MANEGARM “Månegarm” review (by Natalia)

MANEGARM “Månegarm”
Napalm Records

It says, every band must have a so-called album. Well, incredible Sweden folk-black-metal band Månagarm with their twenty years of music experience can totally afford it.

Blood red sky, a moon with wolf image and mystical battle scenes, that’s how an album looks outwardly. The inside is inspiring and so exciting that will take a longer talk.

An album starts with the “Blodörm”. Official lyric video for it was uploaded not a long time ago. Intro is a recognizable Nordic tune, full of valor and strength of north warriors, cold of a dark forest and red flames. In a little more than a minute heavy riffs breaking into music and there is another picture stands before the eyes: medieval Viking’s era in the history of Sweden. The story told with male extreme vocals – this voice carries real native masculinity. Despite the song’s length (more than eight minutes), it heard as a whole and time passes unnoticed.

Next song is flaming “Tagen av Daga”. Vigorous drums acutely pulls from the ambience created by previous song to a new one. Not less epic but venturous. Fast music tempo with folk pieces and violin solo, which returns us to an intro theme, all of this sounds very interesting.

“Odin Owns ye All” is not less epic and vigorous. Guitar solos, blast-bits, vocals and lyrics – all of this obsesses. Despite that this track includes less folk components, like previous songs, it’s close and understandable even for those, who know nothing about Northern culture.

Acoustic and lyric “Blot” is quite different. Only tender clean female vocals. This song is full of color and sincerity. Violin solo in “Vigverk” continues the theme from the previous song, where female and male vocals creating a dialog and telling a magic story.

Sounds of drums starting “Call of the Runes”. Magic solo is like a ray of light between clouds of heavy guitar sounds and extreme vocals are parted. Slower, with surround sound, “Kraft” intercepts breath for five minutes. It breath with power, and vocals are creating feeling of legendary. Acoustic and playful “Bärsärkarna från Svitjod” catches with a melody and captures with singers performance. Mungigor add color to the music.
“Nattramn” drops down with its power and energy. Vocalize and extreme vocals convey the image of the North with brave warriors, unique nature and spirit.
Acoustic “Allfader” is ending the album with crystal female vocals.

Well, the album can described by merge of aggressive and powerful drums, melodic lines of guitars and violins; transitions from bellicosity to intimacy, full of colors, multilevel and charm. Every song is a little chapter of unified and epic saga from Månegarm.
The album proves that this band are between the genre. It deserves attention of everyone.

(c) Natalia (Ukrainian version on dailymetal.com.ua)