Vintersorg - Jordpuls

Regardless of which era of Vintersorg you prefer, the one thing that they always seem to do is get people talking.  Most people didn’t care for the last album Solens Rötter, but the rather laid back style of folk found a few people who liked it, just as Visions from the Spiral Generator has its share of detractors and fans.  One thing that most people seem to agree on, however, is that the first albums, Till Fjälls and Ödemarkens Son, are considered the best albums from the duo.  Their latest album Jordpuls follows the old cliché in the music business of “returning to their roots,” but when listening to it, the adage is true for the most part.

From the opening track “Världsalltets Fanfar,” it becomes obvious that Vintersorg is more focused on the metal side of things, something that Till Fjälls and Ödemarkens Son had quite a bit of to go along with the folk elements and the lyrical themes from their more recent albums.  In fact, Jordpuls is a combination of all of their previous albums, which doesn’t necessarily mean that it is their best album ever, but it comes close.  There is still a balance between Vintersorg’s clean and harsh vocals, which illustrate the band’s two distinct elements nicely, and that balance carries over into the music, as evidenced by “Klippor Och Skär.”  A nod to Vintersorg’s more recent efforts can be found on songs such as “Mörk Nebulosa” and “Stjärndyrkan,” both of which have lyrical themes reminiscent of the Cosmic Genesis days, as well as parts of the music similar from those albums.  Musically, there is so much on the album that more than one listen isn’t an option, it’s a must.  That quantity is nothing if there isn’t quality, but Vintersorg has no problem with that, was everything seems to work well, from the slower parts (such as those from the Solens Rötter album, as evidenced on “Skogen Sover”) to the heavier, more metal parts (Till Fjälls). If there’s anything that one can truly find that can be considered a flaw, it would be that Vintersorg borrows heavily from their own previous efforts.  While Jordpuls offers nothing truly new for longtime Vintersorg listeners, it does combine everything the band has done to work as one on the album.

After a few albums with mixed results, Vintersorg seems to have found an album that just about everyone will like.  Jordpuls is almost a best of album for Vintersorg, except that they aren’t compiling songs, just ideas from albums past.  Whether Jordpuls ends up being the band’s best album is something that time will tell, but for now, it will have to settle for an early album of the year nomination.

Release Date: February 20, 2011
Label: Napalm Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Världsalltets Fanfar
2.   Klippor Och Skär
3.   Till Dånet Av Forsar Och Fall
4.   Mörk Nebulosa
5.   Stjärndyrkan
6.   Skogen Sover
7.   Vindögat
8.   Palissader
9.   Eld Och Lågor

Total playing time:  46:41

*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: Peter

March 25, 2011