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MÅNEGARM
www.myspace.com/manegarm
Blackened folk-infused Pagan metal is the order of the day with Månegarm's latest studio offering, 'Nattväsen', or 'Night Creatures' in its English translation. Perhaps their most polished work to date, at least in terms of production (which is rather fantastic), they've also opted for a noticeably disparate aesthetic in the cover artwork - a somewhat darker, more minimalist piece which combines the runes of Gifu and Madr into a unique symbol that they say stands for "balance and strength as an individual and as a unit". Well, the Swedes have certainly achieved both balance and strength as a unit in all respects with 'Nattväsen' in their songwriting, execution and, as already noted, the overall production. Resonantly heavy guitars, pounding bass, solid drumming, incisively growled and clean singing, occasional vocal harmonies, and skilful violin all combine to forge a hard-hitting, darkly melodic series of tunes that will, at times, inspire you to jig as much as bang your head. Along with the likes of Moonsorrow, Skyforger and Thyrfing, Månegarm continue to prove with this latest effort that the fusion of folk and metal has no need to resort to the Humppa 'party' metal leanings that the likes of Korpiklaani and, to a far lesser degree these days, Finntroll rely upon. Rather, they incorporate folk influences as just one element in their music instead of the main driving force behind the songwriting, with the results being a much more balanced folk/metal fusion and one with a great deal of musical integrity. Awesome stuff. The epitome of what a good folk metal album should be...well, at least in my interpretation. Go check it out and decide for yourselves.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Regain Records
Album
NATTVÄSEN
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Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
45:09
RELEASE DATE:
16th Nov 2009
TRACK LISTING
1) Mina Fäders Hall
2) Nattsjäl, Dromsjäl
3) Bergagasten
4) I den Svartaste Jord
5) Hraesvelg
6) Vetramegin
7) Draugen
8) Nattväsen
9) Delling
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Sweden
"...The epitome of what a good folk metal album should be..."