Introduction
Heimland, a Norwegian black metal band, has released its debut album “Forfedrenes Taarer.” A Discord member recommended the album to me, saying, “This is your kind of black metal.” So, let’s see if that’s the case.
The band has been around since 2016, but their first singles weren’t released until 2019, followed by an EP titled “Fimbulvinter” in 2021. The debut album was released today (May 5th) in several formats, including cassette, CD, vinyl, and digital. Although I haven’t heard the EP, I listened to the album for the first time on the YouTube channel where it premiered, and I liked what I heard, so here is its review.
Forfedrenes Taarer
The album contains 7 tracks with a runtime of almost 35 minutes. Which for me is the perfect amount of time for a record. I have the attention span of a flea, so fast-paced black metal that’s more my thing than songs that last 10 minutes or more. But that’s just a personal preference.
- Doedens foerstning
- Ved doedens vugge
- Lagt i ruiner
- Iskald raatten jord
- Forfedrenes taarer
- Skugger fra ei svunnen tid
- Ættestupet
The album begins with a nice instrumental intro that sets a great mood. After the intro, the pace picks up with the second track, “Ved doedens vugge”, which translates to “At the cradle of death.” The vocals on this track are precisely my kind of vocals. They are harsh, cold and full of hatred.
The mixing of the entire album is fantastic; all the songs sound great both on my setup and through my headphones. The album still retains that raw edge of 90s black metal, but with a well-crafted mix that makes the music even more enjoyable.
As previously mentioned, the album is only 35 minutes long, but those minutes really fly by when listening to it. Before you know it, the last track is playing, and you’re left wondering if it’s over already. For me, this is a great indication of whether an album clicks with me or not, and in this case, this album definitely clicks.
Highlights
If you want to get a feel for this band’s sound, I suggest starting with one or two songs. In my opinion, “Forfedrenes Taarer”, which is the fifth track on the album, is a great choice. This song has a perfect balance of great drumming, good guitar riffs, and vocals that fit the music perfectly. It just gives off a great vibe that represents the band well.
Another song that I highly recommend is “Ættestupet”, which is the last track on the album. This song is a great way to end the album, with its pummeling drums that I, personally, love. However, I do have one minor critique: the snares sound a bit harsh to my ears, but that could just be a matter of personal preference. Overall, this is a great song and a very fitting way to end a fantastic debut album.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Discord member who recommended this album was correct: it is indeed my kind of black metal. I am excited to see what the lads come up with in the coming years. If they continue to produce music of this caliber, they have a bright future ahead of them in the black metal scene.
As for who would enjoy this album, fans of black metal from Norway and the Norwegian style should absolutely give it a try. But really, everyone should give it a listen. Both the band and the album deserve it.
BMZ Score: 8 / 10
Links
Facebook: Heimland | Facebook
Instagram: HEIMLAND (@heimlandofficial) • Instagram photos and videos
Bandcamp: Forfedrenes Taarer | Heimland | Edged Circle Productions (bandcamp.com)
YouTube: (4) Heimland Official – YouTube
Metal Archive: Heimland – Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives (metal-archives.com)
