- Aug 18, 2002
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Thyrfing Hels Vite
Regain 27 January 2009
By Ryan Starr
Thyrfing was my first introduction to Viking metal. I came across Urkraft at my local indy record shop and said to myself Oh look! A logo I cant read, I gotta check this out. So I sat down at a listening station and was hooked. Ever since Ive followed Thyrfings career pretty closely, picking up every new CD. Continuing on this tradition, I got my hands on Thyrfing's latest opus, Hels Vite.
Since Vansinnesvisor came out in 2002, Thyrfing have gotten progressively darker, and Hels Vite continues on this path, taking things even further into darkness in an epic yet melancholic way. Subtle Bathory, Moonsorrow, and Primordial influences are found throughout, most obvious on Isolation and Hels Vite. Also, the overall sound of Hels Vite seems more mature and polished, but I wouldnt say in a bad way. It may be a bit easier to digest, but it still maintains their later work signatures.
Hels Vite also debuts their new vocalist Jens Rydén. Many fans, including myself, were concerned about the departure Thomas Väänänen. My main concern was Thomas had a distinct style that perfectly suited Thyrfings sound and it just wouldnt be the same without him. Thankfully Jens has done an amazing job with the vocals, maintaining that classic sound and rhythm that we are used too. You can barely tell Thomas is gone.
While Urkraft is probably Thyrfings best work, Hels Vite is a solid release and shouldnt disappoint fans of their later work. And while its too early to say, this is definitely a contender for my top ten of 09.
Official Thyrfing Website
Official Thyrfing Myspace
Official Regain Records Myspace
Regain 27 January 2009
By Ryan Starr
Thyrfing was my first introduction to Viking metal. I came across Urkraft at my local indy record shop and said to myself Oh look! A logo I cant read, I gotta check this out. So I sat down at a listening station and was hooked. Ever since Ive followed Thyrfings career pretty closely, picking up every new CD. Continuing on this tradition, I got my hands on Thyrfing's latest opus, Hels Vite.
Since Vansinnesvisor came out in 2002, Thyrfing have gotten progressively darker, and Hels Vite continues on this path, taking things even further into darkness in an epic yet melancholic way. Subtle Bathory, Moonsorrow, and Primordial influences are found throughout, most obvious on Isolation and Hels Vite. Also, the overall sound of Hels Vite seems more mature and polished, but I wouldnt say in a bad way. It may be a bit easier to digest, but it still maintains their later work signatures.
Hels Vite also debuts their new vocalist Jens Rydén. Many fans, including myself, were concerned about the departure Thomas Väänänen. My main concern was Thomas had a distinct style that perfectly suited Thyrfings sound and it just wouldnt be the same without him. Thankfully Jens has done an amazing job with the vocals, maintaining that classic sound and rhythm that we are used too. You can barely tell Thomas is gone.
While Urkraft is probably Thyrfings best work, Hels Vite is a solid release and shouldnt disappoint fans of their later work. And while its too early to say, this is definitely a contender for my top ten of 09.
Official Thyrfing Website
Official Thyrfing Myspace
Official Regain Records Myspace
