Enough of all that noisy stuff, time to step back and soothe the savage breast. What better way to do so than immerse yourself in some tranquil Nordic folk? Time to shut the world outside away and get back to nature and less complicated things. There may well be no shortage of artists treading this path at the moment and Dimbild meaning ‘dim image’ or ‘illusion’ may well be a new project but the person responsible for everything we hear on this debut album is actually a well-seasoned pro and is none other than Vintersorg. Andreas Hedlund should be known to most from his time spent in Borgnagar and for his self-titled work, which has seen him release eleven studio albums. With Dimbild though he has effectively gone the whole hog and completely dispersed with anything resembling any metal persuasions. This is a semi-acoustic journey down sylvan paths, taking in the landscapes of Sweden’s natural environment and regaling us with a storybook of music like a true bard of olde.
Still those versed in his craft will pick up many musical nuances here from his past works and it would not take long to for anyone who had listened to much of it to identify the artist. This makes it all the more comfortable listening experience over the album’s eight numbers. This ‘dark glow’ gently unspools with harp-like sound on opening number ‘Frostpiskan’ and provides more than a hint of medieval chamber music as a pipe trills in the distance and harmonic vocals reside melodically over the top of things. It’s somewhat simplistic, uncluttered and natural sounding but that does not mean that it is without a catchiness as songs embed themselves after just a couple of listens. Vintersorg’s clean tones are as ever beseeching, full of intrigue and warmth. The Swedish verse rolls off his tongue and even if we do not understand the language it’s difficult to not attempt joining in and singing along. Sound is crystalline, the strumming notes sparkle and the drum beats when utilised resound like gentle thunder in the far distance. Close your eyes and be transported to far reaching vistas projected over vast landscapes on songs like ‘Horisont’ as it takes us on a ramble rather than a perilous hike. There is a certain amount of dourness and reflection within the sound here at times but it is very much in-line with beauty and is full of the joys of exploration of untamed places as natural formations and majestic scenes unveil themselves. Perhaps one such scene is a babbling brook flowing from the source of ‘Milstenen’ as we reach that particular ‘Milestone.’ It makes you want to sit down and have a picnic, some cheese, rough bread and some ale would be the perfect repast and if anyone were around they would happily provide as Vintersorg sings his heart out for his supper.
‘Urtidslabyrinten’ means ‘The Primeval Labyrinth’ and could well be a title for a lost Borknagar number. Here I guess it refers to the complicated earth-forming progress as our world gradually took geological substance. Science, elements and the wonderment of such a process have never been far from the artist’s work (think of Cronian album ‘Terra’) and that’s what I get the impression of here but it is the dawn of an age rather than the destructive and ruinous era that mankind have now inflicted upon things. Darkness brings further delights, the tent is out, a fire is lit to keep away predators and one can relax and watch the show put on above. ‘Stjärngnistor’ is the perfect soundtrack for stargazing and taking it all in. This musical trip is far from arduous and that is despite last song ‘Vilt, Kalt Och Ödsligt’ suggesting things are ‘Wild, Cold And Desolate.’ It’s actually probably my favourite song here due to its gorgeous keyboard melody and it’s guaranteed to make you want to pack your tent and head off to the great outdoors. If you ever have the chance to explore Sweden this is the perfect soundtrack, if not it will make you feel like you are doing so anyway and if this was even part of the idea for the composition of the album Vintersorg has nailed it perfectly.
(8/10 Pete Woods)
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