Helheim are among the bands that I love and esteem the most. I myself reviewed raunijaR released in 2015, and now, only two years later, the guys from Bergen have released another masterpiece, LandawarijaR. I do not think there are enough words to describe not only this great masterpiece, but also the capability of this magnificent band of churning out masterpieces after more than twenty years of career while other bands are on the decline.
raunijaR is an album in which the folk element is predominant, and also full of “unconventional” instruments. LandawarijaR is more melodic; I would say that it is a return to the past, in particular I think about albums like Kaoskult and Heiðindómr ok mótgangr. There are a few interesting experiments with the vocals, especially the title track and “Ouroboros”; the album features also guest vocals by several vocalists including Pehr Skjoldhammar of Swedish Alfahanne, who had delivered guest vocals also on raunijaR. This is a sign that there is a solid brotherhood between these bands, as both V'gandr of Helheim and Hoest himself delivered guest vocals on Alfahanne debut album from 2014 Alfapokalips.
To conclude this review, LandawarijaR is a profound, epic album, with an intense dramatic tension. Enjoy it with the Bandcamp player below and support this great band.
Notes:
LandawarijaR was released on January 20 2017 on Dark Essence Records.
Personnel:
V'gandr: Bass, Vocals
Hrymr: Drums, Drum programming
H'grimnir: Vocals, Guitars (rhythm)
Reichborn: Guitars (lead)
Guest musicians:
William Hut: Vocals
Morten Egeland: Vocals
Pehr Skjoldhammer: Vocals (track 6)
Bjørnar E. Nilsen: Vocals
Ottorpedo: Vocals
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
raunijaR is an album in which the folk element is predominant, and also full of “unconventional” instruments. LandawarijaR is more melodic; I would say that it is a return to the past, in particular I think about albums like Kaoskult and Heiðindómr ok mótgangr. There are a few interesting experiments with the vocals, especially the title track and “Ouroboros”; the album features also guest vocals by several vocalists including Pehr Skjoldhammar of Swedish Alfahanne, who had delivered guest vocals also on raunijaR. This is a sign that there is a solid brotherhood between these bands, as both V'gandr of Helheim and Hoest himself delivered guest vocals on Alfahanne debut album from 2014 Alfapokalips.
To conclude this review, LandawarijaR is a profound, epic album, with an intense dramatic tension. Enjoy it with the Bandcamp player below and support this great band.
Notes:
LandawarijaR was released on January 20 2017 on Dark Essence Records.
Personnel:
V'gandr: Bass, Vocals
Hrymr: Drums, Drum programming
H'grimnir: Vocals, Guitars (rhythm)
Reichborn: Guitars (lead)
Guest musicians:
William Hut: Vocals
Morten Egeland: Vocals
Pehr Skjoldhammer: Vocals (track 6)
Bjørnar E. Nilsen: Vocals
Ottorpedo: Vocals
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
