September 27th, 2025 - An Unbroken Balkansko

 

Dobar dan and happy Saturday my headbangin' and beer lovin' friends!  The Meister here today pairing "Unbroken", the kick-ass, 3rd studio album by Serbian heavy metal masters Claymorean and a crisp and refreshing Balkansko Balkan Style Lager from the fine folks at the Proper Brewing Company!  Oh, yeah!! 

Album Info:

• Artist: Claymorean
• Title: "Unbroken"
• Recorded: 2015 at Midnight Studio in Lazarevac, Serbia
• Release date: June 8th, 2015 (3rd full-length studio album by Claymorean)
• Record company: Stormspell Records
• Production: Boris Šurlan and Claymorean
• Album cover art: Mumintroll (design and layout)
• Personnel: Miodrag Fodora (vocals), Dejana Garčević (lead vocals), Goran Garčević (bass and backing vocals), Vladimir Garčević (guitars and backing vocals), and Uroš Kovačević (lead guitars)
• Additional and guest musicians: Željko Jovanović (backing vocals), Miloš Krsmanović (backing vocals), Darko Lazić (percussion), Bojana Panovska (backing vocals), and Boris Šurlan (guitar solo on "Into The Courts Of Chaos")
• Musical style: Heavy metal, power metal with elements of doom metal and a little thrash
• Sound: Bold, bombastic, and heavy as hell, the sound on Claymorean's "Unbroken" blends epic power metal with doom, and even a little thrash.  The tracks are characterized by soaring guitars, thunderous bass and drums, and Dejana's always amazing vocal performances!
• Major themes: Sword and sorcery, good vs. evil, fantasy, mythology, horror, war, valor, fate, hope etc.
• Tracks:  
1. "Heldenhammer"
2. "Gods Of Chaos"
3. "Warp"
4. "The Everchosen"
5. "Ironhide"
6. "Aeons Of Revelation"
7. "Dreamer On A Path Of Light"
8. "Silent Guardians"
9. "We Fight Like Lions"
   
10. "Into The Courts Of Chaos" (Manilla Road cover)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Proper Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.properbrewingco.com/ 
• Brew: Balkansko
• Style: Balkan Style Lager
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• IBUs: 18
• Pour: The Balkansko pours a clear, deep golden-yellow hue with a very thin and bubbly, bright white head that dissipates to the thin ring with subtle lacing.
• Nose: The nose is grainy, malty, and slightly peppery.  There are aromas of cracked wheat, pale grains, light grassy hops, freshly cut hay, a hint of citrus, and very light honey.
• Taste: The taste is malty, bready, and slightly sweet.  There are notes of crackery biscuit, bready and grainy malts, and very soft caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Balkansko is very crisp and very smooth with a clean, dry finish.

Overall pairing: The Proper Balkansko is a very delicious, very drinkable, and crushable brew... a great companion to pump your fists and bang your head to the metal might that is Claymorean's excellent 3rd effrot, the indelible "Unbroken" album!  'Nuff said!

Make sure to check out my interview with my friends Vlad and Dejana Garčević of the mighty Claymorean from last year: https://youtu.be/TlKXFjl2JSg

Živeli!!  Hails!!