As medieval period dramas, movies and computer games have grown in popularity, so has the interest in traditional music from a bygone era. Skald, weaving a story, brings the distant past to life and seeks to captivate us with a Scandinavian folk tale in the form of his new album Huldufólk.
Medieval-inspired neofolk has become such a saturated genre that when it comes to excluding cosplay Vikings from anything with real substance, the wheat often needs to be separated from the chaff. group of french poets When it comes to immersing themselves and listeners in ancient Scandinavian culture, they’ve proven they know the onion.
hidden people, the collective’s third full-length album, immediately draws listeners into their world. Using traditional Nordic instruments such as nyckelharpa, talharpa and even hurdy gurdy, the tracks “troll kala miku” and the whimsical and gently uplifting “da monen” take you to a remote and mysterious forest. or transported to the mountains of old. Sken”.
In contrast, the album also features more upbeat performances, taking the album further away from the usual crucible of melancholy atmosphere expected of the genre. ‘Ljósálfur’ takes its name from the elf character mentioned in Snorri Sturluson’s ‘Prose Edda’ and utilizes his pattern of fast-paced vocals to allow elements of each instrument to shine through. I’m here.most catchy song hidden people ‘Elverhøy’ has a slightly dance-pop twist, pumping the blood of Gabriel Kent’s ‘Ríðum, Ríðum’, a deep cut related to the Icelandic Equestrian Championship, with a galloping percussive audio effect just right. create.
hidden people It also contains intimate moments so that the album can breathe if it wants to. Both ‘Mánin Líður’ and ‘Hinn Mikli Dreki’ are stripped of their intensity and instead have a calming, lullaby, or almost siren-song-like quality. The same goes for Skald’s rendition of ‘Her Mannelig’. This is an old folk he ballad that was previously popular with genre peers. Garm.
Frustratingly, where the album disappoints are the reimagined cover songs featured on the record.Skald version of Rammstein’s ‘Du Hast’ is an interesting listen, and while it doesn’t sound entirely out of place in a stage show STOMP, it’s probably best enjoyed loud with a flurry of mead horns. For Skáld’s folky overhaul of ‘A Forest’: Treatment, it has a kind of corny quality to it. The magic of mythical creatures and Scandinavian landscapes previously conjured up seems now to be replaced by turbulent imagery. Robert Smith call goth Tom Bombadil And give the Worthers Originals to the Throat-Singing Traveler. These covers are fun, but somewhat detract from the “journey” the album claims to take listeners on. that too seriously? They are fun, but very out of place.
whole hidden people has proven to be a brave and somewhat cinematic effort by poets An accessible, educational listen that explores a variety of ancient cultures and languages. Take us on a journey of Scandinavian history and folklore, hidden people is an album that can be enjoyed and admired by neo-folk music traditionalists, folk-leaning metal fans and contemporary Plastic Viking fans alike.
