Askrinn – Hjørleifsljóð

 Before I get anywhere let me just say . . . that viking metal makes for some awesome music. And on that note let me also say that Askrinn (“the ash tree” in Old Norse) is not viking metal, but viking-themed black metal. This is much like how Amon Amarth isn’t viking metal but instead viking-themed death metal (whether you fan boys believe it or not). Anyway, Askrinn’s a one-man band, and those can really go two ways. Good or really really bad. So far in my experience with them they haven’t disappointed me and Askrinn hasn’t done me wrong this time. The band’s debut album “Hjørleifsljóð” (I’ve no idea what that’s supposed to mean, much less how to pronounce it) comes out in mid-November and is probably going to be the best black metal album of that month from what I’ve seen so far if you ask me. “Hjørleifsljóð” has everything a really good black metal album needs : raspy vocals, guitars that sound great but have a haunting feel to them, and drums that have an absolutely unrelenting beat that keeps up the pace of the album whenever they’re going. Askrinn also has its lyrics sung in 100% Norse as to tell the story of “an authentic Icelandic text from the 13th century”, so that’s pretty cool and different. “Hjørleifsljóð” releases in November and I’m sure that it’ll be one to keep an eye and ear out for if you’re big into black meta, and if you want to have a taste of “Hjørleifsljóð” then I will provide a single from Askrinn that was released back in very late 2012.

 

LISTEN to “Fé Vældr Frænda Róge” for free off of Askrinn’s official website here.

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