Himinbjorg

"Golden Age"

What fun to critique a band whose music you haven’t heard before or the band itself for that matter. You can find a nightmare or a nice surprise depending on how you look at it and your personal taste.

I’ve found Himinbjorg and their 4^th album Golden Age. Before I heard the music I had an idea that it would be viking style, at least if you’re looking at the name. However that was not the case and I’m not disappointed.

According to the pressrelease which followed the album Himinbjorg are playing Pagan Metal. I know what Pagan is, but I’m having a real hard time relating to it music wise. The music though, it quite differnet from what I’ve heard before. The vocal is pure black metal and then there’s the music which despite the high tempo and wild attitude is quite melodic without one being able to call it melodic metal. And neither is the record company doing so. I’m almost tempted to call it a new style even though it’s got elements from other genres. Industrial and goth is a couple of them,  which may be why it’s called pagan. Not a genre I know a whole lot about.

There’s nothing to blame in the music. The sound is sharp and heavy and the songs are well produced. Everyone’s got their space in the music without taking the limelight from anyone else. The technical side is okay too.

The atmosphere is funny because of the mix of several different genres, when the black oriented vocal gets to the chorous you hear a goth choir. It felt strange when I listened to it the first couple of times, but nothing worse that it doesn’t grow on you. This album will get more listening time here, but I’m not sure it’ll be for life because I haven’t quite caught it yet

It is like a melancolic mood is sneaking by every now and then. The mood of the music changes in an expressive way. It’s not diffecult to sense when the melancoly takes center stage or the deep anger. It’s all just below the surface waiting to explode, only to dive into the darkness yet again.

Even though the music without a doubt is deeper than you initially think, it’s a great listen and worth paying attention to. It’s changing and at time quite complex and gives you a new experience at every listen.

Listen to the record every time you feel like going into the unknown. A place where no one has been before and you’d be the only soul for miles. Out there where no one hears you screaming and you have to carry your tears alone.