Heidenhertz is the latest output from the German Pagan Metal band FIMBULVET and is a re-release of their first two albums Ewiger Winter and Der Ruf in goldene Hallen combined into one package to which they have also added a further three songs from some of their already released albums and a further song recorded acoustically  just for this release. The songs in question being 'Walvaters Pfand, Walderrit and Schwert aus Stein'' all of which have been re-recorded with the song Heidenherz in the aforementioned acoustic version. FIMBULVET is an interesting band in that they have gone through a few line-up changes all the while managing to stay true to their sound and musical roots. Described as Pagan Metal by the band themselves upon listening to the record I get the sense that although Pagan is the dominant Metal form the songs are also interlaced with further influences from the Black and Death Metal sector. Starting off with ''Herr der Ewigheit'' the beginning of the song sets the stage with what sounds like a scene from a epic battle with a Viking Warrior declaring that he will soon join his ancestors in Valhalla before the actual song kicks in with an epic sounding guitar riff and pounding drums which straight away gives the listener the impression that he or she is riding into battle. What is also noticeable is the good interaction between male and female vocals, the latter giving the song a slightly melancholic feel. About half way into the track it slows down the pace before speeding up again towards the end.  ''Walvaders Pfand'' manages to vary the pace, starts off at a gallop into a riff reminiscent of melodic death metal before speeding up into a death/black metal song with varying vocals varying between Black metal type screams and more melodic type chants, the track like most songs on this two disc set telling a, what seems to me, warriors tale of finding one's self and the combination of man and nature.

''Wälderritt'' begins acoustically before setting into a mid-temp rhythm that is held for a short while before the song changes gears and becomes faster for the remainder of the track. ''Schwert aus Stein'' is another song with a structure between a slower paced rhythm and a faster type attack although half way through the song slows down considerably with just the drums, bass and clear vocals before a short acoustic riff leads the song back to the groove it started off with. ''Heidenherz'' in the original version of the song is a dynamic and driving number but one that on the acoustic interpretation replaces the speedy guitar with a haunting acoustic solo underlined with bells and softly played drums instead of the original thundering growls and in your face pace. ''Der Ruf in Goldene Hallen'' ,  is another song that together with ''Am Stamme Yggdrasils''  are two songs that best represent the FIMBULVET sound with the use of strong guitar melodies that always give you a sort of traditional metal meets medieval/pagan metal feel and that is not unlike God Dethroned, Varg or earlier Amon Amarth without giving up its own identity. Watchful readers will have noticed that I have not labelled or tried to go into every single song from this 24 song compilation but have instead tried to pick out those songs that best represent the band's sound. Fans of the band that might not have the 1^st two albums or that wish to hear some songs in slightly different and re-recorded versions should not hesitate to add this to their collections as some of the older songs do really benefit from a better and thicker sound.