To a lot of people, the word ‘Odal’ is probably best associated with the Elder Futhark rune system and as such has a strong link with history and ancestry. As with all the things, the exact meaning is open to personal interpretation but most will agree that it represents inheritance, not just of material things but of family, culture and heritage.
However, to the underground metal community, ‘Odal’ probably brings to mind the German Pagan Black Metal stalwarts of the same name. Having formed in 1999, ‘Welten Metter’ is Odal’s fifth full length alongside numerous EPs and split releases and sees their sound continue to evolve. Opening track ‘…um Ewiges zu schaffen’ sees a galloping rhythm underpinning the melody and abrasive vocals. ‘Hellwach Schwelgend’ is a little more aggressive but opulent melodies remain prominent within the swirling black metal maelstrom.
Folkesque melodies infuse ‘Schattental’, but don’t get me wrong, this is not an accompaniment for dancing merry jigs, this is still aggressive black metal. The next couple of tracks return to the slightly more direct approach but for me a defining feature is still the epic melodies which are so eloquently interwoven.
The penultimate track ‘Welten Geflecht’ is perhaps the strongest on the album for me with sombre melancholy at its core while retaining its vitriol. Things are brought to a close with ‘Erden Zeit’ and its infectious pulsating rhythm.
Odal’s sound is still clearly abrasive black metal but this is their most “pagan” sounding release, infused with rich melodies nicely contrasting and balancing the more vehement side.
(7.5/10 Andy Pountney)
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