BATHORY - NORDLAND
I
was really looking forward to hear this new Bathory release, and the name
Nordland pt.I was more than a good omen (especially because is called pt.I and a
second part is near to be released ), from the first notes of the intro called
"prelude" you’re delighted by the atmosphere and putted on a river
with your raft thru icy plains and great snowy mountains all together with the
typical melancholic mood of ancient
northern tales. The production is a
bit raw, but better than Blood On Ice, and that fits good the typical Bathory
sound, can you really imagine Bathory playing with the licked and boring sound
of Abyss Studios ?... and speaking about Quorthon’s voice you can clearly hear
his typical way of singing out of tune, really great, and as usual he is the
unique player of all the instruments. As the title says this is a back to the
roots of Hammerheart and Blood On Ice, do not expect any black metal track or ,
very luckily this time, speed-thrash ones like Octagon and a half of Destroyer
of Worlds. The songs are very long but never boring and mostly based on
mid-tempos, the only one I think that’s is really horrible is Dragon’s
Breath but definitely it’s a great album, not a masterpiece, but really great,
probably everyone expects a masterpiece from every Bathory release, but
travelling with so high standards it’s really impossible, we must be satisfied
with a very good album this time instead of a pearl, maybe someone will say that
this album is a bit pimp, but who cares ? Take your sword and begin to ride,
destination Nordland, the battles takes place there, see you in the fields
!
Sephrenel