KAMPFAR
It seems that since the turn of the century the metal scene has entered an era of NWOSFM, or New Wave of Scandinavian Folk Metal if you will. With the folk metal subgenre's current resurgence, it seems folk metal itself has spawned various subgenres of its own. The promo sleeve for Kampfar's latest album tells me this is 'Pagan Folklore Metal'. Of course it is...or perhaps an exercise in bandwagon jumping on Napalm Records part to cash-in on folk metal's huge popularity. Labelling aside (after all, they are just labels right?), the essence of a band is in the listening experience, and 'Heimgang', Kampfar's fourth full-length release to date, is a musically accomplished, skilfully composed, epic sounding slab of modern metal. There are instant similarities to Moonsorrow and early to mid-era Primordial in that the folk metal leanings are firmly rooted in majestically melancholic black metal soundscapes that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of said bands. Richly melodic throughout, there is not a dull moment during the album's 47 minute duration, and tracks alternate between mid to up-tempo sections while maintaining compositional relevance to each song's atmospherically melancholic essence. The production is, at times, a little raw, although always befitting to convey the music's intended dynamic - think Primordial's 'Storm Before Calm' and you'll be along the right lines. With 'Heimgang', Kampfar will no doubt please established fans as well as attract a degree of fresh interest given the right exposure. Highly recommended.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Napalm Records
Album
HEIMGANG
Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
47:08
RELEASE DATE:
29th Sept 2008
TRACK LISTING
1) Vantro
2) Inferno
3) Dodens Vee
4) Skogens Dyp
5) Antvort
6) Vansinn
7) Mareham
8) Feigdarvarsel
9) Vettekult
10) Vandring
2) Inferno
3) Dodens Vee
4) Skogens Dyp
5) Antvort
6) Vansinn
7) Mareham
8) Feigdarvarsel
9) Vettekult
10) Vandring
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Norway
"There are instant similarities to Moonsorrow and early to mid-era Primordial in that the folk metal leanings are firmly rooted in majestically melancholic black metal soundscapes that will undoutedly appeal to fans of said bands."