Farnord

A while ago a friend mentioned me a Russian band who could easily get to the top in the viking/pagan scene but I didn't give heel to his praise so I missed their earlier work. And according to Nomans Land, that was a mistake. This band from St. Petersburg shows us that there still are places for interesting, good albums within this genre and they shouldn't have to be extravagant or unusual to prove that.

The music is simple in this case, mostly mid-tempo viking metal with synthesizers and epic vocals, sometimes it's faster but not really fast. However, it's not a problem, for instance, the 'Nordland II' album by Bathory is one of my favourites and not because of it's pace. The songs were written in the 3/4 and 6/8 time which is very typical in this genre with very melodic leads instead of guitar solos as you expect. What's so great about this band then? Well, the melodies of the vocal and the guitars are extremely catchy, once you heard, your mind can't get just rid of them. The atmosphere is also really strong here, it reminds me the best Scandinavian bands. The guitar sound is not as heavy as it should be though, but you get used to it in no time, and you can hear every single riff, so this is not a huge problem. The singer is really good, his English pronunciation is also okay but the presence of the Russian accent is really strong in the clean parts. But it works, and what is more, it sounds better and heavier with these lyrics (it definitely sounds better here than the perfect Oxfordian pronunciation). These clean vocal parts are the best moments on the album, they are better in this than many similar bands today.

Their other strength is the catchy guitar and synth melodies. Fortunately they aren't forcing the use of the synthesizers, each song consists the perfect amount of the keyboards, the rest of the melodies are performed by the guitars. Some of these are almost familiar, for instance, the faster 'Valhalla Calls' reminded me the Danish viking/folk newcomer Svartsot, the 'Land of the Cold Flame' contains a riff which is absolutely similar to the riff in 'Fury Divine' by Amon Amarth. Maybe that's just a coincidence and it doesn't really matter because that's all, the rest of the album just has the similar sound but no rip-offs. However, this track is weaker than the others, but still good. But there is a track which should be mentioned, and that is 'Ulvsjar' with its perfect medieval atmosphere. Unfortunately, the promotional pack didn't contain the bonus track (Voice of Battle), so I can't tell anything about it, but the first eight tracks are great, so I suppose that one song won't ruin the overall image.

After listening to Farnord I have to agree with my friend, this group is more than promising, their music is equal to the top bands' work, Farnord's real place is among them. I won't be surprised if they play on Heidenfest or Paganfest, and I would definitely attend these events just because of them. The rating can't be higher because this album was not released 5 years ago, and to tell the truth, there isn't any revolutionary or unexpectedly outstanding thing on this album, this is „just” an absolutely well-composed, great album, viking metal at its best. (Of course, because of the vocals and melodies a half bonus point was gained). I would recommend this album for those viking fans who are very anxious to hear the new Månegarm and want to listen to some great viking music, instead of the new Týr full-length.

( Originally written for: http://kronosmortus.hu )

My first encounter with what is probably the most Scandinavian of all the Russian bands dates back to four years ago when I reviewed their debut album (which in turn was already five years old at that time) and I’ve to admit I’d somehow lost their trace until last day the randomness of used records shops made me stumble upon their most recent output to date. The least than can be said is for someone who has heard neither the second nor third albums, things have evolved a lot – perhaps due to several line-up changes. While The Last Son of the Fjord was both straight-to-the point and formulaic Viking metal more in the vein of Einherjer and their followers, Farnord sounds way more ample, filled with harmonies and melodies, and in its most upbeat moments even goes as far as hinting to “party” bands a la Finntroll (the second track Valhalla Calls being the finest example)!

Let’s be clear: the only thing that prevents Farnord from being a great release is its lack of sheer originality inside of an overcrowded genre – clichéd-to-death lyrics in broken English don’t help either -, what makes it a surprisingly good one is its homogeneity. Each of the nine tracks is exactly in the same vein, still each of the nine tracks is easily recognizable, and each of the nine tracks is equally strong. In addition the whole work is pretty direct as deprived of any intro, sample, spoken bullshit or interlude of any kind, deprived of any ballad and more interestingly deprived of any acoustic instrument, not even a guitar, what makes me reluctant to use the word “folk” and constantly refer to “Viking” instead – indeed if a fiddle can still occasionally be heard on the three central tracks (Prophecy of Runes, Land of a Cold Flame, Ulvsjar) this one is highly likely to be synthetic (no fiddler is credited, by the way). Nomans Land is far from abusing from keyboards though, the melody being almost exclusively taking care of by the lead guitar.

Gone is the clean voice from the debut as well, if some epic chant may still be heard at times most of the vocal duties are now performed by the token harsh fierce warrior who does his job pretty nicely, admittedly well helped by the slightly misty production always keeping a perfect balance between the guitars and voices. The musicians are all of a decent level anyway, the drums in particular looking far more inventive than on the debut.

Now damn me the little thing has hooks. Nomans Land here managed to craft tunes together memorable and deprived of any sort of cheese, perhaps because by keeping the guitars at the centre they managed to avoid the most usual reefs – silliness, sugariness, pomp. Some songs even show some true anthemic potential, like the lively opener Shield of Northern Fjords – a song with a strong reminiscence of early Ensiferum, but less overblown –, Prophecy of Runes with its haunting middle section, the slower, more melancholic Land of a Cold Flame or the majestic Ulvsjar. Valhalla Calls is the “fun” track as well as the shortest, Storm of Steel the “epic” one as well as the longest, even indulging in a short bass solo. Why Voice of Battle is considered as a bonus track somehow escapes me as it doesn’t sound radically different from the rest, perhaps a bit more riff-driven, not that it really matters.

Finding an album of this kind not running out of steam after its first half has elapsed isn’t always easy matter, and Farnord is from the beginning to the end an agreeable release which should charm any amateur of epic landscapes, catchy melodies and good ol’ lyrics about swords clashing. As an album which isn’t certainly pretending to be more than what it is, for what it is it’s extremely well done. Of course no one will deny Nomans Land still lacks of a truly personal touch, but who cares.

Highlights: Shield of Northern Fjords, Prophecy of Runes, Ulvsjar...