It took five years for Bergen-based Norwegian Galar to release a new full-length after the sophomore album Till alle heimsans endar. De gjenlevande, the third, new album by the Norwegians, delivers a melodic black metal with folk and symphonic tones. The brand of the Norwegian duo is impressed to the best on the eponymous opening track: melancholic and melodious riffs backed by engaging mid-tempos and hammering blast beats; I find there are influences from fellow citizens Helheim. On the contrary, the third track “Bøkens hymne” perhaps displays to the best the symphonic skills of the band. Throughout the album there is alternation between hoarse growls and clean vocals. I am not however persuaded by the vocal performance, especially when it comes to the clean vocals, which lack epic powerfulness and effectiveness and are sometimes a bit too mawkish. Also the sound is not the best and penalizes the efficiency of the album, which in the long run loses the capacity to engross the listener. Beautiful the winds à la Emerson, Lake & Palmer of the instrumental “Ljos”.
Jorge Blutaar, the band’s lyricist, recently briefly explained the concept behind the album, which draws its inspiration from Pan-European folklore, ontology, and elegies. "Its five contemplative texts tell of the utter dreadfulness that haunts both the human mind and body when the season of winter holds every living thing in its grasp. Winter is the time of utter gloom, enfeeblement and inescapable death, which challenges mankind, beasts and plants equally. Yet, as long as there is life, there is hope, and eventually a new era of the Sun will bring to an end the seemingly eternal darkness of winter. With the arrival of spring hope and life will flourish once more. It is a portrayal of this cyclical process of transformation that is as old as the history of mankind itself".
In conclusion De gjenlevende is not certainly among the most exciting album released in 2015, but it is very good and can surely appeal to those who like symphonic and folk melodies.
Notes:
Release date: March 16 2015 on Dark Essence Records. De gjenlevende translates in Norwegian for 'The Surviving'. The digital album can be purchased through the Bandcamp player below at the price of 8 euros.
Tracklist:
1. De gjenlevende
2. Natt … og taust et forglemt liv
3. Bøkens hymne
4. Ljós
5. Gjeternes tunge steg
6. Tusen kall til solsang ny
Personnel:
Fornjot: clean vocals, piano, keyboards, bassoon
Slagmark: vocals, guitar, bass
Guest musicians:
Tatiana Palanca: vocals (female)
Ricardo Odriozola: violin,viola
Danilo Kadovic: French horn
Kristina Winiarski: cello
Morten Nome: double bass
Phobos: drums
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
Jorge Blutaar, the band’s lyricist, recently briefly explained the concept behind the album, which draws its inspiration from Pan-European folklore, ontology, and elegies. "Its five contemplative texts tell of the utter dreadfulness that haunts both the human mind and body when the season of winter holds every living thing in its grasp. Winter is the time of utter gloom, enfeeblement and inescapable death, which challenges mankind, beasts and plants equally. Yet, as long as there is life, there is hope, and eventually a new era of the Sun will bring to an end the seemingly eternal darkness of winter. With the arrival of spring hope and life will flourish once more. It is a portrayal of this cyclical process of transformation that is as old as the history of mankind itself".
In conclusion De gjenlevende is not certainly among the most exciting album released in 2015, but it is very good and can surely appeal to those who like symphonic and folk melodies.
Notes:
Release date: March 16 2015 on Dark Essence Records. De gjenlevende translates in Norwegian for 'The Surviving'. The digital album can be purchased through the Bandcamp player below at the price of 8 euros.
Tracklist:
1. De gjenlevende
2. Natt … og taust et forglemt liv
3. Bøkens hymne
4. Ljós
5. Gjeternes tunge steg
6. Tusen kall til solsang ny
Personnel:
Fornjot: clean vocals, piano, keyboards, bassoon
Slagmark: vocals, guitar, bass
Guest musicians:
Tatiana Palanca: vocals (female)
Ricardo Odriozola: violin,viola
Danilo Kadovic: French horn
Kristina Winiarski: cello
Morten Nome: double bass
Phobos: drums
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com