Grimner - Frost Mot Eld Review

Track Listing

1. Res Er Mina Söner
2. Eldhjärta
3. Normännens Raseri
4. Enhärjarkväde
5. Midgård Brinner
6. Vargarnas Tid
7. Mörkets Hem
8. Etter och Flammor
9. Muspelheims Härskare
10. Frost Mot Eld

Sweden has over the years proven to be a hotbed for metal of all types. Some of the best folk metal comes from Sweden and emerging artist, Grimner, is no exception. Formed in 2008, with their first full length release ‘Blodshymner’ coming in 2014, Grimner are relative unknowns ready to burst onto the scene. Grimner offer everything one could want in a folk metal band, conveying a sense of paganism evident in both the music and the band’s imagery. With a sound similar to bands such as Finntroll and Månegarm, yet uniquely their own, Grimner have released one hell of an album. 

‘Frost Mot Eld’ is inspired by Ragnarök which, put in simplistic terms, is the end of world of the old Norse gods. With lyrics sung entirely in Swedish, and the perfect melding of clean and harsh vocals, Grimner have created a refreshing folk metal album. “Res Er Mina Söner” opens with a sense of calm before the storm, quickly bursting into a more up-tempo track backed by a memorable flute melody. In fact, flutes are evident throughout much of the album, adding a unique touch to many of the songs. The pieces of ‘Frost Mot Eld’ flow together seamlessly, at times light and uplifting and at other times brutal and harsh.  The Swedish bagpipes in “Vargarnas Tid” provide a background of melancholic darkness to the track evoking emotions of hope fading away. The pace changes multiple times throughout the album, much like the emotions brought forth by the lyrical content and careful use of various instruments and vocal techniques. 

The story woven throughout ‘Frost Mot Eld’ is one of battle, one of hope and lost hope, one of acceptance of fate, and one of finality. It is a journey that feels as though it were woven by the Norns, telling a narrative of the end of days set to some truly evocative, brooding, and at times, jovial, melodies. 

Best tracks: Vargarnas Tid, Eldjärta, Frost Mot Eld

Twelve Thrash Albums That Have Stuck With Me

This list was spawned by a post circulating Facebook regarding the ten albums (of any genre) that have stuck with you, for whatever reason. A friend suggested creating one consisting of just thrash albums, and this is mine in no particular order:

1. Metallica - Kill 'Em All
2. Annihilator - Alice In Hell
3. Destruction - Day Of Reckoning
4. Kreator - Pleasure To Kill
5. Slayer - Reign In Blood
6. Sodom - M16
7. Tankard - A Girl Called Cerveza
8. Overkill - The Electric Age
9. Death Angel - The Dream Calls For Blood
10. Possessed - Seven Churches (more of a mix of death and thrash)
11. Aggression - The Full Treatment
12. Nervosa - Agony

The 69 Eyes - Universal Monsters Review

Track Listing:

Dolce Vita

Jet Fighter Plane

Blackbird Pie

Lady Darkness

Miss Pastis

Shallow Graves

Jerusalem

Stiv & Johnny

Never

Blue 

Rock n’ Roll Junkie

The 69 Eyes are perhaps one of favourites of the gothic rock genre. While they haven’t been an underground or lesser-known gem for some time now, ‘Universal Monsters’ is a throwback to those days. Touted as a return to the near-perfection found on the ‘Paris Kills’ album, this particular album does a pretty good job of capturing some of that magic. It is also reminiscent of the ‘Devils’ album in a few places. 

Full of the melodic qualities that one has come to love about the 69 Eyes, ‘Universal Monsters’ surpasses the last few 69 Eyes releases in terms of feeling unforced and natural. This album doesn’t have that strain to reach new audiences by changing characteristic sounds, which is likely something that the older fans can truly appreciate. It really feels like a return to the days when the 69 Eyes were known and loved in Europe, but not-so-much in North America. Personally, this is the era of the band that I fell in love with and have a hard time not comparing every subsequent release to. 

“Dolce Vita” and “Jet Fighter Plane” provide a strong opening for the album. The former is guitar driven, while the latter is slightly more melodic. Both tracks hold that very characteristic 69 Eyes sound. “Lady Darkness” is that one darkly romantic track on the album that really stands out as such. Jyrki’s vocals hit higher notes in this song which is something not often heard from the enigmatic frontman.  Not to downplay any of the talents of Jussi, Bazie, Archzie or Timo, but it is Jyrki’s vocals that do provide so much of that distinctive sound that this band has pumped out for over two decades. Tracks like ‘Miss Pastis’ and ‘Rock n’Roll Junkie’ add elements of some of the 69 Eyes earliest material, when they were much more of a sleazy rock band than a gothic rock band that the Helsinki Vampires are perhaps best known as. The opening to ‘Jerusalem’ introduces a very compelling keyboard section that continues throughout the song. It’s a little reminiscent of ‘August Moon’ from the “Devils” album in sound.  Overall, this album is a solid release, combining the best elements of every era of the band to date. 

Best tracks: Dolce Vita, Lady Darkness, Shallow Graves

Nervosa - Agony Review

Track Listing:

1. Arrogance
2. Theory of Conspiracy
3. Deception
4. Intolerance Means War
5. Guerra Santa
6. Failed System
7. Hostages
8. Surrounded By Serpents
9. Cyberwar
10. Hypocrisy
11. Devastation
12. Wayfarer

‘Agony’ is the second full-length from Brazilian thrashers, Nervosa, and what a bombastic piece of awesomeness it is. If you dismissed the hype surrounding this band as being partially because it is comprised of women, this album will blow that theory out of the water. Nervosa has been described as thrash with hints of death metal, which is an accurate description as they have managed to take the best elements from both and put them into one hell of package in their latest album. 

From start to finish, ‘Agony’ is solid. It would be difficult to point out any obvious flaw within this album. That old-school thrash feel is definitely there. So is a dynamic sense of aggression. Vocalist and bassist Fernanda Lira often speaks in interviews about the political situation has influenced the band. Nervosa has found a way to turn sentiment and dissatisfaction into an album that becomes relatable and pushes the band into the territory of being one of the best modern thrash bands out there. Having been compared to German-thrash legends Destruction, ‘Agony’ proves why this is an apt comparison. From the opening riffs of “Arrogance” to the slightly haunting vocal performance on “Wayfarer”, this is hands-down one of the best albums of the year.