June 28th, 2025 - Redneck Techno Vikings From Hell!

 

Hello and happy Saturday evildoers, headbangers, and craft brew lovers!  The Meista here on this hot afternoon with a pairing of the excellent album "Redneck Vikings From Hell" by Æther Realm and a very tasty and tart Techno Viking Berliner Weisse Sour from the fine folks at Drekker Brewing Company!  Hells yes!

Album Info:

• Artist: Æther Realm
• Title: "Redneck Vikings From Hell"
• Recorded: 2020 
• Release date: May 1st, 2020 (3rd full-length studio album by Æther Realm)
• Record company: Napalm Records
• Production: Kile Odell
• Album cover art: Travis Smith
• Personnel: Heinrich Arnold (guitars and vocals), Donny Burbage (guitars), Tyler Gresham (drums), and Vincent Jones (bass, orchestrations, and vocals)
• Guest musicians: Eric W. Brown (vocals on "She's Back"), Greg Burgess (acoustic guitar on "One Hollow Word"), Zane Frye (backing vocals on "Hunger"), Wayne Ingram (banjo and lap steel guitar on "Redneck Vikings From Hell"), Elly Jones (backing vocals on  "Goodbye", "Guardian", and "One Hollow Word"), Josh Landry (backing vocals on "Goodbye"), Erica Lindbeck (voice-over on "Slave To The Riff"), Jos Rieke (vocals on "Lean Into The Wind"), Michael Rumple (vocals on "Cycle"), Amy Turk (harp on "One Hollow Word"), and Zach Williams (backing vocals on "Goodbye" and "One Hollow Word")
• Musical style: Melodic death metal, folk metal, traditional metal
• Sound: At times bombastic, at times aggressive, at times melodic, the sound on "Redneck Vikings From Hell" is always unique and highly entertaining!  The musical prowess of this band alone is worth every penny!
• Major themes: Power, might, loss, fate, mythology, fantasy, violence, etc.  
• Tracks: 
1. "Redneck Vikings From Hell"
2. "Goodbye"
3. "Lean Into The Wind"
4. "Hunger"
5. "Guardian"
6. "One Hollow Word"
7. "She's Back"
8. "Slave To The Riff"
9. "Cycle"
10. "TMHC"
11. "Craft And The Creator"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Drekker Brewing Company (Fargo, North Dakota) 
• Website: https://drekkerbrewing.com/
• Brew: Techno Viking Berliner Weisse Sour
• Style: Berliner Weisse / Sour Beer
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 4.5% 
• IBUs: 1
• Ingredients: German Pilsner malt
• Pour: The Techno Viking pours a slightly cloudy, golden-yellow hue with a very thin, bright white head that dissipates quickly, leaving virtually no lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by tart, grainy, and subtle fruit notes.  There are aromas of craked wheat, lemon juice and zest, freshly cut hay, oak, and a slight hint of honey.
• Taste: The taste of the Techno Viking follows the nose with tart, grainy, and slightly fruity flavors.  There are notes of lemon juice, lemon zest, lemongrass, crackery biscuit, and a light splash of honey.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Techno Viking is very crisp and tart with a clean and refreshing finish.

Overall pairing: The Drekker Techno Viking Berliner Weisse Sour is a very light and crushable, yet flavorful brew ... a perfect companion to the unique and wonderfully entertaining sound of Æther Realm!  Those sour notes go great with the heavy punch of these tracks!  I highly recommend both the album and the brew!

Cheers and hails headbangers!!  Keep it craft and keep it heavy!