Thyrfing – Farsotstider
Regain Records - RR 078 - November 21st, 2005
by Stuart Norman
Thyrfing are doing something very different with Farsotstider and that has to be understood from the start, and this album will not have everything that you may have associated with Thyrfing in the past. What it does have is a great wealth of ideas executed with class and originality. Farsotstider is different, cultured and it really really works.
Within the first 5 minutes, ‘Far At Helvete’ has introduced itself with a low-fi intro reminiscent of Fenriz’ Isengard, before launching into full production and black metal riffage, cursed us in abrasive Swedish tongue and left us in mantra; one of the many sublime touches that feature throughout Farsotstider. Thyrfing have evolved into quite a new beast, but not in a haphazard way, this whole album comes across as well conceived and purposefully executed. For me there is a sense that Thyrfing having found what it is they want to be doing musically, most noticeably and evidently in their now all-Swedish lyrical style. There’s something about the language that fits this genre like a glove, (presumably a studded leather glove clutching a heavily spiked club). It lends a lot to the lyrical delivery, but Thomas Vaananen’s vocals add a rare dimension to proceedings with their vigour, giving the songs real character. The clear vocals are delivered with taste and each time to great effect, those on ‘Höst’ being a prime example.
There is no doubt that certain tracks are stronger than others, ‘Själavrak’ has a tendency to meander and the earlier tracks in general are the better ones, but there is stylistic consistency enough that Farsotstider is enjoyable and interesting from start to finish. A great deal of the success of this album is in the attention to detail, in little moments of production and in the finer touches, not just in the vocals, but across the guitar work, drumming and subtle synth arrangements giving Farsotstider the edge over so many other current releases.
More so than on previous releases, Thyrfing have been utilised the synths with enough subtlety and taste as to add a new angle to the tracks without sounding twee or clumsy. Thyrfing have always had good ideas, now they are delivering them with a lot more maturity. Along with these arrangements, the vocal delivery and mid-tempo pace becomes reminiscent of Samael at certain times, at least how Samael may have sounded had they not taken the more industrial route. This is an indication as to the slightly more rhythmic feel that has been infused with their folk roots on Farsotstide. My only concern would be that Thyrfing don’t lose sight of that cavalier unpredictability with their new-found identity. So often when a band reach a level of stylistic maturity, they lose the edge they had before. Indeed if there is one criticism that will be levelled at Thyrfing for this album, it is that there are some features of their music which they have simply shed, certain elements of their folk influences don’t feature at all on Farsotstider. In stripping back stylistically though, the arrangements are a lot more secure, allowing the original ideas that are there to be more fully developed into strong tracks. In any case, I personally don’t see the point in reviewing an album purely in context with a back catalogue, and what Thyrfing have been known for in the past doesn’t make this a good or a bad album. What makes Farsotstider a good album is the variety, good ideas, arrangements and execution of the songs.
Whereas Farsotstider falls just short of being a truly spectacular album, it is original and intriguing, largely thanks to superb vocal performances and a few great hooks on the way, whilst retaining all the old-school Swedish malice. Whereas I have no doubt that this album will divide fans and probably critics to a degree, Thyrfing have recorded without a doubt their best album to date, and one well worth looking into whether you consider yourself a fan or not.
8.5/10
Official Thyrfing Website
Official Regain Records Website
Regain Records - RR 078 - November 21st, 2005
by Stuart Norman
Thyrfing are doing something very different with Farsotstider and that has to be understood from the start, and this album will not have everything that you may have associated with Thyrfing in the past. What it does have is a great wealth of ideas executed with class and originality. Farsotstider is different, cultured and it really really works.
Within the first 5 minutes, ‘Far At Helvete’ has introduced itself with a low-fi intro reminiscent of Fenriz’ Isengard, before launching into full production and black metal riffage, cursed us in abrasive Swedish tongue and left us in mantra; one of the many sublime touches that feature throughout Farsotstider. Thyrfing have evolved into quite a new beast, but not in a haphazard way, this whole album comes across as well conceived and purposefully executed. For me there is a sense that Thyrfing having found what it is they want to be doing musically, most noticeably and evidently in their now all-Swedish lyrical style. There’s something about the language that fits this genre like a glove, (presumably a studded leather glove clutching a heavily spiked club). It lends a lot to the lyrical delivery, but Thomas Vaananen’s vocals add a rare dimension to proceedings with their vigour, giving the songs real character. The clear vocals are delivered with taste and each time to great effect, those on ‘Höst’ being a prime example.
There is no doubt that certain tracks are stronger than others, ‘Själavrak’ has a tendency to meander and the earlier tracks in general are the better ones, but there is stylistic consistency enough that Farsotstider is enjoyable and interesting from start to finish. A great deal of the success of this album is in the attention to detail, in little moments of production and in the finer touches, not just in the vocals, but across the guitar work, drumming and subtle synth arrangements giving Farsotstider the edge over so many other current releases.
More so than on previous releases, Thyrfing have been utilised the synths with enough subtlety and taste as to add a new angle to the tracks without sounding twee or clumsy. Thyrfing have always had good ideas, now they are delivering them with a lot more maturity. Along with these arrangements, the vocal delivery and mid-tempo pace becomes reminiscent of Samael at certain times, at least how Samael may have sounded had they not taken the more industrial route. This is an indication as to the slightly more rhythmic feel that has been infused with their folk roots on Farsotstide. My only concern would be that Thyrfing don’t lose sight of that cavalier unpredictability with their new-found identity. So often when a band reach a level of stylistic maturity, they lose the edge they had before. Indeed if there is one criticism that will be levelled at Thyrfing for this album, it is that there are some features of their music which they have simply shed, certain elements of their folk influences don’t feature at all on Farsotstider. In stripping back stylistically though, the arrangements are a lot more secure, allowing the original ideas that are there to be more fully developed into strong tracks. In any case, I personally don’t see the point in reviewing an album purely in context with a back catalogue, and what Thyrfing have been known for in the past doesn’t make this a good or a bad album. What makes Farsotstider a good album is the variety, good ideas, arrangements and execution of the songs.
Whereas Farsotstider falls just short of being a truly spectacular album, it is original and intriguing, largely thanks to superb vocal performances and a few great hooks on the way, whilst retaining all the old-school Swedish malice. Whereas I have no doubt that this album will divide fans and probably critics to a degree, Thyrfing have recorded without a doubt their best album to date, and one well worth looking into whether you consider yourself a fan or not.
8.5/10
Official Thyrfing Website
Official Regain Records Website
