Norwegian Native Art

So Einherjer has left Century Media and signed to a little label closer to home, which may or may not be their own creation. The bio that came with this CD doesn't really make it clear. It doesn't matter to me, as long as this record is distributed widely and listened to on a large scale - because it surely deserves it.

I'll be the first to admit that I was never completely seduced by the entire 'viking metal' genre - flowing from Bathory's initial salvo 'Hammerheart' and later mixing itself with Manowar, becoming in the process a metal scene that had equal taste for pathos and bathos, primal rage and pomposity - if Enslaved are 'viking metal', then what are Thyrfing, Mithotyn, and Einherjer? The scene seems to be tightly constricted at first, but the closer you look the more obvious the boundaries become, and there are few bands from the Scandinavians lands that have not turned their hand to a few well-worn viking themes. Some seem to grow away from it after a while (Amorphis), sinking deeper into their own culture or mythology, others adopt it as their particular mode and style. To be inspired by one's own history and native culture can hardly be a detrimental thing in a music style (I'm talking about extreme metal as a whole here) that is known for a lack of originality - at least it offers you a steady stream of themes and subjects. The reason it just seems like such a cliche now is because so many bands have come out of Scandinavia over the last ten or twelve years, and almost all of them, one way or another, are seen to reflect positively on the past glory of their land. Where are the South American bands with their stories and mythologies? The Chinese, the African? Missing in action. I am willing to listen to music in this style, still flowing steadily from the Northern lands - but only, now, if it offers something new to my ears.

If Enslaved are the seers, prophets, and dark shamans of viking metal, spreading a melodic vision that is tenebrous, technical, and overwhelming - mining the black heart of the genre, always searching for something new - then Einherjer are like the messengers that carry the words of the shamans to the rulers of the realm, and the strong swordsman under the liege of those same powers. They are the bards from the front line of the viking raids - singing from direct experience. Their music has a much more immediate, modern, and direct feel to it - songs sung on battlefields, for immediate ends: spreading cheer, raising the heart to contemplate glory, and readying the berserkers for slaughter. This isn't music that reaches deep into the soul, stirring hidden powers there, but it is moving nonetheless - a physical power, a song and series of singers from the daylight hours, chanting lays of their own history, and of their destiny to come. Huge bruising chords and longship slabs of bass slam repeatedly into you, the drums beat out a steady tattoo of ocean-washed skin upon skin, hastily switching from a measured rowing pace to the distracted excitement and ebb-and-flow of approaching war. The keyboards drip scintillating sparkles of rain from a gray sky, mimicking the spray of cold waves and sea foam over a keel, and the cries of sea birds high above, or swell into grand choruses that take the place of a gathering of warriors. Instead of searching within the depths of eons past for rites of power, Einherjer bring the past into the present, and resurrect its grim spirit with the all the enthusiasm of artists genuinely inspired by their heritage. I wish them luck in their crusade.

UA

Erebus Magazine
http://erebuszine.blogspot.com

Given my web name, I figure this album is appropriate for my first review! Einherjer is a now defunct (*sniffle*) Viking metal band and as original as anyone. If you are a fan of any of their other albums, you know what to expect: buy it. For you others, who have not heard this particular piece of metallium, prepare for a pagan pleasure.

The lyrical theme is of course Norse (Odin’s ravens, Yggdrasil tree, etc,) so let’s get to the music. ‘Wyrd of the Dead’ starts off the album with a slow-to-midpaced, but vigorous, tempo, and you are greeted by a uniquely acidic growl with a reasonable amount of intelligibility; no fear of any “Halford” impersonations here! Einherjer uses a distinctive mix of rhythms and instrument placement. They have a signature groove, without just riffing as fast as possible, that makes you nod and swing your head, pump your fists and swing a sword… then do it all in unison. You get the sense they are really inspired and are not just a formula band. Even though the rhythm guitar isn’t as obvious or as spectacular as some tech-death bands, it is very strong, well played, gives the music direction and always stays exciting. The drums offer an attention-grabbing, rhythmic and artistic yet simple style to the album. The keyboards are constantly present, but are used only as support and never seem out of place (unless you, in particular, just aren’t into keys.) Lead guitar is melodic and structure-based, although rare. Andy LaRocque (King Diamond) puts in a typical LaRocque lead on song 2, ‘Doomfaring.’ While the bass doesn’t stick out like Iron Maiden 100% of the time, it is well mixed in the production and gives a full sound to the record. The final song, Regicide, is a type of folky, atmospheric down-tempo song with a nice dark tone. Clean male and female vocals dominate this last track: male/duet/female. Finally it ends with a minute of raspy reprise and a stressful moment as the vocals and music suddenly subside.

The end product is unmistakably one of the finest Viking metal specimens existing; therefore if you like the genre at all, this album is more than worth a try!