Vanir (2016) Aldar Rök

Band: Vanir

Country of Origin: Denmark

Genre: Viking / Black / Folk metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 31:00 min.

Release Date: 02-26-2016

Release Label: Mighty Music

IR Classification: Good (4.2 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

A thunderous rebirth, relentless, aggressive and enrapturing

Danish band Vanir, were formed around 2009 in the town of Roskilde, originally playing in the vein of Viking metal with folk elements, they have been very proficient releasing three previous full lengths within five years, their debut album "Særimners kød" came out in 2011, resembling bands like Korpiklaani, Alestorm, Finntroll, their sophomore album entitled "Onwards into Battle" was released one year later in 2012 with a more mature sound, heavy riffing and cheerful folktales, their third effort saw the light during 2014 with the title "The Glorious Dead" shifting very slightly their sound adding more death metal riffs to the Viking core and diminishing folk elements, from the beginning they have counted with full support of their record label Mighty Music and after two years waiting finally they released their fourth album "Aldar Rök" featuring a new line-up and redirecting their sound dramatically.

           

 Vanir seems they are totally dropping the folk elements in "Aldar Rök", there is no more bagpipes and whistles, only keyboards remains in a more symphonic scheme, moving into a black metal style darker, frightening and overwhelming, with a little twist at the end, but before proceeding and get into "Aldar Rök" let's meet their current line-up, which still consist of original members Lars Bundvad in bass, Philip Kaaber in rhythm guitar, Martin Håkan in vocals, Daniel Kronskov who recorded, "The Glorious Dead", he remains behind the drums, Kirk Backarach and Stefan Dujardin lead guitar and keyboards respectively, both are joining forces to enrapture Vanir growing fan base.

"Aldar Rök" it might be short containing seven tracks and barely reaching thirty one minutes, but surprisingly the quality balances the experience in all aspects, the first track "Black Legion" immediately start with a darker eerie intro to unchain rabid riffs and relentless double bass drum, all wrapped in ominous synths and guttural vocals, "Pretorian" evolves in a denser and heavier Viking riff intertwined with some tremolo picking guitar, while the synths builds a sound wall in the background, nuanced with devilish choruses to complete the song, "Unrepentant" structured with bells sounds and bass lines to receive, from afar a quiet guitar that become stronger and punitive, always with melodies that shiver deeply in the soul due to the vocal tone, diversified between raspy and growling, next is "Broken Throne", which exploits with a really catchy and melodic riff, with synths that make a an impressive dual soundscapes, the highs and lows inflict an immeasurable level of adrenaline, this track is a beast and is followed for "Wrath of Sutr" it’s appealing a lot of Amon Amarth's distinctive sound, with galloping riffage very well interwoven with symphonic keyboards, very classic in the Viking vein, "The Serpent" is peppered of death black metal riffing, are thick and corrosive the drums draw a remorselessly blast beat pattern to match the pace, the closing track is "Drukvisen" this is more oriented to their roots where Viking and folk were one, same as the energy capture in their two first albums, the intensity of the riffs and blast beats are amusing, excellent for those who would cry over the folk passages buried in "Aldar Rök", the only missing gem here is the absence of Sara Oddershede, who used to handled the bagpipe and whistles, it is a real shame that we could not enjoy her talent in the last track, maybe it would have been a good idea to have had her back as a special guest.  

The growth they have shown in this new production is undeniable, at some point very dramatic due to the almost zero appearances of folk elements, in the other hand the length becomes an issue, it is true that the quality compensates a lot but at the end you will be craving for more. 

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Black Legion
02. Pretorian
03. Unrepentant
04. Broken Throne
05. Wrath of Sutr
06. The Serpent
07. Drukvisen 

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Vinterblot (2016) Realms of the Untold

Band: Vinterblot

Country of Origin: Italy

Status: Active

Genre: Viking metal / Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Ltd. Edition Digipak
Length Approx.: 35:00 min.

Release Date: 01-25-2016

Current label: Nemeton Records

Release label: Nemeton Records

IR Classification: Moderate (3.4 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Crushing riff with guttural vocals explode with authority, certainly giving their own tight and epic label

Vinterblot are a band formed in Apulia, Italy; They started playing around 2008, their music is a blend of Death, Black and Pagan metal, so far; They have released two prior recordings before, "Realms of the Untold" the first one is their independent EP debut entitled "For Asgard" back in 2010 which contains six tracks mostly influenced by the kings of the sub-genre Amon Amarth, you can hear clearly how this EP was conceived, later on they released their first full length "Nether Collapse", early in 2012 under Rising Records, this album is not far away from their sound captured in their EP, but they began to experiment and spread the range, adding a diverse vibe, the riffage still heavy as death metal should be, but they succeed to give an epic approach.

This band has one of the many qualities I appreciate in a metal band, a steady line-up, because I truly believe there is a slightly chance to find the right partners from the beginning and grow with them pursuing the same ambitions, there is nothing wrong with a band who decide to switch members, everything is valid here, either to innovate, to improve, personal reasons or whatever reason you want to add in the list, there is not a predetermined formula, as I stated before Vinterblot started, around 2008 with Fjorgynn and Vandrer on guitars, Eruner in bass, Wolf behind the drums and Kvasir in vocals who was rapidly replaced by Phanaeus, in 2013 Vandrer departs from the band and Auros joined them, with this line-up is how they compose and recorded "Realms of the Untold".

Vinterblot released their second full length "Realms of the Untold" in January 25th, 2016 containing nine tracks and somehow they still dwelling in the same sound, that they developed in their debut album, demolishing heavy and catchy riff, but the Amon Amarth vibe still present there, "Evoked by Light" structured with vicious riff sweep the road to Valhalla, this is a mid-pace track, I still wonder why do they choose this track to open their album? "Frostbitten" it's sound is more aggressive with pounding drums somehow they are able to inflict the speed and intensity but never reach the pinnacle, "The Summoning" picks up a little bit with a catchy melody in the background but again pretty much flat, "Vagrant Spirits in a Misty Rainfall" remains with a dense riffage and some familiar melody, the drums are compelling, "...Of Woods and Omen" brings up an eerie acoustic guitar, it is a nice work that eventually get distorting, to make it even more memorable, "Throne of Snakes" exceptional track from beginning, crushing riff with guttural vocals explode with authority, certainly giving their own tight and epic label, the last track "Triumph Recalls My Name" came out about a year ago as their single, this track is very adventurous and epic, deeper growling vocals are clear enough to sing along, despite the slightly reminiscent of the aforementioned kings of the sub-genre, they were able to manage and leave a mark of something promising in the near future.

Vinterblot has the desire to cause an impress, but unfortunately didn't work for me very well, regardless the mixed and mastered by the legendary Swedish Producer and Artist Dan Swanö (Opeth, Dissection, Edge of Sanity and many more!), I believe they fail to balance the album, the first two thirds are pretty much flat, senseless, until the last third, right there is when I felt hooked by them, but you guys make your own choice and I really hope you disagree with me.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Evoked by Light

2. Frostbitten

3. Unveiling the Night's Curtain

4. The Summoning
5. Vagrant Spirits in a Misty Rainfall
6. ... of Woods and Omen (Instrumental)
7. Stone Carved Silence
8. Throne of Snakes
9. Triumph Recalls My Name



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Borknagar (2016) Winter Thrice

Band: Borknagar

Country of Origin: Norway

Status: Active

Genre: Progressive metal / Viking Folk metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Ltd. Edition Digipak
Length Approx.: 57:00 min.

Release Date: 01-22-2016

Current label: Century Media Records

Release label: Century Media Records

IR Classification: Excellent (4.7 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Winter Thrice grant the listener a satisfying experience

Has passed quite a bit of time since we heard the latest Borknagar production "Urd" released almost four years ago, "Winter Thrice" is their tenth full length, Yes! You listened right, they have just released a new album starting this 2016 in the best shape as they could and being honest with you guys, during the last fifteen years I haven't heard anything that matched their opus titled "Empiricism" back in 2001, were Borknagar began to experiment with some progressive elements rooted into Viking mythology, cosmos and nature.

It is undeniable how Borknagar has evolved over time, polishing their sound that wanders between a mixture of progressive rock, black metal, folk and atmospheric among some other elements, "Winter Thrice" grant to the listener a satisfying experience taking them through a varied landscape of soft tunes built over complex musical structures, vocally speaking they lead you to an epic climax that lingers from the beginning to end.

Borknagar current lineup seems to be the most talented they were able to put together, such an alliance would have been impossible to see a decade ago, but time and space work in wonderful ways and today we can appreciate their work with Øystein Garnes Brun on lead guitars, Jens F. Ryland on rhythm guitars, ICS Vortex on bass and vocals, Lars Are Nedland on keyboard and vocals, Vintersorg on vocals and Baard Kolstad behind the drums all together offer nearly a masterpiece in my opinion.

The first track of the albums is "The Rhymes of the Mountain" built over melodic guitar riff and blasting drums, while the clean vocals battles the harsh vocals, the keyboard layers some fine tunes striving to create an epic ambience, followed by "Winter Thrice" which opens with a soft keyboard and suddenly explodes in your face, seriously this track takes you into a journey between heaven in hell, formidably aggressive and calm at the right moment the wide vocal range gives the whole album another feeling, next is "Cold Runs the River" speed takes over by infected black metal riff layered brilliantly, powerful drums while the growl vocals stand out with terrific clean backing vocals, the remarkable part of this track comes in form of a superb guitar solo, "Panorama" goes more experimental, diving into a more deeper progressive current, but still sound refreshing for a midway album, then comes "When Chaos Calls" with a slightly reminiscence of Vintersorg, it seems that few riff were borrowed by Borknagar and these were infused in this cut, "Erodent" teases the listener with a varied harmony that rarely blast the moment, "Noctilucent" the shortest track in the album reflects the calm and grandiosity that simplicity can achieve, subtle vocals with lilting pace, "Terminus" delivers some vicious black metal riff blended with clean vocals engaging the listener, with countless twist here and there to sound interesting, the limited edition digipak contains a bonus track titled "Dominant Winds" which is an excellent closing track because simply doesn't break the balance crafted along the whole album making worthy to get this version.

While "Winter Thrice" can be really appreciated by fans of Opeth, Enslaved, Mastodon among others, there is another fact in the other hand for fans who want to join the progressive metal wagon this is a excellent choice to start with, for old fans lovers of "The Olden Domains" is not yet time to live those glorious days of yore, but I firmly believe there will be a time for it.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. The Rhymes of the Mountain

2. Winter Thrice

3. Cold Runs the River

4. Panorama
5. When Chaos Calls
6. Erodent
7. Noctilucent
8. Terminus
9. Dominant Winds (Bonus track)




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Enslaved (2015) In Times

Band: Enslaved

Country of Origin: Norway

Status: Active

Genre: Progressive Black / Viking metal

Type: Full length

Format: CD (Ltd Digipak)

Length Approx.: 53:00 min.

Release Date: 03-06-2015

Current label: Nuclear Blast

IR Classification: Excellent (4.5 / 5)

A Ferocious and beautiful piece of black metal

Enslaved is one of the few bands that has always caught my attention for their versatility, unique style in the song writing process, their progressive sound with no fear to experience new horizons, that is the reason to set them apart from all the bands emerging during the second wave of black metal, it had its origin at the beginnings of the nineties.

These Norwegians has demonstrated through their twenty four year of career an incredible progression from their Black metal roots leading us by an intricate and complex musical structure, offering us records as "Vikingligr Veldi", "Mardraum: Beyond the Within", "Below the Lights", "Isa", "Axioma Ethica Odini", "RIITIIR" to mention few of their huge catalog, now they approach to us with their latest album "In Times" it consist of six tracks surpassing the eight minute mark each and provide us some of the best tunes they have recorded so far.

The opening track "Thurisaz Dreaming" begins with a furious riff as hell is coming with it, while the harsh vocals by bassist/vocalist Grutle Kjellson are hellish then here we go with a subtle change of pace, and keyboardist/vocalist Larsen show off his clean vocals through the piece and you realize his evolution as singer if you think of him when they released "Isa" in 2004, "Building with Fire" probably the most catchy piece in the whole album and contrary to the previous track this one is more oriented to metal/rock comparable to Amorphis sound, unpretentious riff, aerie vocals gives an ethereal proportion there is a brilliant guitar solo and an exceptional bass interlude, all this elements will stick in your mind for a while, "One Thousand Years of Rain" it has a faint introduction that moves you into a reflection, to shake you off again Kjellson explode his throat to the skies and convey to a pure raw feeling alternating with harmonic and melodic chants battling each other, the wide variety of riff and progression chords are stunning at some time make you remember Opeth's style, "Nauthir Bleeding" comes to be one of the most progressive and diverse pieces in the album, perhaps the most unfathomable in their entire career, Bekkevold delivers a drumming section that sounds epic and flawless, rarely you will find a blending feeling of dynamism and balance alike as this, “In Times” keeps the same path as its predecessor but feels like they are building a wall with those progression chords before exploding into a chaotic commotion filled of blast, tremolo picking guitars and resonant growls, the conclusion of this albums comes by "Daylight" it has an unique atmosphere, dwells in a post-rock layers and it transcends to another plane,  the chants behind the harsh intonations are mesmerizing follows by one of the best if not the best guitar solo in this album, leaving the listener ecstatic kneeling before them and suddenly the final countercharge in form of a lethal guitar riff and hellish growls comes to end with you.

What we have here is that it's unlikely we can match it with any previous record released by Enslaved, what I mean is that it's a ferocious and beautiful piece of black metal, this album has the potential to be enjoyed by the listener little by little in a natural way, you just get carried away by your senses on a journey to the frenzy with subtle melodies, that will take your breath away, it is undeniable that Enslaved has been tracing a progressive path which seems endless while providing enough contrast and smooth transition for many years to come.

Stay True... Stay Metal... Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Thurisaz Dreaming

2. Building with Fire

3. One Thousand Years of Rain

4. Nauthir Bleeding

5. In Times

6. Daylight









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