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On disc: Thyrfing



Vansinnesvisor - Joao Santos - 8 stars
Hels Vite - Claudia Ehrhardt - 8 stars


www.thyrfing.com









Hels Vite

Hels Vite
(Regain Records - 2008)


The Swedish band Thyrfing has been through some changes, singer Thomas Väänänen and guitarist Hendrik Svegsjö left the band and that also effects their sound. A singer is already found, it's ex-Naglfar, ex-Dead Silent Slumber singer Jens Rydén, but they haven't hired a new guitarist yet.
The five-some kicks off with En Sista Litania, a heavy tune with aggression and melody. More doom metal with atmospheric keyboards then a death metal attack. Singer Jens Rydén sings a bit deeper and that fits well to the heavy groove. For a moment they speed up a bit, but the keyboard with its light melody is the counterpart. The track isn't overly catchy, but after a few spins it hooks you up. Towards the end you get a part with fast riffing, a reference to black metal, but then they are back to the Viking metal grounds. The following Från Stormens Öga is a kind of Viking metal hymn and will soon hook you up. The vocals are harsh growls, but fit well to the Thyrfing sound - like the acoustic guitar part. These days Thyrfing's songs are more mid-paced and quite long, but they keep it interesting. With Isolation the Swedish present a song with English lyrics, the track is faster and shows their black metal roots, but there are also some slower parts... A combination of up-tempo black metal parts and hymn-like Viking metal passages. Very cool!
Quite modern sounds Hels Vite with the distorted vocals, but soon Jens Rydén is back with his 'normal' voice. The title track is another mid-paced track, but with some slow passages and you'll also find some folk elements. Again they use acoustic guitars for a moment, another facet in their sound universe. Another highlight is the last track Tre Vintrar – Två Solar. And also another long one, actually Thyrfing's songs got longer and more atmospheric and epic. A sound track to the dark cold days / nights in the North.
Personally I think that it was a step forward for Thyrfing and that Jens Rydén is make them stronger. If they will hire a second guitarist and if he will have influence on their sound, only time will tell. Meanwhile check out Hels Vite!


8 stars

Claudia Ehrhardt
 

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Vansinnesvisor

Vansinnesvisor
(Hammerheart Rec. - 2002)


New album, the 4th, from these Vikings that sung most of the themes in their native language. After the excellent Urkraft, this one was a 'blind' buy and I wasn't disappointed. While not as easy as the previous album, this one adds new dimensions and a wider range. The music is what is called Viking metal, a mix of death metal, some black, with lots of pagan and folk influences and a typical northern concept. They changed the producer, from the well known Tommy Tägtgren (Abyss Studios) to the more flexible Daniel Bergstand (last In Flames, Strapping Young Lad, Meshuggah). All the album is great and each music has its own essence. Anyway, I highlight the typical Viking and plenty of changes Draugs Harg, the irresistible mid-tempo Digerdoden, the more melodic Varldsspegeln or the varied symphonic-death 7 min long Angestens Hogborg (reminds me Opeth, another great band). If you want to feel sea water splashes in your face in a dark cold winter, while preparing to attack a village, this one's for you.


8 stars

Joao Santos
 

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           ©2008-2010 by Claudia Ehrhardt • E-Mail: contact@ice-vajal.com


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