Stones, Folk and Fear: In the Lair of the Bear Mother by LadyAxe Review

Last year, Leading South African Tasha Danzig a.k.a LadyAxe released a new Full Length entitled “In the Lair Of The Bear Mother.” The album consists of 15 tracks.

In general, the album is well written and composed. There is a wide variety in musical moods and riffs. LadyAxe used her African heritage through emerging it with really distinctive sound. The album opens by a short darkened spoken track with demonic whispers, “Bear Mother’s Welcome”. After coloring your mood in Black, the music turns heel through “Boare Berserker”. It is darkened powerful track carries wonderful atmospheric and natural sounds to spread the forestry atmosphere.

While “La Mujer Metalera” is close to classic Heavy Metal atmosphere. But, this track carries something unique, a real African traditional part existed in the song, it is represented in African Women Calls with a strong musical background of dynamic rhythms.

By emotional blowing intro, tasted bleak, “Here by Monsters” is opened. It is emotional Doom Metal track dressed in My Dying Bride style. Next, another spoken track appeared, “Bear Mother Speaks - The Becoming”.

The upcoming track is “King Ashton”. It is somehow fast, dynamic and old-fashioned Power Metal style. The following track “Úlfhèδnar” is really impressive. It is a folk track carries the folk vivid tunes of the Irish. It also carries “Enya” spirit.

After that, “For the Muse” comes with blowing, catchy guitar riffs and unique vocal performance. While “Hekate” is another comeback to African traditional mood again. In the Middle of this track, there is amusing acoustic part with horrific women’s calls accompanied with high war drum. This blowing mood is enriched with alerting folk strings and guitars. 

Next is “Shieldwall”, it is a powerful, active track. It carries the essence of Death/Viking Metal. “Vigviser” doesn’t differ a lot from “Shieldwall”, but it is heavier.

Now, it is the final track before the 2 bonus track. It is another spoken one consisted of water drops, and shocking warning lesson.

So, we are now with the bonus tracks. “The Wailing Woman” is the first bonus track I listened. It’s epic, I think, it carries the essence of Epic/Symphonic Metal with new folk/world musical traditions as Enigma.

The final one is “Apostate”. It is charming spiritual Power Metal track with incredible spiritual chanting and keys. It has unforgettable guitar tunes with Epic folk influenced drums.

To sum up, basically, the album is well-written and well performed. There is a good story and great acting vocals with different pitches and well-employed spoken. Also, employing the African/Irish heritage is wonderful. The only negative comment in the album is music quality and I hope the band re-release the album with remastered version soon.