Helheim (Norway): “Rignir”

What should you do when Helheim releases a new album? The only sensible thing is to listen, but also praise and thank this prolific band that still give us wonderful music. The new album Rignir, the album number 10 by the band, is a wide-ranging album that continues with unique depth the musical undertaken with albums like raunijaR and landwarijaR. Viking black metal is still an essential and recognizable part of the Helheim sound, but V'gandr and his companions have enriched and developed their soundscape with more clean vocals and with an even more dominant role of the lead guitar, which gives the album melody and nuances. There are many choral parts and many other elements typical of the Helheim style, but Helheim are very good at reshuffling the cards. Above all, Rignir is an album to enjoy with all the senses, not only with the ears; once you press the play button, you just need to close your eyes and mind-travel.
 
Notes:
Rignir was released on April 26 2019 through Dark Essence Records. Rignir is the Icelandic for ‘rains’.
 
Personnel:
Hrymr: Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Piano, Programming, Guitars (acoustic), Mouth harp, Vocals
V'gandr: Vocals, Bass 
H'grimnir: Vocals, Guitars (rhythm)
Reichborn: Guitars (lead)
Session musicians:
Ole André Farstad of Abbath: lap steel guitar on track 5
 
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com