The Raven Returns to the Knoll is probably the most upbeat, positive song on the album (aside from We Raise a Horn). It is a song about a place called Raven’s Knoll, where I, and now most of the band, go camping. There is a festival that happens there that is a multi-faith gathering with a large Pagan/Heathen contingent where we all get together and create a community for a week or two and see what could be, rather than what is. The song is about escaping the concrete coffin we all live in, aka the city, and finding/searching for something better.
lyrics
The Raven returns to the Knoll!
In the seething masses I drown
Pulled down by greed in need of solid ground
Driving faster, racing the gloom
I must escape from this quickly-closing tomb
Fleeing this city, this nightmare, bereft of hope
Towards freedom, untying this tightening noose's rope
Dark behind, new day ahead
Sun rises, behold a horizon bathed in red
To a forest of my own, to a place I call my home
To my people, to my tribe, I return now to the Knoll
Past the places, the landmarks I go
Faster I drive to find the me I used to know
One more mile, just one more bend
One more hill, there it is, the light at the end
See the sign sitting upon the hill
Past the ravens who sit and watch, ever still
Down the path, relief at last
To the forest, to once and for all forget my past
To a forest where I roam
To a place I call my home
To rekindle the fire turned to coal
I return now to the Knoll
To see my people, smiling faces
To see them running through the trees
To see them dancing by the fire
I return now to the knoll
To a forest where I roam, to a place I call my home
To my people, to my tribe, I return now to the Knoll
To see my brothers, swords in hand
To see my sisters, axes raised high
To see them laughing as the blade drops
I return now to the knoll
Shields hammered, helmets shine bright
Till the coming of the most sacred twilight
Hundreds dancing, drumming non-stop
Fire burning till the last person drops
To a forest where I roam, to a place I call my home
To my people to my tribe, I return now to the Knoll
See them dancing in the twilight
See them dancing every single night
See them dancing in the twilight
See them fading with the coming light…
credits
from Heathenheart,
released July 23, 2021
Timothy Voldemars Johnston – Vocals. Lyrics
Michael Grund – Guitar
John Chalmers – Guitar
Andrew Chalmers – Drums & Percussion
Clare B. – Keyboards & Orchestrations
Matt “Coldcuts” Collacott – Bass
Hexenklad is a Canadian Folk/Black Metal band. Think folk melodies akin to Moonsorrow with twin guitar leads like
Dissection, the depth of emotion of Primordial and the overwhelming depth of Insomnium
Members:
Timothy Johnston -Vocals
Michael Grund - Guitar
John Chalmers - Guitar
Steve Bowen - Guitar
Matt Collacott - Bass
Clare B. - Keys
Andrew C. - Drums...more
supported by 13 fans who also own “The Raven Returns to the Knoll”
A Pagan black metal masterpiece.
Folk and black metal elements fuse into one extremely catchy and awe inspiring album. This band does not disappoint from all the high praise sent it's way. Abyssius Murkraken
supported by 10 fans who also own “The Raven Returns to the Knoll”
I'd say Havukruunu is the rightful holder of the Crown and the mantle of Quorthon. Epic choirs, vikingesque themes and tales from the other times, of the Finnish paganism back in the days before our ancestors were brought to the cross and forced to kneel while feeling the bloody sword of saviour on their throats made to kiss the hand of murderers who burnt thousands, tore down our holy places and took our holy days. Eyes teary I listen to these songs, never forgiving the crimes of the cross! Peikonmieli