Ymir

Despite existing since 1998, Ymir have previously released only 2 demos. Now they return from the abyss with a full length album set for release via Werewolf Records on November 13th 2020.

Icy synths and samples start the album with a chilling and beautiful ambience that is transcendental and immediately gripping. Blistering riffs and blastbeats fire into existence over the chilling synths which lay subtly beneath the instrumental cascades scolding glare. Howling vocals add further piercing qualities to the Finnish black metal storm that certainly has that melancholic aggression that gives Finland its bittersweet characteristic. With a monstrous production allowing the fearsome soundscapes to truly achieve grandiosity while feeling raw and bold in equal measure, there is no denying this album was worth the wait. Delivering a chaotic yet gorgeous display of black metal finesse, one can truly hear the passionately executed ferocity that is untamed here. A riveting beginning to the record that shows a powerful potential to expand into a pungent concoction of frenzied atmospheric glory.

Continuing in the mystically spectral vein that was showcased from the start, the subtleties are key to this music, requiring full attention, as we are enveloped by ancient soundscapes of dungeon-dwelling heathenism from a time long ago. Melodic guitar work spices up the scathing radiance of the black metal inferno as we see a developed, precise and magnificently drive album erupt into its uniquely stunning potential. Through eclectic atmospheric ideas, there is not that monotonous drudge that some atmospheric black metal falls into. This isn’t overly pretty or boring, there is plenty of violence in the gorgeous music that has more to it than meets the ear or most contemporaries in this style. With bands like Faustian Pact, Vargrav and Gardsghastr giving synth-ridden black metal some well-needed excellence, Ymir certainly falls among these strong ranks with their ferociously frostbitten tomes of black metal mastery. This is due to a sincerity in the music backed up by incredible musicianship. From the sparse and often dissonant guitars to the superbly charged drumming and with chilling vocals and synths to complete the mix, we see real talent here.

Soothing as it may seem, there is an underlying sense of darkness burning at the heart of this music, do not be fooled, this is as unforgiving and relentless as black metal should be. With some inevitable similarities to Baptism due to the members behind this project, there is a completely different type of drive to Ymir. Archaic in nature though without feeling like another music entity is being channelled, the exceptionally concise and daunting extremity heard here is bleak and monolithically powerful example of Finnish black metal at a high point. Tasteful shifts and progression keep the music interesting while never becoming jarring or off-kilter, there is an easy-to-love kind of atmosphere here that is incredibly dense and inarguably haunting. Emotive is another way one could describe this music as there is definitely melancholy, anguish and yet also a rebirth of fierce aggression is ablaze within these pagan tales.

This is truly a fantastic debut record that all black metal fans with an appreciation for atmosphere, melody and mysticism presented with ambience and nuance aplenty will adore for certain.

Written for www.nattskog.wordpress.com