Helheim - Asgards Fall EP

The eagerly-awaited EP release from Norway’s Viking/black outfit Helheim lands squarely in my lap and currently fills my dimly-lit room with some pure Norwegian Viking metal the likes of which are badly needed in the current underground scene. With a myriad of bands trying and failing to tap into the well of true Norse black metal and make it even remotely viable, Helheim manages to confront the naysayers and defile the pretenders all in side of 35-minutes.  

The two epic tracks herein, “Asgards Fall I” and “II”, create a believable and interesting landscape with which to travel through, with transcendental passages of calm and enchanting design finding the perfect formula that virtually paints the mountainsides for you with clean-tone mystique and power chord ambience. In short, the music portrayed here is a bouncing ball between surrealistically encompassing Viking metal and carefully constructed black metal that doesn’t lead the listener anywhere but up. After the “Interlude” sets the serenity alight with such empowering ease, “Asgards Fall II” can literally send cold chills up your legs and back with Bathory-like flavor, ala Nordland I. Carrying such weighty influences on the shoulders can no doubt be cumbersome, but after stepping up the music a few notches Helheim is equal to the task. The clean production that can border on scenic simplicity is also of high caliber here, as the guitar sound is quite enjoyable and clear.  

Sung entirely in Norwegian (which lends not only credence, but charm to the songs), Asgards Fall builds the temples to fallen Vikings of ages past and allows us glimpses into the glory of what once was; when a band can portray a past era and history so acutely it tends to excite and enlighten the layman who is unfortunate enough not to know the deeper wells of such grounds. It seems that Quorthon’s legacy has not only been followed, but perfected in his absence, and for such rich histories to be left in books, relegated to homework papers and casual folklore is criminal on many levels. Helheim diverts the passions from the trendy black metal movement and sucks you back into the fray simply by using honesty and integral effort as hammer and rock. The cleaner vocal tones in the tracks are not at all dull or contrived; they are issued within the confines of subtlety as opposed to reckless screeching that gets old after, oh, 32-seconds. Helheim fired this one off on all cylinders and makes the mighty Bathory leader proud.

Not for the casual fan, Asgards Fall shines brightly past the generic garbage fouling up the scene today; it goes to prove that within the blackest of metal scenes newly polluted and diseased there is always a lone band or five willing to dig within and pull out the right attitude and honest effort. Helheim is such a band, and this EP solidifies that and then some.  

Release Date: November 1, 2010
Label: Dark Essence Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Åsgards Fall, Pt. I
2.  Åsgards Fall (Interlude)
3.  Åsgards Fall, Pt. II
4.  Helheim, Pt. VII
5.  Dualitet Og Ulver
6.  Jernskogen (2010 Version)

Total playing time:  33:34

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

Reviewer: Chris

December 24, 2010