After discovering them at Hellfest this summer, during this fantastic day for black metal at the Temple stage on Friday, it was with great pleasure I asked – and received- the new album of Ereb Altor: Hälsingemörker.
I hadn’t listened to many of their albums before, just a couple of songs here and there, and an impression I had got confirmed very quickly: Ereb Altor are great at making bombastic opening songs. Released as first single, “Valkyrian Fate” kicks off the album with all its might. It has both aggressiveness and their signature, inspiring impetus. Coupled with this first person narrative, it reminds me of “I Have the Sky” in a very positive way.
Following this epic start, the title-track unveils what will Hälsingemörker be like. Extremely rich riffs, strong structures and hovering darkness. An excellent combination in itself. On this song especially, it is to the extent that the instrumental, by its strength and melody, would tell its story more that the vocals themselves. The vocals tend to be fairly elongated all over the album, I’m not always fond of them but they always end up working out well.
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However, this is not what I will most. It will rather be this series of three incredible songs, the first being “Vir Är Mörkret”. This song marks the beginning of the descent to a more atmospheric and black section, going further darker. To my delight it also becomes harder and heavier musically, all by cleverly balancing the lightness of clean vocals. “Träldom” is the gloomiest one of the three, and also the one you will headbang the most to. The overall rythm is cool, then there is this surprising yet welcome break, featuring sustained, harder drums. “The Waves, the Sky and the Pyre”. Such a title already evokes something inspiring and grandiose, and it definitely is. when I was saying I was not so sure about those elongated vocals? Well this is the part when they are brilliant. This is an outstanding performance by Mats and I love the way the instrumental builds itself around it.
To finish Hälsingemörker Ereb Altor included this summer’s three digital releases, resulting in a generally more immersive and folkloric section. This includes “Midwinter” which is simply perfect with the choirs sounding like a call, but I’ve listened to it too many times (my bad). “Skogsrået” thus came as a very refreshing surprise. It’s some good dark folk made by an epic doom metal band, featuring Mikael Lindström playing nyckelharpa. The rich instrumental along with the duo of vocals creates an excellent atmosphere. There is this impending doom that eventually strikes many times in a powerful and spectacular fashion. “The Lake of Blood” is, in a way, a lighter one to brings things full circle as the track is a loop itself with these nice acoustic guitars. I listened to it again and again just to relive its reflective aura.
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Hälsingemörker is out on February 7th
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