Although Danish Viking/Folk Metal band Vansind have been active since 2019, this is actually their debut full-length offering. Whilst the core of the band’s founding line-up remains (current Panzerchrist/Detest drummer Danni Jelsgaard, Mindmare vocalist Joachim Asmussen, bagpipe/whistle player Rikke Klint Johansen and vocalist Line Burglin), the band’s ranks have been suitably enriched by new bassist Mikael Christensen and Iron Fire guitarist Kirk Backarach. Initially, the Viking/Folk leanings of Vansind may seem at odds with some of the members other bands, but add in that Backarach is also with Vanir and Jelsgaard was once in the ranks of Svartsot and Sylvatica, it all starts to make more sense.
Also given the people involved, “Mørket” on the whole steers surprisingly clear of Power Metal, Speed Metal and Melodic Death Metal – although Asmussen’s vocals are growled throughout, this is balanced by the melodic folk-lilting vocal delivery of Line Burglin, giving the male/female vocal approach something akin to Crimfall for instance. Musically bands as varied as Furor Gallico, Grimner, Trold, Fejd, Triddana and Battlelore might spring to mind on occasions, but actually Vansind really do have a style of their own.
Each song appears to have its roots firmly in Folk melodies, but approached very much from a Heavy Metal point of view. The clean vocals are very much from a Folk style basis, used at times in a traditional way to introduce extra melody lines rather than specifically on the verse or chorus. The guitars share the refrains of the songs with bagpipes, tin-whistle or understated keyboards, Johansen doing a fabulous job on these latter three. Speed is used fleetingly for effect on most tracks, with the band sticking to a bouncing, heavy, pounding rhythm that must go down really well at all the festivals the band have so far graced with their presence.
Aided by an excellent, clear production, the arrangements have an epic quality, each one a historical battlecry to ancient wars won and lost. The unique way Vansind blend Metal with Folk gives the songs a timeless quality, crammed with heartfelt emotion and delivered by a powerful, accomplished unit who sound like they’ve been working together for years. The Metal is just Heavy enough and the Folk melodies lead the songs rather than overpowering them. The album flows beautifully, has excellent continuity and keeps your interest throughout. Above all else it’s thoroughly enjoyable and utterly engaging, which is always a major plus point for me.
(8.5/10 Andy Barker)
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