Árstíðir Lífsins – Saga Á Tveim Tungum I: Vápn Ok Viðr


What is Viking Metal and what does it consist of? Is it having twenty-eight inches of hair, dressing up in armor and/or a kilt while wielding a sword? Is it dressing in all black while wearing Thor’s hammer pendants around the neck? Or perhaps it consists of including symbolic imagery such as runes and ships in the package art? More importantly, what is the formula to creating good Viking Metal? I ask these burning questions because ever since the Metal world included Norse mythology into its art, a majority of the bands at the forefront playing it are way too gimmicky. There are too many bands gravitating towards Norse mythology and its culture while writing about it because it is the trend rather than having love, appreciation, or genuine interest for it. In my opinion, good Viking Metal is a rarity.

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Music Video: Arstidir Lifsins – Norðsæta Gætis, Herforingja Ormsins Langa


ARSTIDIR LIFSINS

Icelandic/German pagan metallers Arstidir Lifsins (Icelandic for “the seasons of life”) is streaming the music video for “Norðsæta Gætis, Herforingja Ormsins Langa,” off of their album Aldafǫðr Ok Munka Dróttinn, out now via Van Records.

ARSTIDIR LIFSINS aldafoor ok munka drottinn

Aldafǫðr Ok Munka Dróttinn Track Listing:
I:
1. Kastar Heljar Brenna Fjarri Ofan Onundarfirðinum
2. Knorr Siglandi Birtisk Á Löngu Bláu Yfirborði
3. Þeir Heilags Dóms Hirðar
4. Úlfs Veðrit Er Ið CMXCIX
5. Máni, Bróðir Sólar Ok Mundilfara
II:
1. Tími Er Kominn At Kveða Fyrir Þér
2. Norðsæta Gætis, Herforingja Ormsins Langa
3. Bituls Skokra Benvargs Hreggjar Á Sér Stað
4. Sem Lengsk Vánar Lopts Ljósgimu Hvarfs Dregr Nærri

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Árstíðir lífsins – Aldafǫðr ok munka dróttinn


Arstioir-Lifsins-Aldafoor-Ok-Munka-Drottinn

Icelandic/German three-piece Árstíðir lífsins (Icelandic for “The Seasons of Life”) are back with a new album, Aldafǫðr ok munka dróttinn (Ván Records); an expansive, sprawling exploration of Icelandic history and culture.

This is the third record from the pagan Black Metal outfit – Árni (Drums, Viola, Cello, Vocals), Marsél (Vocals), Stefán (Guitars, Bass, Piano, Vibraphone, Vocals) – in five years, and while it reportedly explores the era of Christian conversion of Iceland circa 1000AD, you’ll be hard pressed to know it. The album is “sung entirely in Old Norse-Icelandic, with added Skaldic verses from the Icelandic sagas.”

This double-disc affair is packed with tracks that rarely clock-in at less than eight minutes long; each track is packed with enough style and time changes to fill a dozen “Kvlt” black metal outfits. The music swings from folky acoustics and haunting ambiance to raw blast beats and even death metal. The vocals range from spoken word and choirs to screeching howls, often within layers of the same song. Epic but never overly bombastic, every track is intricate, dense and atmospheric. The mood is mostly bleak and sombre but rarely strays in monotony or tedium, which is impressive given the length and complexity of what’s on show.

Authenticity is a big part of this album. While some acts that base themselves on the history and mythology of Scandinavia can often stray into easy stereotypes, this feels like a living history lesson. At 80 minutes, Aldafǫðr ok munka dróttinn is a big investment that requires your attention to be fully appreciated. But those willing to put the effort it, Árstíðir lífsins will reward with an epic listen.

 

8.0/10

Árstíðir lífsins on Facebook

DAN SWINHOE