Quite a busy chap is Andreas “Vintersorg” Hedlund. It was only last year we had his ‘Pulse Of The Earth’ or ‘Jordpuls’ album and of course his unmistakable harmonious croons have only just been digested on latest Borknagar album Urd. I have always looked upon him as a bit of a modern day minstrel not so much as singing for his supper but certainly wandering from place to place and overflowing with ideas. His musical concepts are not always that clear especially if you do not speak his lingo but again I am struck by the notion of him being a bit of a metaphysical hippy, getting back to nature and exploring the elements. In recent years his Solens Rötter album obviously alluded to the sun so was the fire, ‘Jordpuls’ again also is elemental, the title giving away that it is on the earthy side. So what of Orkan? Well there is a bloody great big clue there too if you look at the cover and have been following things so far. If you don’t twig you may as well go and drown yourself. Could this be the water album? I think so.
Play is pressed and vocals and instrumentation immediately come in with choppy refrain. The sea is battering us a bit from the off with ‘Istid’ the first of the eight numbers featured here. It’s a cold place and the song title translates to Ice Age but the chill quickly lightens with some harmonious croons and jaunty melodies. How the singer gets away with basically getting a chorus that goes “woo ooh hoo” into a song is beyond me but he does and it’s difficult not to join in. Some frosty keyboards tinkle away and a warble of mellotron perhaps before we drop back into the jig and give up on the idea of getting the melody out our head for the next week or so. There is a real trollish stomp about ‘Ur Stjärnstoft Är Vi Komna’ and between it and the harmonious vocal refrain there is a strong contrast. We also get some unexpected blast beats and growling vocals taking us away from the folk etchings and into the black. This is not a lone occurrence either as ‘Polarnatten’ (Polar Night) literally freezes the cockles, bustling in with bruising drums, clattering cymbals and an angry growl. A symphonic jig that is somewhat classically recognisable evolves as does a little flute toot keeping things ever changing and the listener well and truly on their toes. It’s a bit like being all at sea never knowing which way the next wave is going to have you staggering in.
The title track is one of the most harmonious ones with the high notes hitting like the crest of a wave. It flows with precision, speeding up at times but generally coasting along at a mid pace that is first and foremost sublimely melodic. ‘Norrskenssyner’ sees the Northern Light Visions with some classically sounding Vintersorg guitar work which is instantly recognisable to any fan of the band. This is a slower and perhaps more reflective and ponderous number but it is one that quickly enchants and draws you into its world. It’s an upbeat finale though with the almost jubilant ‘Urvädersfången’ mixing soaring croons, chugging melody and spiky guitar work all the way to the finish line.
At first I got a severe case of déjà vu listening to this and sure after eight albums by Vintersorg alone it is not surprising that this has a very familiar feel at times. However given time the melodies unravel and all the nuances and subtle instruments lurking away beneath the main songs come through allowing you to get beneath the surface and realise just how much thought and effort have gone into this. Rumours are seeping out that Vintersorg is going to resurrect Otyg in the near future which could be interesting. Not sure if that is likely to come before the next solo album though which surely has to follow what has come before and complete the cycle with the air.
(7/10 Pete Woods)
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