OK lots to discuss in this topic obviously, but I just want to start off with WINDIR (based on the interest in the 'contenders for 2003' thread). The first thing though, do WINDIR technically qualify as Viking Metal per se? I wouldn't think so on the Likferd release...?
Likferd is my only experience with WINDIR so far, but I am intrigued nonetheless. In fact, I'd like to hear some of their earlier stuff.
Three things stand out about Likferd, which I'll elaborate on in an eventual review, but here's a summary:
1 - When they want to be aggressive, they can really go for it. Grim vocals galore, drum blasts in your face, immensely strong riffs that take from both black and traditional 'heavy metal' - perhaps in the same way latter day IMMORTAL did. Pretty cool.
2 - When they want to slow things down, the music becomes instantly likeable - vocals become clean and harmonized, and at times chant-like (a la THYRFING on Valdr Galga). The guitars play well together with just a hint of keyboards as and when needed.
3 - Most noticeably, it sounds like these guys are having fun with a whole host of instruments and time changes, and there are even moments of polka. Definitely a big FINNTROLL thing going on here, so beware if you don't like FINNTROLL...I happen to love the Trolls.
So again I'm not so sure that Likferd is specifically Viking metal, but it would probably appeal to fans of the genre either way. Nordic folk metal with songs like "On the Mountain of Goats", heh.
And if you're going to sample one song, download "Martyrium" - it is phenomenal. That song alone is worthy of discussion.
Likferd is my only experience with WINDIR so far, but I am intrigued nonetheless. In fact, I'd like to hear some of their earlier stuff.
Three things stand out about Likferd, which I'll elaborate on in an eventual review, but here's a summary:
1 - When they want to be aggressive, they can really go for it. Grim vocals galore, drum blasts in your face, immensely strong riffs that take from both black and traditional 'heavy metal' - perhaps in the same way latter day IMMORTAL did. Pretty cool.
2 - When they want to slow things down, the music becomes instantly likeable - vocals become clean and harmonized, and at times chant-like (a la THYRFING on Valdr Galga). The guitars play well together with just a hint of keyboards as and when needed.
3 - Most noticeably, it sounds like these guys are having fun with a whole host of instruments and time changes, and there are even moments of polka. Definitely a big FINNTROLL thing going on here, so beware if you don't like FINNTROLL...I happen to love the Trolls.
So again I'm not so sure that Likferd is specifically Viking metal, but it would probably appeal to fans of the genre either way. Nordic folk metal with songs like "On the Mountain of Goats", heh.
And if you're going to sample one song, download "Martyrium" - it is phenomenal. That song alone is worthy of discussion.
