Helheim - The Journeys and the Experiences of Death
Dark Essence Records - KAR015 - 2006
By Wayward_Son
A band that can immediately bring to mind mumblings of unrealized potential, Norway’s Helheim has been dogged by a glorious past for almost a decade. The “glorious past” I speak of began with the 1994 demo, Nidr Ok Nordr Liggr Helvegr, and continued to the band’s first full length effort, Jormundgand. Combining Norse mythology, early Enslaved, and an over-the-top vocalist, Jormundgand found an audience and instantly made Helheim a band to watch out for. The follow-up, 1997’s Av Norron Aett, only reinforced this belief. Taking the Norse elements even further, adding a few new ingredients, while honing the already-strong songwriting abilities, it remains the band’s best album as well as a minor black metal classic.
Helheim would then discover technology and incorporate it into Terrorveldet, Blod & Ild, and Yersinia Pestis. While all of these would be worthy releases for any band, coming from Helheim and considering the honorable beginnings, this new direction was unfulfilling.
With The Journeys and the Experiences of Death, Helheim brings us an above average album that, while not even close to reaching the heights of the band’s beginnings, should appease fans of epic black metal. The riffs are crunchier, thrashier, and bring a certain death metal feel to the songs. Vocals range from a hoarse shout, a throat ripping shriek, and a low growl. Fortunately, Helheim possess the wits to tie it all together along with epic passages of chanting and Bathory-inspired chords.
The problem with The Journeys and the Experiences of Death is that half of the songs are fast raging, sharp black metal. The better half is epic black metal with those folk and “Viking” touches we all love. Standout tracks include 'Oaken Dragons', '13 to the Perished' and the album closer, 'The Thrall and the Master'. Not surprisingly, all of these songs belong to the second half of the album, also known as The Journeys and The Symbols and Sacrifice, according to the album’s concept.
I’m not going to tell you, Faithful Reader, that The Journeys and the Experiences of Death is a bad album. I’m also not going to lie and tell you it’s a great one. It’s just another notch on the belt for a band that is somehow unable to harness their collective talents and potential.
The truth is, you can do better. The fact is, Helheim have done better.
Official Helheim Website
Official Dark Essence Records Website
Dark Essence Records - KAR015 - 2006
By Wayward_Son
A band that can immediately bring to mind mumblings of unrealized potential, Norway’s Helheim has been dogged by a glorious past for almost a decade. The “glorious past” I speak of began with the 1994 demo, Nidr Ok Nordr Liggr Helvegr, and continued to the band’s first full length effort, Jormundgand. Combining Norse mythology, early Enslaved, and an over-the-top vocalist, Jormundgand found an audience and instantly made Helheim a band to watch out for. The follow-up, 1997’s Av Norron Aett, only reinforced this belief. Taking the Norse elements even further, adding a few new ingredients, while honing the already-strong songwriting abilities, it remains the band’s best album as well as a minor black metal classic.
Helheim would then discover technology and incorporate it into Terrorveldet, Blod & Ild, and Yersinia Pestis. While all of these would be worthy releases for any band, coming from Helheim and considering the honorable beginnings, this new direction was unfulfilling.
With The Journeys and the Experiences of Death, Helheim brings us an above average album that, while not even close to reaching the heights of the band’s beginnings, should appease fans of epic black metal. The riffs are crunchier, thrashier, and bring a certain death metal feel to the songs. Vocals range from a hoarse shout, a throat ripping shriek, and a low growl. Fortunately, Helheim possess the wits to tie it all together along with epic passages of chanting and Bathory-inspired chords.
The problem with The Journeys and the Experiences of Death is that half of the songs are fast raging, sharp black metal. The better half is epic black metal with those folk and “Viking” touches we all love. Standout tracks include 'Oaken Dragons', '13 to the Perished' and the album closer, 'The Thrall and the Master'. Not surprisingly, all of these songs belong to the second half of the album, also known as The Journeys and The Symbols and Sacrifice, according to the album’s concept.
I’m not going to tell you, Faithful Reader, that The Journeys and the Experiences of Death is a bad album. I’m also not going to lie and tell you it’s a great one. It’s just another notch on the belt for a band that is somehow unable to harness their collective talents and potential.
The truth is, you can do better. The fact is, Helheim have done better.
Official Helheim Website
Official Dark Essence Records Website
