Metal Empire
Link: Metal Empire
Rating 9/10
An interesting fact about Arvinger; During the summer of 2002, Hauk [Guitar, bass, drums and keys] decided to share the songs they had recorded. He made a simple site for Arvinger and uploaded 5 songs to a mp3 site. A few days later they started to recieve a lot of wicked feedback. A lot of people downloaded their songs and they quickly became the most downloaded metal band on the site. They decided to try and write a couple more songs to appease the public, so Hauk then wrote 3 new songs, and this time playing the keyboard himself. Djerv also participated in some of the songwriting this time. A lot of people had requested a CD or demo from the band, so they decided to release all their material on an album called, "Helgards Fall". What A great story.
Recording in their own studio really gives this album its own style compared to other recordings I have heard this year. The band has made this album sound the way they want it to sound, and I think that is the utter most awesome thing artists can do. Production on this album is great, it’s down to the roots with hints of traditional sound. One thing I found, was they were able to achieve is the mid rings, which is hard to explain but it cool when you hear them, it’s like bass, but it’s in the mid range. I also really like the vocal workings on this album, not just the lead vocals but the backup vocals as well, very well structured and sung with quality.
You know A man can only praise so long until it comes time to criticize a little bit, but I don’t know where to start, so I’ll just try not to praise as much. “Ut Fra Havn” is a track which reminds me of Nordic times and uses those mid rings I was talking about earlier. “Kalt Ved Navn” starts off with a blast, then into a melodic verse with a female singer, great guitar work and keyboards on this track. “Fanget Av Vinden” is an awesome track that reminds me of medieval music metalized.
This is so far the best Black Metal release I have heard this year. I like that they sound like both new and old, which is bold and gutsy in a now “new or nothing” mentality which is sweeping the metal scene these days. This is new and its better then a lot of the black metal I have reviewed in the last six months. Reminicant of Judas Iscariot, Marduk and Dimmu Borgir, this album is high quality shit in an underground package. I wouldn’t want to hear Arvinger any other way, a big studio with a hot shot producer would not work with the “from the gutters of the gutters of hell” sound they have. I suggest every fan of black metal add this to their collection, it’s a must.
For mp3 clips, I suggest checking out Arvingers site. They have a clip for all their songs plus two full tracks off the CD itself.
zephyon