Sorgir
| Sorgir | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 12 October 2018 | |||
| Studio | Hljóðverk, Reykjavík | |||
| Genre | Viking metal, folk metal | |||
| Length | 47:40 | |||
| Language | Icelandic | |||
| Label | Napalm Records | |||
| Producer | Einar Vilberg | |||
| Skálmöld chronology | ||||
| ||||
Sorgir ("Sorrows" or "Griefs" in Icelandic) is the fifth full-length album by the Icelandic viking/folk metal band Skálmöld, released on 12 October 2018 via Napalm Records.
Concept and recording
[edit]The album is divided into two parts. The first four tracks are labeled Sagnir (Tales) and each tell a tragic story. Track number five to eight are labeled Svipir (Ghosts) and tell the same stories, but from the perspective of the ghosts who caused the disastrous events.[1] The names of the Svipir tracks are taken from the names of mythological beings.[2]
Sorgir was made two years after Skálmöld's previous album Vögguvísur Yggdrasils. The band described the creation process as quick and raw. The album was produced by Einar Vilberg and recorded at the studio Hljóðverk in Reykjavík.[3]
Reception
[edit]Arnar Eggert Thoroddsen of RÚV wrote that the album stays within its genre conventions but is the band's most varied to date. He highlighted the song "Skotta", which reminded him of "Metallica's best song, 'Disposable Heroes'".[4] Metal.de complimented the fast solos and rhythm structures, and wrote that the best part was the "melodic offensive" of the last two tracks, "Móri" and "Mara".[5] Metal Hammer's Dom Lawson wrote: "Whether in full-on longboat assault mode on the marauding, mid-paced Lsjósið or exploring more expansive dynamics on closing tour-de-force Mara, the power of the message and the sincerity of the messengers carries every stirring ensemble splurge forward to Valhalla with maximum uplift."[6]
Track listing
[edit]All lyrics are written by Snæbjörn Ragnarsson; all music is composed by Skálmöld
| No. | Title | Translation | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ljósið" | The Light | 05:13 |
| 2. | "Sverðið" | The Sword | 06:34 |
| 3. | "Brúnin" | The Edge | 04:43 |
| 4. | "Barnið" | The Child | 04:45 |
| No. | Title | Translation | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "Skotta" | Female draugr | 06:54 |
| 6. | "Gangári" | Wandering draugr | 04:32 |
| 7. | "Móri" | Male draugr | 06:39 |
| 8. | "Mara" | Mare | 08:20 |
| Total length: | 47:40 | ||
| No. | Title | Translation | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9. | "Höndin sem veggina klórar" | The Hand That Scratches the Walls | 06:39 |
| Total length: | 54:19 | ||
Personnel
[edit]Skálmöld
- Snæbjörn Ragnarsson – bass, vocals
- Jón Geir Jóhannsson – drums, vocals
- Baldur Ragnarsson – guitar, vocals
- Þráinn Árni Baldvinsson – guitar, vocals
- Gunnar Ben – keyboards, oboe
- Björgvin Sigurðsson – vocals, guitar
Guests
- Óttarr Proppé – vocals on track 5
- Ragnheiður Steindórsdóttir – vocals on track 7
References
[edit]- ^ Þorsteinn Hreggviðsson (9 October 2018). "Skálmöld - Sorgir". RÚV (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
- ^ Angela (5 October 2018). "Skálmöld: Baldur im Interview: 'Danke, dass ihr uns das ermöglicht.'". Metal.de (in German). Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
- ^ Benedikt Bóas (11 October 2018). "Almenn gleði skilar sér á plötuna". Vísir.is (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
- ^ Arnar Eggert Thoroddsen (13 October 2018). "Gítardrifin gandreið". RÚV (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
besta lag Metallicu, „Disposable Heroes"
- ^ Angela (5 October 2018). "Skálmöld - Sorgir". Metal.de (in German). Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
- ^ Lawson, Dom (11 October 2018). "Skálmöld – Sorgir album review". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
