#viking-metal — Public Fediverse posts

Amon Amarth
[2016] Jomsviking

#NowPlaying #DeathMetal #HeavyMetal #MelodicDeathMetal #Metal #VikingMetal

Bathory – Twilight Of The Gods #VikingMetal #compactdisc #kombi

Saturdays playlist (interesting what kind of stuff I have in my collection) !!!

INQUISITOR - Walpurgis - Sabbath Of Lust LP (Coloured)
SARCOFAGO - I.N.R.I. LP
THYRFING - Urkraft 2 x LP (Coloured)

#deathmetal #blackmetal #vikingmetal #inquisitorband #sarcofagoband #thyrfingband #vinyl #ListeningToVinyl #boringsaturdayafternoon #weirdsoundtrackofmylife #noiseforthemasses #neighbourhoodnightmare #giveemhellmailorder

Vintersorg – Vattenkrafternas spel Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier

Many moons ago, I stumbled upon the 2001 Borknagar release, Empiricism, having never heard the band before. While that opened the floodgates that ultimately resulted in my absolute admiration of that band, it was also the album that introduced me to lead vocalist Vintersorg. While many would argue that Borknagar has better albums and better lead vocal contributions from artists like Garm and I.C.S. Vortex. Regardless of preferences and the flavor you seek, Vintersorg’s voice stung me and forced me to explore the man’s solo career. Similar in approach to Borknagar, Vintersorg injects far more of the Viking folkiness than Borky. While both are ultimately progressive, Vintersorg is not afraid to tinker with some strange influences and bizarre keyboard atmospheres. At one point, a song grooves without much deviation, and the next, you haven’t a fucking clue what’s going on. Like any band, not all of it works, but Vintersorg is a solid outfit that, if you’re into the style, never lets you down.

This year brings Vintersorg’s eleventh release since debuting in 1998. Which is fucking wild, making them one of the most prolific of the style. Yet, this is the longest we’ve waited for a new release in the band’s entire existence. After releasing the sequel to their debut record in 2017, things have been quiet on the Vintersorg front. But now they are back with Vattenkrafternas spel sets out to take that same infusion of the Vintersorg of old with the Vintersorg of new that we heard from Till fjälls del II. Which I can’t complain about, considering I love it when the band knocks out some of those nasty black metal licks. Not that they have abandoned those influences in the last decade or so, but it’s a touch more prevalent on Vattenkrafternas spel. But, how far will they go, and how well will it work?

“Efter dis kommer dimma” gets the album going right away, delivering that classic Vintersorg sound I love. Ripping through a simple black metal riff, encased in Vintersorg’s traditional oooo’s and aaaah’s, it charges ahead waiting for the harsh vocals to body slam it. They do for a bit before the gorgeous, clean vocals take over. Toss in some circusy key work and the introduction of some female vocals in the powerful chorus, and we have a fitting opener to this new record. “Malströmsbrus” is another highlight, utilizing a similar pace and vocal performance but with far more of the band’s signature folkiness. Particularly when it comes to Vintersorg’s unique vocal diversity that I can only describe as Viking “yodeling”. Like the opener, “Malströmsbrus” features a memorable chorus that alternates between harsh and clean vocals, but it takes a dark turn in the back half. While the drums and guitars fight to keep the sinister passage alive to the end, they finally succumb to the beauty of the chorus to conclude the track.

While the keys have a presence in these two tracks, they dominate “Ur älv och å” and the closer, “Ödsliga salar.” Orchestral keys introduce the track before the drums and guitars join in the fun. After folking things up, the band transitions into a tasty riff with big fucking vocals that continue to rise until the chorus soars. But like “Malströmsbrus,” dark clouds form as the song drags the listener through fever dreams before soaring to the clouds and “yodeling” the hell out of your soul. But the closer takes it all to its limits. The orchestral parts are almost too big at times, creating an odd, overpowering effect on the rest of the instrumentation. But it still works, unlike the song’s predecessor, “Skyrök,” which goes on far too long, with orchestration that is almost comical at times. Yet, this song still tosses in everything but the kitchen sink, overlaying clean vocals with harsh and guttural barks, supporting Viking chants, and, for better or worse, a guitar/keyboard solo duel.

Like “Skyrök,” “Från djupet dunstar tiden” is another that tries too hard. Instead of a bunch of keys and orchestration that becomes overwhelming, it’s the interpretation of the sleek piano piece by the drums and guitars that makes things weird. Toss in some circusy keys and Vintersorg’s odd vocal approach, and the song’s back half loses my interest. But these issues don’t cripple the album, and the overall flow is pleasing. And, unlike some of the complaints on this site about more recent Vintersorg records, you will not see a DR4 for Vattenkrafternas spel. While Hammerheart Records refuses to send a promo with a higher bit rate, at least the DR7 helps a bit. Specifically, when it comes to the rumbling bass in the closer. In the end, Vattenkrafternas spel is another solid outing from the band, and I’m glad to see them back after eight long years.

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 192 kb/s mp3
Label: Hammerheart Records
Websites: vintersorg.bandcamp.com1 | facebook.com/vintersorganic
Releases Worldwide: September 26th, 2025

#2025 #35 #BlackMetal #Borknagar #FolkMetal #HammerheartRecords #ProgressiveMetal #Review #Reviews #Sep25 #SwedishMetal #VikingMetal #Vintersorg

Today's music:

Svartsot - Midsommer

https://youtu.be/vhtd7h5w2mM

#metal #FolkMetal #VikingMetal #Denmark #music #np #NowPlaying #MastoMusic

Burden of Ymir – The Long Winter Review

By Twelve

Joe Caswell of Sudbury, Canada first caught the attention of this blog in 2023, as the sole member of Drowstorm and Burden of Ymir. Both projects released albums in 2023, impressing all who wrote about them. In my case, Heorot was a fantastic introduction to the latter band, a blackened-yet-folky display of Viking metal that appealed to both my appreciation for mythologically-themed metal and my long–held belief that the accordion is the most metal of all the instruments. Now, just over two years later, Burden of Ymir return with its sixth full-length release (in as many years!): The Long Winter, with an album cover that promises just as much blackened goodness as we’ve come to hope for. At this point in the year, I’d love a long winter, but I’ll settle for some frosty metal if that’s what’s being offered!

At first glance, The Long Winter is exactly what you expect from Caswell and Burden of Ymir; the Norse influence is tangible, the black metal is blisteringly fast, and the accordion is present. And yet, The Long Winter is a darker, heavier record than its predecessor. Caswell does not hold back in the riffs department, and it’s a testament to his songwriting that The Long Winter feels heavy for the full forty-five minutes without sounding forced. Compared to Heorot, The Long Winter sees Burden of Ymir treading slightly less folk-y waters, focusing more on its black metal influences and allowing the concept to do some more of the lifting on the folk side. Songs like “Like Blood in the Snow” are angry, pulling no punches and letting riffs and blast beats shine. It’s recognizably Burden of Ymir, but sees a definitive step in a new—but still familiar—direction.

Still, folky fusion and blackened metal are two things Burden of Ymir do extremely well, and having the metal heavier only enhances the union. Opener “As Witches Under Cloak of Night” is a multifaceted gem with hooks, moody, tense interludes, and a galloping chorus that’ll have you setting sail before you know it. “Strange Craft” builds around an accordion lead in its intro into an unsettling, melodic journey through dark magic and black forests before exploding into black metal fury. “Another Seed of Yggdrasil” breaks out the clean singing for a mystical chorus that counterbalances Caswell’s rasps—as up to the task as ever, but at their most effective working alongside these more melodic elements. All this is to say that Caswell’s ability to blend black metal and Viking themes is as strong as ever, and The Long Winter is more enjoyable for it.

I’ve mentioned that The Long Winter dials back a bit on the “Viking” quality that was so apparent in Heorot, resulting in a listen that ultimately leans blacker and heavier than folky. The aforementioned accordion makes a few, brief appearances, and Caswell’s clean singing is much diminished. More notably, the hooky writing from Heorot is curiously absent; more songs are carried by riffs than leads, resulting in an overall less melodic listen. This makes tracks like “Strange Craft” and “As Witches Under Cloak of Night” stand out—they’re generally more energetic than the rest of the album, particularly the closing third. While it’s certainly all strong, it feels like the blend doesn’t quite mesh the way it should. There are a bunch of songs I love here, several that I like, and a few that feel like they’re there to beef up The Long Winter more so than entertain. They are entertaining—I can’t stress that enough—but I would hazard a guess that Burden of Ymir has a slightly different vision for The Long Winter than what I’ve personally experienced.

Still, Caswell is a great songwriter, strong guitarist, and knows his mythologies, meaning The Long Winter is a fun listen that continues his hot streak over several one-man projects, styles, and album releases. If black metal is your thing, there’s something for you here. If Viking folk is your thing, there’s something for you here. I won’t say it all comes together perfectly, but it doesn’t really have to. It just has to be enjoyable to listen to for most of an hour, and it is. If you like any of the above styles, I would happily recommend you take a break from the awful weather we’re having (read: warm) and enjoy a long winter instead.

Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Flowing Downward
Websites: burdenofymir.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/BurdenOfYmir
Releases Worldwide: July 4th, 2025

#2025 #30 #BlackMetal #BurdenOfYmir #CanadianMetal #Drowstorm #FlowingDownward #FolkMetal #Jul25 #Review #Reviews #TheLongWinter #VikingMetal