| CD REVIEW Myrkvar |
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Band: Myrkvar The Dutch band Myrkvar was spawn after the split of Lord Astaroth in 2003. In 2004, a first 3-track demo tape, On Broken Wings, was recorded, with English lyrics, followed in 2006 by a promo-demo, with lyrics in Dutch. Earlier this year, Myrkvar released a self-called single, and now Shiver Records will release the band’s full length debut album, which lasts for almost fifty minutes. In the vein of the former material, Als Een Woeste Horde (meaning: ‘like a furious horde’) stands for epic and melodic Viking / Folk Metal with many Black Metal elements (some riffs, some screams, some spheres). The band makes use of ‘traditional’ instruments, such as violin, flute and Jew’s harp, besides electric and acoustic guitars, bass, drums and keyboards. Several Scandinavian bands come to mind: Vintersorg, Månegarm, Borknagar, Finntroll, Turisaz or Asmegin, but also a few West-European (Celtic-influenced) ones, like Cruachan, Garmenhord, Eluveitie, Heidevolk or Aes Dana, to name but a few. Some tracks are fast and brutal, others are melancholic, a few are more Folk-based, and some are epic, victorious and glorifying. That means variation, an important element to outreach within the Folk-oriented scene nowadays. The album, which also includes one of the songs that did appear on the single earlier this year, is a nice effort, even though it does not satisfy me completely. I think several of higher-mentioned bands are more convincing, but Als Een Woeste Horde is a refreshing debut with character and balls! 82/100 Ivan Tibos. |