to Battle".