Genre: Viking/black metal
Origin: Sweden
Released: 2008
Website: Fimbultyr
Label: Unexploded Records
Uploaded: 25.07.08

The debut by this new Swedish folk/Viking black metal band, and the intro build up enormous expectations with its bombastic choir, beautiful melody and dark, mystic aura. And as the intro dies out and the title track sets in we’re introduced to the new sound of Swedish Viking-inspired black metal, as Fimbultyr and Ulvnatt (also signed to Unexploded Records) seem to be on a mission to carry the genre into new heights.
The sound is heavy and brutal, as the bass can be heard as a murderous rumble throughout the album, and the guitars add tons of melody. There are some moments of awesome guitar leads and riffs, that are brought down to earth (to keep it from getting too melodic) by the harsh and grim screams of Christofer. It’s easy to imagine acts such as Thyrfing and Månegarm standing for a great deal of influences here. But I’d guess some brutality is brought in from Allegiance and Bathory as well.
Small quirks like the intro to Narstrand, which builds up emotions and expectations as well as serves as a high dose of brutality, and the psychotic circus-like keyboard section in Nidstång does well to add interesting twists to the music. Music that is otherwise already filled with versatility, as moments of utter melody is mixed with blasting. And the various tempo’s are many. There are times where you wanna be in the middle of the pit, raise your fist in the air and go ‘hey, hey, hey’ in a choir of sweaty metalheads, as well as there are times where you could just close your eyes, lean back and drift away to the atmosphere of the music.
It is a great album, that carries a punch of marvelous melody and adrenaline pushing choruses. But unfortunately the sound is a bit too dense at times, and doesn’t let the keyboard effects be audible enough. Maybe it’s intended to sound like so, to keep it from getting out of hand. But there are some moments where you almost miss some effects, as it’s set in the background of hammering drums, harsh screams and pummeling guitar work. But for the most part the section of acoustic guitars and keyboard does enhance the feel of ancient gatherings around the fireplace to discuss former and future encounters on the battlefields.

Tracklist:
01. …Ur fördärv
02. Gryende tidevarv
03. Ändlösa frågor
04. Nidstång
05. Narstrand
06. Ödets stig
07. Gudars vedergällning
08. Hel