Vanir
Særimners Kød

May 2011
Released: 2011, Target Distribution/Mighty Music
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Theis Rytoft

Vanir is something as unusual as a Danish folk metal band. The Danish audience has not been blessed with much of that though a band such as Svartsot comes to mind. It is Vanir’s first album and what a fine way to begin!



The mood is being set right from the start with “Af Brages Æt” that spews very happy, folkish and slow melodies out. It functions as an intro to the next track “Gildet” which delivers a more bombastic output. The atmosphere is still clouded with happy melodies even though the vocal employs an output close to growling sometimes. Generally the common trait, the happy mood and atmosphere, depicted throughout the tracks, affects me as a listener. The mentioned vocal provides a good contrast to this as it mostly growls or shrieks its way through. This gives the release a bit more edge and variation.



Variation is something which is very fittingly describing Vanir as they make use of many different instruments. And it is done in an appropriate way so that I, as the listener, do not get overwhelmed.

The diversity amongst the tracks can be seen with “Særimners Kød” and “Rejsen til Udgårdsloke” having a more brutal and darker appeal contrasted to “Suttungs Mjød” and “Togtet”.



SÆRIMNERS KØD proves to be a diverse album and a bringer of pleasant tunes. It can feel tedious at times since it features 11 tracks of this type of folk metal. Nonetheless it is an impressive debut as it incorporates melodies that are both delightful and brings the feeling of a creeping darkness in a well presented mix.