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Thyrfing > Farsotstider > Reviews
Thyrfing - Farsotstider

An evolutionary step in Thyrfing's new sound. - 95%

Nibelungvalesti, May 30th, 2006

Swedish Viking Metal outfit Thyrfing has gone a long way since its humble origins. Back in 1998, they appeared with their properly titled album, "Thyrfing". Technically, it was a rather standard offering that sounded somewhat like Dimmu Borgir, without a sizable chunk of cheese and with viking culture-themed lyrics. Aside from the catchy keyboard tunes, Thyrfing remained to be a rather entertaining than truly interesting band, both for "Thyrfing" and its sequel, "Valdr Galga". "Urkraft" was usually viewed as an experimental album, and though it wasn't truly new (actually, the most noticeable change was switching the main sound-alike from Dimmu to Borknagar) and the lyrical themes didn't change, they demonstrated they had a lot of technical potential that they had hidden before. In 2002, they published "Vansinnesvisor", probably their most truly experimental album. Most of the eight tracks were in Swedish, the instrumentations had grown darker and ominous, and the addition of folk instruments and the subdued keyboards added for a completely new (and very satisfying) sound. 2005 sees the return of Thomas Väänänen and his guys with "Farsotstider". Will it hold up compared against the outstanding "Vansinnesvisor"?

Upon a first listening, an untrained ear could well think they're the same album. "Farsotstider" isn't as much of a radical change as the prior album. However, why fix something that not just isn't broken, but actually works wonders? "Farsotstider" isn't without its own merits, mind you. Thyrfing have reduced the amount of folk orchestra in their melodies, and still have managed to make a thicker and darker atmosphere than in "Vansinnesvisor", if that is possible at all. Väänänen's voice sounds more menacing and intimidative than ever, and isn't free of a slight melancholic note that makes it far above the average Black Metal growl. String work by Henrik, Patrik and Kimmy is incredible, and more elaborate than in "Vansinnesvisor". The drums, played by Joakim Kristensson, don't stand out especially, but make a very proficient work and fit the new sound perfectly. Synthesizers come from Peter Lof, responsible for all the electronic work in the band's past offerings, and he delivers now even better than he did in "Vansinnesvisor", with dark melodies that add to the whole melancholy and dark realism of the sound. To end it all, the lyrics are all in Swedish, which is a pretty brave thing to do nowadays. I don't know the language more than what I can infer from my knowledge of Germanic ethymology, but I have to say that their lyrics sound incredible when sung.

Summing it all up, I like to see this album as what I wanted when I felt "Vansinnesvisor" was too short: both works complement each other very well, and form a single cycle in Thyrfing's sound that has an identity of its own, which is very commendable. Being an extreme (and I mean really extreme) Metal band which we're talking about, it's not an album for all audicences. Still, those who can appreciate the technical qualities of the genre will find an outstanding, intense and inspiring opus behind the dark and aggressive sound. On a side note, congratulations to the band for completing their fifth album in such a magnificent fashion without making any changes to their lineup. Says a lot for them on their side.

A Growing Dark Masterpiece - 92%

ict1523, December 25th, 2005

The wait for this album was rather long, 3 years, thankfully the last album was also great so the wait wasn't that agonizing....now this new album is indeed a grower. Most people will not like it that much the first time around, you have to listen to the album more than once to truly start loving it.

First of all this album continues on the path of "Vansinnesvisor" and develops it further. "Vansinnesvisor" was a rather heavy and dark album compared to the previous ones, however this one is even darker and heavier. The guitars are much heavier at times, there aren't very many folkish elements, keyboards while present aren't heard all that much, and the vocals are very harsh and angry, like Thomas usually presents us with.

The album opens up with "Far Åt Helvete", which has an odd start, guitar riffs that sound like they could come out of a hard rock song, I was actually turned back by it, but then as soon as I heard Thomas' deep dark growl and the drums come in I finallly was able to relax again since I knew it was Thyrfing. The song is rather heavy, but it also feels pretty atmospheric with the synths in the background at times throughout the song.

"Jag Spår Fördärv" is another song with an unusual beginning, but at about 35 seconds once again we get the synths and more melodic guitars as well as classic Vaananen screaming to assure us we are listening to Thyrfing. This song seems a bit repetitive until we come to about 2 and a half minutes into the song, where we get some nice keyboards. This is important to the song and to the album as a whole because it adds atmosphere which every Viking metal album needs, and it reminds you that you're supposed to be sad and depressed while listening to this which is what most of the album makes you feel like.

"Farsotstider" is a sadder song that begins well also. The keyboards are also heard here during the beginning of the song. The song is much more melodic which to me is good because once again it adds a great atmosphere.

"Höst" starts off with acoustic guitar, which I find to make for very good beginnings to Viking metal songs, and then explodes with Vaananen's vocals. This song isn't particularly heavy, but it isn't too melodic either, its a relatively mournful song.

"Själavrak" starts off with heavy guitars, drums, and harsh vocals. But at 0:50 you get much more melodic guitars which adds variation to the song and doesn't make it boring. The synths also help with the atmosphere.\

"Elddagjämning" starts off with a quiet and sad guitar tune. Vaananen's vocals are added to this, and it sounds a bit weird here, but later come in heavier guitars before the beginning repeats, and then you get more melodic guitars coming in and once again they sort of balance it out. We don't go back to the quiet guitars, but synths come in as well as the vocals to present a song most of us Thyrfing fans are slightly more familiar to...until once again you get the quiet guitars with the harsh growls. Although a different song at times, its very sad and well done.

"Baldersbålet" is a shorter but well done song. I love the part at about 0:37 where out of nowhere we get acoustics come in for about 2 seconds, and then it all explodes again with the vocals this time. Shows that when used properly acoustic guitars are a must have...

"Tiden Läker Intet" is probably my favorite song on the album. It starts off very dark and haunted especially with the synths adding to the atmosphere. Thomas's vocals are extremely fitting here. We also have a few breaks in here for acoustic guitar. My favorite part of the whole song though is the background synth melody at about 5:33, it sounds so beautiful yet sad, my favorite moment of the album despite it being so short. We get the same melody again at about 6 minutes.

This album is different and took time getting used to, but once I did, it proved to be a very decent album. It was certainly worth the three year wait, and I'll wait another 3 or 4 years if thats how long it takes to make such a masterpiece. This album is filled with beautiful guitars, synths, and creates a beautiful and sad atmosphere. However it is a bit of a negative that Thyrfing really didn't use any folk influences which made "Vansinnesvisor" so great. And even though I really liked this album after I got used to it and gave it such a high rating after two or more listens it got much more boring again, so I really can't leave it with such a high rating because it wouldn't be fair to other viking metal bands whose albums you could listen to over and over without becoming bored. This was definitely a great album, however nothing will take the place of "Vansinnesvisor".