HIMINBJORG RELEASE "THE FALL OF VALHALLA

 

PRESS RELEASE:

HIMINBJORG

The Fall Of Valhalla

release date : september 8, 2024 

Adipocere records

Cult black / viking / pagan metal band HIMINBJORG is about to release a new album on Adipocere records !

Tracklist :

- Brothers Sequane

- The Pathetic Men Show

- Dogma

- Architecture Of Annihilation

- The Fury Talk

- The Last Journey

- The Treshold

- Tribeless Child

- The Color Of Truth

The Fall Of Valhalla credits :

Music and Lyrics by Zahaah

Arrangements by Himinbjorg, Drum by K.H., Bass by Avgruun

Additional Lead Guitar:

Sven Vinat on "My Last Journey", Ludovic Tournier on "Brother Sequane, Architecture Of Annihilation solo 1, Tribeless Child", Baptiste Labenne on "The Fury Talk", Sylvain Ostengo on "The Color Of Truth", Louis Nas on " Architecture of Annihilation" solo 2

Additionnal voices: Isere LIoyd-Davis on "The Color Of Truth", Christophe Pion- Chozenon on "The Threshold"

Lyrics translation by Isere LIoyd-Davis

Lyrics on "The Threshold" from the book "The Initiation" by Rudolf Steiner (1909)

Cover by David Thiérrée

Photos by Sylvain Clapot

Recorded and Mixed by Zahaah

Except Drum recording by Cedric Lerges "Laforge" at Laforge Studio (FR)

Mastering by Greg Chandler at Priory Recording Studio (UK)

Biography :

Created in 1996 by Zahaah, HIMINBJORG released their first musical creations in 1997, with their demo 'Hedning' featuring folk sounds, recounting the artists’ pagan thoughts. Distributed in tape format and by post, this reflected a time when music productions of interest were mostly confidential.

In 1998, the band signed to the label American RedStream, and released their first album, "Where Ravens Fly", featuring warlike metal tones.

The tribal dimension, complimented by long ethereal atmospheric musical passages, remains present in their work today. HIMINBJORG have become renowned internationally and have toured a lot.

The second, darker album "In the Raven’s Shadow" (1999) constitutes a progression towards black metal with a more elaborately constructed sound. The exploration of the depths of the soul are more present than ever.

In 2000, the mini LP "Third" is released. Working in collaboration with Stéphane Buriez (Loudblast, Lb Lab), this album is more mid-tempo, and has a cleaner, more professional production, moving away slightly from their previous folkloric sound. The lyrics remain as introspective as one would expect from HIMINBJORG, dealing with the meaning of life, the behaviours of the modern man and pagan traditions.

The album « Haunted Shores » follows in rapid succession in 2001. It becomes one of the group's central pieces, created in a completely different style to the usual black metal stereotypes flooding the scene at the time. Demonstrating the fruits of their experience, each track is impressive, due to the melodies, but also their composition.

The year 2003 marks the return to a more violent and raw sound with the album "Golden Age" under the label Adipocere, featuring a warlike mood and leading to some spectacular on stage performances. Shortly afterwards, the album "Europa", composed of a selection of high quality and unique tracks, is unveiled. Following this release, the band step on the brakes and put the project on hold for 4 years.

Coming out from hibernation in 2008, Zahaah, the group's main composer, decides to bring HIMINBJORG back to life, recording a set of previously unreleased compositions dating back to 1996. The resulting album "Chants d‘Hier, Chants de Guerre, Chants de la Terre" (2009) is released under his own label, European Tribes. For the first time, the songs feature French lyrics and the band moves back to their renowned intimate folk sound. Once again, they have projected their pagan vision within a renewed musical envelope. Touring for a further 4 years, HIMINBJORG continues to share its vitality and impressive stage presence with their fans.

Most recently, in 2015, the album 'Wyrd' is launched into the scene via European Tribes in France and Vegvisir internationally. Passionate and powerful, this album is filled with war cries and dreams, and has been expertly produced and mixed at WSL studio by Zahaah and Patric "Darkhyrys" G. Special guests and friends on the album include the Breton Christophe Morvan (Soldat Louis, Try Yann, Sonorien Du…), and the GasconBaptiste Labenne( Boisson Divine) on the folkloric instruments.

The band make a deal for a better distribution worldwide with Osmose Production, and a complete new version of the album is coming soon under Digipack CD and Vinyl edition.

Busy 2015 fills up with concerts and collaborations for HIMINBJORG, including a European tour, allowing the band to perform the new album in all of its intensity.

During the 2020 COVID period, Zahaah decided to record a project called The Chant of Trees https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRAJjCzDGa8, based on early HIMINBJORG music from the 90s and offering an intense meditative folk journey.

HIMINBJORG are back on stage in 2023 and 2024 with shows in France, Helvetia, Germany, Brazil and more. They take advantage of this time to record a new album.

The latest album, entitled “The Fall of Valhalla”, is an ode to the revolt against humanity’s enslavement by malicious and financial powers. Tinted with black and death metal, the music urges individuals to delve into their ancestry to regain control over their mind and preserve life on earth. The album will be released in the Autumn by Adipocère Rec.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/HIMINBJORG-OFFICIAL/115469718481221

https://himinbjorg.bandcamp.com/

BLOODSHED WALHALLA RELEASE "GLORY TO THE SACRED LAND"

 

PRESS RELEASE:

GLORY TO THE SACRED LAND

by BLOODSHED WALHALLA

Glory to the Sacred Land is the sixth studio album by Bloodshed Walhalla recorded at the Firesword Studio in Matera. The album is a concept divided into six epic songs and in perfect Viking style where the glorious deeds and events of a Viking warrior are told, from the departure towards the battlefield to his agony and despair after the war until his return to home. The first song is "Fly my Raven", fast and melancholic where Drakhen tells the vicissitudes of the protagonist who leaves everything he holds most dear, identifies himself with the figure of the God Odin asking his crows to watch over and protect his woman that he may never see again, so our warrior leaves his land and is ready for battle.

"Glory to the Sacred" Land is the second song that gives the band its official album and single its name. In full Viking style, Drakhen praises the Gods through the prayers of the protagonist of the concept destined to die in battle and while fighting ferociously he sees the light of the sacred lands of Valhalla.

"A star for my Victory" is the third song, length and epicity which are the fundamental characteristics of the one-man-band where Drakhen tells the story of the dying warrior who, after the ferocious battle, lost and bleeding, finds himself on the shores of a lake to pray to the Gods to welcome him gloriously in Valhalla.

"Non sei tu" is the fourth piece sung entirely in Italian. Our warrior in full mystical crisis feels death coming and sees Odin in the mist but black shadows lurk in the trees on the lakeside and threaten his glorious victory and redemption towards Valhalla.

In the fifth piece "Il Lago", mixed between Italian and English, our warrior pushed by an extraterrestrial force gets up and desperately tries to escape the black shadows, with all the strength and glory of his name he fights the dark shadows on the bank of the lago managing to get the better of it to then remember his personal victory in his dreams every night for years to come.

The last track of the album is "Rise and fight, glory and victory". After all the vicissitudes, our warrior finds himself face to face with Odin who, gently and proud of his courage, shows him the way back home.

Earth And Sky Productions 

released August 10, 2023

GLORY TO THE SACRED LAND

The new album

OUT MARCH 2023

1- FLY MY RAVEN

2- GLORY TO THE SACRED LAND

3- A STAR FOR MY VICTORY

4- IL LAGO

5- NON SEI TU

6- RISE FIGHT GLORY AND VICTORY

ALL RIGHT RESERVED • PRODUCED BY

EARTH AND SKY PRODUCTIONS

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RECORDED IN SOUTHERN ITALY AT "FIRESWORD STUDIO" IN MATERA BETWEEN JUNE AND OCTOBER 2022

BY GIGI SCARANGELLA AND DRAKHEN FOR BLOODSHED WALHALLA

MIXED AND MASTERED AT "THE FOOL ON THE HILL STUDIO" MATERA BY GIGI SCARANGELLA AND DRAKHEN FOR BLOODSHED WALHALLA

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY DRAKHEN FOR BLOODSHED WALHALLA

DRAKHEN PLAYED: VOCALS AND CHOURS, GUITARS, BASS, KEYBOARDS, ELECTRIC DRUMS.

ARTWORK BY OLGA KANN

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AND PAINTED/GRAPHIC BY DRAKHEN FOR BLOODSHED WALHALLA

Contacts:

bloodshedwalhalla.com

www.facebook.com/BloodshedWalhallaOfficial

www.instagram.com/bloodshedwalhallaofficial

youtube.com/@Bloodshed_Walhalla

Bloodshed Walhalla

Via N.Paganini 25

75100 Matera

ITALIA

ENSLAVED RELEASE NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO: "FOREST DWELLER"

 

PRESS RELEASE:

Enslaved have released a new single and video from Heimdal, their 16th studio album due out on March 3rd 2023. 'Forest Dweller' launches with progressive splendor, guiding the listener into a churning, psychedelic journey through archaic Norse folklore. One might ask what lessons we can divine from our celestial ancestors? We might never understand their true intentions, but their echo will live on regardless.

Enslaved's Grutle Kjellson commented,

“To me 'Forest Dweller' was the most immediate song on the album, at least in its earliest form as an instrumental demo. I spent quite some time to get into some of the other songs of the album, but this one seemed somehow logical, well logical by Enslaved standards that is. I had an idea for a lyric, and Ivar’s amazing and diverse riffs on this one made it easy to pan out the scripture. I made a rough plan on what to sing over it, and we actually ended up using some parts of those recordings on the album!

The song sort of showcases our representative samples of inspiration: Led Zep, Genesis, Destruction, Iron Maiden and David Bowie, to mention a schizophrenic tapestry of influences. It mirrors in the lyrics as well, which deals about both darkness and light in connection to the nature of Heimdal.”

You can pre-order Heimdal here: https://enslaved.bfan.link/heimdal

Listen to 'Forest Dweller' here: https://enslaved.bfan.link/forest-dweller

Watch the 'Forest Dweller' video here: https://youtu.be/VwfHfQX6WSw

Heimdal, is both a departure and a communion with roots forged over three decades ago in the turbulent birth throes of Norway’s black metal scene. The record is named after Heimdal, arguably the most mysterious entity in Nordic mythology.

The record features psychedelic track 'Caravans To The Outer Worlds' from last year's EP of the same name. Album bonus versions contain an extra track, 'Gangandi', alongside a Blu-Ray copy of 2021's stunning Otherworldly Big Band Experience streamed event - the band's boldest project to date, featuring fellow Norwegian prog band Shaman Elephant. The kaleidoscopic stage show features a stellar setlist, covering Enslaved's career, both past and present. 

Enslaved in 2022 are a band in stellar form - a band at its most existentialist and self-conscious, proud Bergeners bearing the torch of their hometown’s extraordinary musical history. Their most recent material shows Enslaved at their most unleashed and thought-through - a lethal combination unfurling a potential that’s easily rekindling the furor of their early works while dancing gracefully through their most ambitious, most haunting and most musical tunes yet. A contradiction? Life itself is a contradiction. And yet we all live to prove it wrong.

UBUREN RELEASE "USURP THE THRONE"

 

PRESS RELEASE:

Usurp the Throne

by Uburen

Tracklist:

1.En Død Manns Drøm

2.Harken Now 04:30

3.When The River Breaks 04:51

4.Usurp the Throne

5.Defiance Towards Futility

6.Bring Forth Ragnarok

7.None Is Forgotten

8.As Sorrow Turns to Hate

Hailing from Stavanger norwegian firestarters UBUREN play harsh black metal with a personal interpretation of viking metal brought together in an endless stream where thoughts and music have melted together and become one indescribable piece.

Uburen has always focused on being a live-band over being a studio band, headlining tours all over the world in countries such as Mexico, England, Germany and Russia. They have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in extreme metal like Enslaved, Einherjer and Harakiri For the Sky. Rigthfully being called one of the best underground live acts in the black metal scene and a force to be reckoned with

After two full length self-released albums they have released "Usurp the Throne" which is a 8-track album spreaded worldwide at the beinning on 2023 on Dusktone label.

Cold and atmospheric, raw and haunting, this brand new opus marks a new highpoint for the band with a journey through eight unhallowed soundscapes, covering classic norwegian Black Metal and primitive Viking Metal and a large dose of obscurity and nordic violence.

releases January 20, 2023

https://dusktone.bandcamp.com/album/usurp-the-throne

https://www.facebook.com/dusktone

https://www.facebook.com/uburen/

https://instagr.am/uburen_official

BLOODAXE RELEASE "GALES OF NOVEMBER"

 

PRESS RELEASE:

Gales Of November

by Bloodaxe

Tracklist:

1.I, Destroyer 03:39

2.Waking The Fates 06:38

3.Born To The Horns 03:13

4.Sails Of My Father 06:50

5.Beneath The Sun (My Heart Did Sink) 05:00

6.Thirst Of The Tyrant 04:15

7.Thus Wept The Sea Widow 05:37

8.The Bridge Below 04:32

9.Three Winters 03:55

10.After The Rats Have Fled 06:03

11.Waves Of Ægir 09:41

released November 21, 2022

Bloodaxe is Nordavinden. Mixed & Mastered by Tore Stjerna @ NBS Studios, Sweden.

Bloodaxe is Nordavinden.

One Man from the North,

Boreal Black Metal.

Foreskin & Forethought.

Forefathers.

For Folk.

Bloodaxe - Gales of November (2022)

Bloodaxe-For Those Who Hunt The Wounded Down (2013)

Bloodaxe - Raping The Ancient (2004)

Bloodaxe - BloodThrone (2001)

Bloodaxe - In Battle EP (2000)

https://bloodaxe2.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TrueBloodaxe

EREB ALTOR RELEASE "VARGTIMMAN"

 

PRESS RELEASE:

Ereb Altor

Vargtimman

Hammerheart Records

14 January 2022

In the age of the Wolf Ereb Altor leads the way. Powerful Epic Pagan Metal that is way ahead of the pack!

Ereb Altor always promises one thing with each release: Epic, Folk-blended Metal inspired by the Norse legends. “Vargtimman” shakes things up again with a true and sincere Pagan theme in its lyrics and art. Each song delivers majestic riffs and some of the best vocal work from the band. Sharp Heavy Metal riffs, Nordic melodies, catchy choruses and pounding drums burst set the tone for the rest of the album.

While it does retain the Norse mythological themes in its lyrics, it’s probably the most emotionally song collection that Ereb Altor has released. Aside from the well sung lyrics, both in a harsher blackened voice and incredible epic clean singing, Epic riffs ring throughout the whole album to give it the titanic feeling this juggernaut deserves.

Ereb Altor’s songwriting style is their biggest strength, they write killer songs, memorable songs. When they break away and get into some real shredding they even add to the incredible strong atmosphere. This is by far the best composed and therefor mature Ereb Altor album in their already impressive career, thanks to its added keyboards, good blend of epic and more traditional riffs, and the vocals being arguably the best ever laced on an Ereb Altor album. “Vargtimman” is among the best Viking metal albums in many years and possibly one of the better one in 2022!

This killer album must have made Quorthon smile, so check it if you like: Bathory’s epic years, Grand Magus, Primordial, Enslaved, Wardruna

Orders: order@napalmrecords.com

Order via: b2b.napalmrecords.com

Wholesale: karl.kern@napalmrecords.com

IUVENES RE-RELEASE "TRIUMPH OF THE WILL" EP

 

PRESS RELEASE:

Triumph Of The Will

by Iuvenes

Genre: Black viking metal

Label: No Colours Records

Tracklist:

1.Glory To The War 05:34

2.Pure Aryan Blood 05:00

3.Cuchulainn's War Chariot 04:27

4.Triumph Of The Will 05:20

about

No Colours Records

2006

credits

released December 25, 2021

https://iuvenesofficial.bandcamp.com/

EREB ALTOR RELEASE NEW TRACK: "I HAVE THE SKY"

PRESS RELEASE:

New Ereb Altor song online on all digital platforms! We proudly present the last single taken from our upcoming album “Vargtimman” which will be released January 14th on CD/2-CD/LP/Boxset/Digital! Enjoy!

Ereb Altor always promises one thing with each release: Epic, Folk-blended Metal inspired by the Norse legends. “Vargtimman” shakes things up again with a true and sincere Pagan theme in its lyrics and art. Each song delivers majestic riffs and some of the best vocal work from the band. Sharp Heavy Metal riffs, Nordic melodies, catchy choruses and pounding drums burst set the tone for the rest of the album.

Pre-order at Hammerheart Records here: https://bit.ly/3nUxBfX

Pre-order at Napalm Records here: https://bit.ly/3xQ1ORM

Pre-order at Napalm Records USA here: https://bit.ly/3lvtxSR

ANTIQUUS SCRIPTUM RE-RELEASE "AHBRA KHADABRA"

 

PRESS RELEASE:

Ahbra Khadabra

by ANTIQUUS SCRIPTIM

Genre: Black viking metal / Ambient

Label: Vegvisir Distribution

Tracklist:

1.Epicus Maximus - IX Symphony (Excertos) - Preludio 01:42

2.The Mirror's Magic Sights 11:58

3.Jardim Celeste (TeknoAXE ; Passaggio I) 03:04

4.… Lágrymas & Negra Philosophia, No Meu Phantasmagórico Labyrintho Theatral… 09:46

5.Secretum Templi (Passando o Portal Abracadábrico ; Intermezzo II) 02:25

6.Seven Silver Keys 04:57

7.Evolve - Nocte Mysterium Regni ; Melodramma III) 00:29

8.A Luz Azul 04:43

9.Skruzos (The Skull Crusher ; Decrescendo IV) 00:56

10.Russians 04:28

11.Perfume Secrets (The Lost Words...) - Epilogo 01:10

12.(Silence) 01:00

13.Hidden Track (TeknoAXE) 03:40

about

Re-Release as DIGIFILE-CD

credits

released November 12, 2021

https://vegvisirdistribution.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Antiquus-Scriptum/162947117162966?skip_nax_wizard=true

ENSLAVED RELEASE "URJOTUN" VIDEO

 

PRESS RELEASE:

Norway's premier progressive black metallers ENSLAVED have today released third single 'Urjotun' from their upcoming studio album Utgard - out 2nd October via Nuclear Blast. The single, one of their most experimental yet, is accompanied by a psychedelic video detailing dark visions and a journey to the outer reaches of the subconscious.

Vocalist Grutle Kjellson commented: “The lyrical idea for Urjotun had been spinning around in the chaos in the back of my head for quite a while, when Ivar sent me the riff-demo last autumn. I knew instantly that this was it, the very soundtrack of the rise of the primeval giant, the Urjotun! Our mutual love and fascination for that early krautrock scene and for bands like Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk, finally fully ascended in an Enslaved song, almost 30 years after we picked up those legendary kraut-albums. It’s funny, that in Germany they referred to this kind of music as “Kosmische Musik”, cosmic music! And, that is exactly what this song is about; cosmic chaos. On top of this, director David Hall, made a perfect projection and visualization of our troubled minds.”

Pre-order Utgard here: https://www.nuclearblast.com/enslaved-utgard

Watch 'Urjotun' here: https://youtu.be/pXzRjf7OMek

In Utgard, ENSLAVED continue exploring uncharted progressive and psychedelic territories - placing them in a unique position of both bearers of tradition as well as explorers into the unknown - propelling themselves into the future, yet honouring their roots. Enslaved have launched an Urjotun t-shirt available in their merch store:

US store: https://enslaved.aisamerch.com

EU store: https://enslaved.aisamerch.de/shop-en

SURTURS LOHE RELEASES "SEELENHEIM" / SURTURS LOHE LANZA "SEELENHEIM"

ENGLISH

Viking folk black metal band Surturs Lohe will release their new album "Seelenheim" on September 2nd. The new album is the fourth full length release by the band and the follow up to their "Nornenwerk" album released in 2011. "Seelenheim" will be released through Einheit Produktionen and will feature the following tracks:

1. Der Kaiser im Berg

2. Lohe Surt

3. Seelenheim

4. Unter der Linden

5. Gotengrab

6. Sumar kehre heim

7. Schwertleite

8. Schildwacht

Surturs Lohe Facebook

ESPAÑOL

La banda de viking folk black metal Surturs Lohe lanzará su nuevo álbum "Seelenheim" el 2 de septiembre. El nuevo álbum es el cuarto larga duración de la banda y el sucesor de su "Nornenwerk" lanzado en 2011. "Seelenheim" será editado a través del sello Einheit Produktionen y contendrá los siguientes temas:

1. Der Kaiser im Berg

2. Lohe Surt

3. Seelenheim

4. Unter der Linden

5. Gotengrab

6. Sumar kehre heim

7. Schwertleite

8. Schildwacht

Surturs Lohe Facebook

FIMBULTYR RELEASES "NIDDIKTER" / FIMBULTYR LANZA "NIDDIKTER"

ENGLISH

Swedish black viking metal band Fimbultyr will release their new album "Niddikter" on July 22nd. The new album is the second full length release by the band and the follow up to their debut "Gryende Tidevarv" released in 2008. "Niddikter" will be released through Unexploded Records and will feature the following tracks:

1. Oförgätlig erinran

2. Bergtagen av sorg 

3. Lindisfarne

4. Själaberövad

5. Balders död

6. Av resen snärjd

7. Skåda Hels armé

8. Hedningens tid

Fimbultyr Bandcamp

Fimbultyr Facebook

ESPAÑOL

La banda sueca de black viking metal Fimbultyr lanzará su nuevo álbum "Niddikter" el 22 de julio. El nuevo álbum es el segundo larga duración de la banda y el sucesor de su debut "Gryende Tidevarv" lanzado en 2008. "Niddikter" será editado a través del sello Unexploded Records y contendrá los siguientes temas:

1. Oförgätlig erinran

2. Bergtagen av sorg 

3. Lindisfarne

4. Själaberövad

5. Balders död

6. Av resen snärjd

7. Skåda Hels armé

8. Hedningens tid

Fimbultyr Bandcamp

Fimbultyr Facebook

REVIEW: THYRFING - VANSINNESVISOR

 

THYRFING - VANSINNESVISOR (Hammerheart Records, 2002 )

Produced By: Daniel Bergstrand

Tracks: 1- Draugs Harg, 2- Digerdöden, 3- Världsspegeln, 4- the Voyager, 5- Ångestens Högborg, 6- The Giants Laughter, 7- Vansinnesvisor, 8- Kaos Återkomst

Cover Art by Niklas Sundin

Recorded at Dug Out Prods.

This band has established themselves as one of the main viking metal bands in the scene. I think the main point in their music is the balance between the fastest parts similar to the ones in black/death metal with ancient melodies (the keyboardist is killer). The guitarists are extremely tight and another important side of thyrfing´s music is the interconnection between this two musicians doing the riffs and interacting a lot in the melodic sections where one plays the melody while the other harmonizes or does a good riff. I have to remark again the keyboards that are essential to Thyrfing´s sound adding this ancient spirit that their music needs along with the vocals (that in the parts when they make melodies are really ethereal). Daniel Bergstrand´s production has also enhanced the results that the band got in the studio making the music shine. Pure epic viking metal !!

Favorite tracks: The whole CD. It is a future classic

Contact: www.hammerheart.com

REVIEW: FORLORN - OPUS III AD CAELESTIS AES

 

FORLORN - OPUS III AD CAELESTIS AES (Napalm Recs., 2000)

Produced by Øyvind Grøden and Forlorn

Recorded at Mansion Studios

Artwork by Tor Søreide Design

Tracks: 1- Distant Worlds and Distant Moons; 2- Legions of the Empire; 3- Spiritshade; 4- Shadow Cult; 5- Phantoms, 6- Necto Spiritus; 7- Midnight´s Overture; 8- Legends of Creation

A thought was spinning in my mind while listening to this band. How can I describe their music? After a lot of thinking I decided that the best way would hev been with some label like "melodic black metal with some operistic vocals". In fact this description is real but not completely accurate because it fails to describe Forlorn´s music in all its magnitude. In fact, there are black metal elements (specially some vocals and guitar riffs), there are a lot of keyboards that embellish the tracks, then there is a hyper double bass drumming and a lot of rhythm changes. Finally there are different type of vocals: some are more guttural, some are like operistic male vocals (in the more melodic parts). I liked a lot the way in which the songs are composed because it makes each track completely different from the other and that adds a lot of interest to the whole CD. A great album.

Favorite tracks: "Shadow Cult", "Legions of the Empire" and "Legends of Creation".

Contact: www.napalmrecords.com

REVIEW: HIMINBJORG - HAUNTED SHORES

 

HIMINBJORG - HAUNTED SHORES (Red Stream Recs. 2001)

Tracks: 1- The Aves, 2- War, 3- The Haunted Shores, 4- Of Desire and Lust, 5- The Eternal, 6- Lonely, 7- The Voices of revenge

Himinbjorg is a killer band that is always on the edge between black and death metal with incredible song structures and amazing melodies (I love the way one of the guitarist plays them while the other makes this heavy riffs that are the core of the tracks contaied here). And here lies the main element in Himinbjorg´s music: they are not doing hyper speed and furious riffs all the time....they prefer diversity adding slow riffs in a lot of parts and some clean vocals followed by some melodies. Then they change to faster rifffs and more brutal vocals. But they are not afraid of using this diverse styles. And this is one of the main points here: Diversity (checkas an exmple the track "War" and listen the way they combine from screaming vocals to vocal harmonies in a few seconds). There are a lot of clean guitars here and there (like on "The Haunted Shores") that embellish the songs. If you want great metal with a lot of ideas then check Himinbjorg. One of the best CDs of the month. Favorite tracks: The whole CD. Contact: www.redstream.org

REVIEW: FOREFATHER - THE FIGHTING MAN

 

FOREFATHER - THE FIGHTING MAN (Angelisc Enterprises, 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded and Mixed at the Croft, Surrey (England).

Produced by Forefather

Design and Layout by H.R. Graphics.

Track List: 1- The Fighting Man, 2- A New Dawn, 3- Together They Stood, 4- For These Shores, 5- The Call To Arms, 6- Out of Darkness, 7- The Paths of Yesterdays, 8- The Last Battle, 9- When our England Died

How can we describe the music that Forefather makes? Is death metal? Yes, but saying that is to narrow...Is it black metal? Well, they have some riffs that sound like black metal...but that is too narrow too...Is it heavy metal? Well, they have melodies, certain power metal runs here and there, but this is being to narrow too. Is it gothic? They have some vocals that could be of the style, but that is being short sighted too. Well, then how can we describe this? I think the better way is saying that they are a combination of all the styles mentioned above, really difficult, uh? But it is true...the combination of elements of all the styles is here at its maximum. And I think this is in part because of the versatility of the two members of the band: Athelstan who plays drums, guitars, bass and keyboards and Wulfstan who plays drums, guitars, bass and does the vocals. If you like recordings were each song is different from the other and have many different moods then this is the choice for you. Favorite tracks: "For these Shores", "Out of Darkness" and "When Our England Died". Contact: http://members.aol.com/AngeliscE.