viking metal

Nine Circles ov… Enslaved Deep Cuts

ColinLeave a comment

If there’s one thing to know about my musical taste, it’s that Enslaved is my all-time favorite band. If Enslaved has one fan then I’m that one, if Enslaved has no fans I am dead, you get the idea. From the early days of lightning fast riffs and blast beats galore to the masterful blending of black and prog metal that has defined (but not constrained) them for over 20 years, and the multilayered ways in which Norse mythology and mysticism present themselves in their lyrics and album concepts, Enslaved encapsulate everything I love about heavy music. Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson prove time and again that the band they founded as teens in 1991 will never compromise or tread the same paths twice, yet always remain consistent. With the release of their sixteenth full-length album Heimdal almost upon us, there’s no better time to revisit nine realms of the Enslaved saga.

Continue reading →

Receiving the Evcharist: Týr and Golden Monkey

IanLeave a comment
Receiving the Evcharist 2018

Guess who’s back (back, back), back again (gain, gain).  I won the inter-office rock-paper-scissors competition for who gets to drink on the job this week, so naturally I’m going to overindulge in both righteous tunes and choice beverages.  Receiving the Evcharist is our weekly feature where we pair choice albums with our favorite libations.  Drink from the cup of heresy.  This week’s offering: Týr’s A Night at the Nordic House and Victory Brewing Company’s Golden Monkey.

Continue reading →

Album Review: Ereb Altor — “Eldens Boning” (EP)

DidrikLeave a comment

The oft-disputed subgenre of Viking metal is something I’ve always found hard to define in metal. Is it really a subgenre or just slightly blackened folk metal? Whereas Enslaved, Falkenbach and maybe Månegarm are sometimes referred to as being viking metal, I think Ereb Altor actually really encapsulates—I don’t want to say the sound—but the essence and idea of viking metal really well. The Swedish band is, much like the famous Christmas goat, based in Gävle, a town that’s definitely not pronounced how you think it is. The band’s new EP Eldens Boning features only four songs so that means we get to focus on each and every one of them.

Continue reading →

Profile: Viking Death Metallers Last Legion

ninecirclesadminLeave a comment

LAST LEGION
Last Legion

NY’s Viking death metallers Last Legion released their sophomore album Muspelheim back in January and if you missed out here’s your “should’ve had a V8” moment. It’s Scandinavian death metal fused with furious riffs and tons of Norse folklore that is even bigger and heavier than the album artwork eludes to. Plus, there’s ties to acting amongst the band but more on that later. Bottom line; this album rips from start to finish and it should be in your ears immediately, if it isn’t already. Behind the album’s release we had the opportunity to speak with bassist Rich Mollo and guitarist Dubek Kim to ask them our set of Profile questions and they were extremely generous with their answers. Head inside to see what they had to say and by all means support the band via the links contained within. Continue reading →

The Nine Circle ov… Amon Amarth

CoreyLeave a comment

amonamarth2016

Almost two years ago, I stood before you… er… I sat behind a computer screen and told the tale of my ten favorite tracks by viking metal legends Amon Amarth. We were known as Horns Up back in those days. My, oh things have changed. While it has been a little more than two months since Jomsviking dropped (March 25th, to be precise), I find myself very much appreciating the path Amon Amarth has gone in with their first concept album. Keeping that in consideration, it’s just about time to make some minor adjustments to my previously composed list. There are some duplicates, to be sure, but there are some new faces. And also one less face. Because 9 vs.10. Anyway… let’s get our drinking horns out and begin! Continue reading →