It was with a big amount of expectation that I first put Fenris kindir into my stereo. Arckanum, the Swedish one man band of Shamaatae that exists since 1992 and now has become something of a legend, has released great masterpieces in recent years among which ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ (released in 2009) is really outstanding; nevertheless, my expectation was partially disappointed.
Of course Fenris kindir is a good album, it is still the latest album by Arckanum, but it does not reach the grandeur of ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ. It has a very gray atmposphere that can well describe its hellish setting; as suggested by the title, which in Old Norse means ‘The Sons of Fenrir’ (Fenrir is the monstrous wolf who, according to the old sources, killed Odin), this album is dedicated to the infernal creatures of the ancient Norse mythology; some examples are “Fenris kindir grúa”, “Fenris gangr”, “Angrboða”. In an effort of consistency with the addressed themes, the lyrics are as usual in Old Norse. Fenris kindir is a concept album like most of Arckanum albums and also contains a cover of Necromantia, “Lycanthropia”, which is unusual.
I believe that a weak point is the too many interruptions with “psychedelic” parts that make one’s listening heavier and the album not so straight to the point; the violins of “Hamrami” are beautiful and full of pathos, though.
Shamaatae, who is also very engaged in his work as a writer (his third book Þurakingi will be released on December 21, 2014), this time has given us a good album, but not his best one.
Notes:
Fenris Kindir was released on May 10, 2013 on Season of Mist.
Of course Fenris kindir is a good album, it is still the latest album by Arckanum, but it does not reach the grandeur of ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ. It has a very gray atmposphere that can well describe its hellish setting; as suggested by the title, which in Old Norse means ‘The Sons of Fenrir’ (Fenrir is the monstrous wolf who, according to the old sources, killed Odin), this album is dedicated to the infernal creatures of the ancient Norse mythology; some examples are “Fenris kindir grúa”, “Fenris gangr”, “Angrboða”. In an effort of consistency with the addressed themes, the lyrics are as usual in Old Norse. Fenris kindir is a concept album like most of Arckanum albums and also contains a cover of Necromantia, “Lycanthropia”, which is unusual.
I believe that a weak point is the too many interruptions with “psychedelic” parts that make one’s listening heavier and the album not so straight to the point; the violins of “Hamrami” are beautiful and full of pathos, though.
Shamaatae, who is also very engaged in his work as a writer (his third book Þurakingi will be released on December 21, 2014), this time has given us a good album, but not his best one.
Notes:
Fenris Kindir was released on May 10, 2013 on Season of Mist.
| Tracklist: 1. Fenris kindir grúa 2. Tungls tjúgari 3. Dólgrinn 4. Hatarnir 5. Hamrami 6. Fenris gangr 7. Vargøld 8. Angrboða 9. Úskepna 10. Spell 11. Sólbøls sigr 12. Lycanthropia (Necromantia cover) | 02:12 04:33 03:44 04:19 02:35 03:16 04:19 04:39 04:03 03:47 03:20 01:45 42:32 |
Personnel:
Shamaatae: all instruments, vocals.
Shamaatae: all instruments, vocals.
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com