Vanir - Onwards Into Battle (2012)

Vanir - Onwards Into Battle

I’m pretty sure that you can name several Viking Metal bands out of pretty much each of the Nordic Countries. I dare you. Nothing for Iceland? OK, admittedly, the Icelandic scene is a little enigmatic, but just check out SKÁLMÖLD and you have your entry. Denmark? Some of you might name Folk Death Metallers SVARTSOT, but after that I must say there is not much coming to mind, unless you’ve come across this friendly Viking horde from Roskilde before: VANIR.

Named after one of the two groups of gods in Viking mythology (Æsir being the other ones), this septet is offering us its second album now with “Onwards Into Battle” and while I have not heard their debut “Særimners Kød”, it is something I would really like to change after hearing this latest effort. What sets them apart from the rest of the pack, you ask? Well, we get the flute, the hurdy-gurdy and some bagpipes to spice things up and add to that some nice power and drive and we have an energetic romp through the Northern Sea ahead of us!

Now obviously Viking Metal with bagpipes and the dual approach of growls and clear voice is nothing new, but as so often I prefer something well done and not horribly original over a lame attempt to be unique any day and VANIR put so much power and energy into their songs that it is hard not to let them take you for a ride in their longship. While the title track opens things up with good drive, excellent melodies and the interplay between growls and clear in the chorus, VANIR’s second kicks it up a notch with following “Thyrfing”, slower, but with omnipresent bagpipes that lend the song this extra touch, without ever sounding gimmicky they actually complete the song for me.

And it is the clever use of these instruments and their hand for very good arrangements and melodies that gives “Onwards Into Battle” this extra kick to really reel me in. The Danes also avoid the pitfalls of finding one formula and then sticking to it, no, they know how to vary things, be it more folky, instrumental, energetic, stomping, hymnic, they have it covered and with energy and power spice things up on top of it. I was actually surprised about the relative lack of weaker songs, making it harder for me to point out specifics, but the almost instrumental “Æresdød” with its choir has a great atmosphere, whereas “Warriors Of Asgard” show us the high energy side of the band, and “Hlidskjalf Gynger” runs the whole gamut from growls to catchy chorus, stomping through the snow with great bagpipes, before “Sons Of The North” kicks one final ass with the flute taking on a strong role in a highly epic track that will want you come back for more!

“Onwards Into Battle” also sports a nice strong production that gives good volume to the songs and lets the instruments and different vocal styles roam freely for best effect, and it is surely not one of the most groundbreaking releases in Folk/Viking Metal, but the songs have this energy and power that will pull you in and the bagpipes add their own dimension (and knowing me, I love those quirky instruments). VANIR’s second has turned out to be one of the most enjoyable albums of this style in 2012 so far.

copas from http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=19322

Tracklist:
    Dark Clouds Gather
    Onwards Into Battle
    Thyrfing
    By The Hammer They Fall
    Tveskægs Hævn
    Brigands Of Jomsborg
    Æresdød
    Vinlandsfærd
    Warriors Of Asgard
    Hlidskjalf Gynger
    Raise Your Horns
    Fimbul
    Sons Of The North

TKP

password : bidadariku