Urferd are a new project from Sweden brought to life by Daniel Beckman (Twilight Force, Ages). For the multi-instrumentalist, debut album Resan marks the beginning of a new musical path, going beyond the genres he has been active in so far. Instead of power metal and black metal, Resan features a combination of dark folk, drone and ambient. This not-so-common combination of sound is employed to paint a picture of a frequent theme in heavy music – life in the North in the Middle Ages.
The albums eight multi-layered soundscapes are organized to represent a journey. If the internet translation machine is to be trusted, ‘resan’ in fact means journey. The first track Gryning (dawn) begins with ambient sounds and birdsong and slowly turns into an ever-expanding soundscape representing the rising sun. From the dreary here and now, the listener, when pressing play, is transported to an early morning in a pristine, dewy forest, basking in light.
The soundscape changes considerably with track number two, Avfärd (departure). Rather dark tunes, played out on a string instrument, immediately call the Middle Ages to mind. Percussion, used sparsely at first, develops into a slow, somewhat dragging rhythm, telling tales of hardships. Vocals are added in the form of a monotonous, gloomy chant. Towards the end, a shouted speech can be heard sounding oddly out of place in the medieval soundscape, yet creating an intriguing contrast.
At the latest with track number three, Strövtåg (roam), the cinematic quality of the music becomes apparent. The song’s steadily advancing soundscape dotted with chimes would make good background music for pictures of slowly forward-moving armies or sailing ships. An undercurrent of deep humming adds a foreboding element.
A short drum roll at the beginning of Hymn announces rising action and surely enough the music soon turns to the pompous and the grandiose, rising to crescendos. Envig, (single combat), then, brings the climax of the action. The music turns rhythmic and ritualistic, gaining in intensity and in speed. If this is to represent fighting, then the fighting is imagined like dancing, taking place in rehearsed moves. The conflicts resolve with Vaka, and this part of the imagined story of Resan is told with bells, violin, percussion, chimes, throat singing and murmurs.
Finally, Hemfärd (homecoming) reports of a glorious return after a long journey. Interestingly, the album does not end here. The final track is the following one, Dvala, and it differs significantly from the rest of the album in character and atmosphere. In the only song with lyrics throughout, yearning, female vocals comment on the events, adding an interpretation.
A familiar theme viewed through a new pair of VR glasses. Dark undertones and a gloomy atmosphere provide authenticity and prevent things from getting kitschy. A musical tale, composed to follow a classic story plot. Music of a cinematic character, where the movie will play out in your mind. For lovers of Nordic folk and dark folk, time and money well spent.
(7.5/10 Slavica)
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