Kampfar music reviews

"Fra Underverdenen", which means "From a world below", is the new album from this two-member viking metal norwegian act. This album came to establish Kampfar as one of the best bands in this style nowadays. The sound presented here is as much the same on their previous albuns: typical norwegian black metal with additional folk influences and with an incredible great production. The cover art, pretty as always, combines exactly with the sound. The album starts with a beauty acoustic guitar intro that leads to the first song "I ondskapens kunst", one of the album hightlights, with great piano parts. This album brings "Norse", the first song from Kampfar with lyrics in English; all other lyrics are in norwegian and are very beautiful, sadly some people can't understand this idiom. The one and only negative point here is the short lenght of the album (about 37 minutes), but this fact doesn't compromise at all.

I am a fanatic of black and viking metal, and this cd is just about one of the best in both genres. Kampfar is one of the lesser known viking bands who deserve the attention currently given to Enslaved and Borknagar. Kampfar is better than both of these bands. They used to be called Mock, if that is familiar to any... Anyway, "Mellom Skogkledde Aaser" is the follow up to Kampfar's self-titled debut MCD, which you should also check out. One of the songs on the debut, "Hymne" is also featured on this album. The music- Pretty original viking metal laced with atmospheric keyboards. The guitars have an original sound that goes well with the viking feeling. The songs are nice and flowing so you feel like you are on a viking longboat sailing between the icebergs on the album cover. The keyboards use viking instruments such as flutes and that low viking horn to provide a fitting backdrop. If you are up for music played by a talented band with a nice, relaxing sound that still stirs the pagan heart, get this cd. If you aren't yet into the viking/black metal scene, this would be a good album to start with.

This MCD was released as a teaser for the full-length "Fra Underverdenen". It includes one track from that album ("Norse") and two tracks exclusive to this MCD. As there are only three songs here, let's take the review song-by-song.
NORSE- A bit more upbeat than most Kampfar tunes, due to the fact that it is in a major key. This is also the first Kampfar song with English lyrics. Great Viking feeling all around.
TROLL- This starts off with a beautiful acoustic guitar which sets the riff to be used in this song. Very melancholy and good for contemplation.
T�RING- This sounds like a Viking folk song with black metal vocals, nothing electric here, just grim vocals, acoustic guitars, and handclaps (!).

Even though this MCD is only 12 minutes long, it is still a worthy and ESSENTIAL addition to your collection. This MCD proves, like all other Kampfar releases, that they hold the throne of Viking Metal.

Just palin old wow! This is the highest mark of black metal music ever achieved. I am not even going to go into the songs, their structure, or whatever. Just get this amazing piece of aural art. PERFECT black metal.

1. Intro
2. Baldogg
3. Balgalerkvad
4. Kledd i Brynje Og
5. Hymne
6. Bukkeferd
7. Naglfar/Ragnarok