Yes, Sweden is definitely the hot bed of metal these days. The latest from Thryfing, Farsotstider, will instantly appeal to listeners to who fill their day with albums by bands like Enslaved, Opeth, Amon Amarth, Finntroll, Amorphis, Dimmu Borgir, and Hypocrisy. This is melodic and symphonic death/black metal, plain and simple, and done well. Plenty of atmospheric keyboards adorn these songs, like on the powerful yet gorgeous epic "Jag Spår Fördärv", a solid track that also features pummeling guitar work and raging black metal screams. Other pieces, like the complex title track, or the folk influenced "Höst", are just so multi-dimensional that I'm reminded of Opeth and Enslaved, two bands that have really expanded the death and black metal genres by using layers of experimentation, both folky and proggy, to go along with their crushing riffs. If you haven't already figured it out by the song titles, the entire album was penned in the band's native tongue, but trust me, the Swedish vocals take nothing away from the enjoyment you will get from listening to this CD.
Check out the melodic and progressive approach to "Elddagjämning", a real stunner with plenty of intricate guitar parts, yearning harsh and clean vocals, symphonic bits, and complex rhythms, or the atmospheric and gothic "Baldersbålet", for two other great examples of dramatic metal. Of course, who can ignore the symphonic and Dimmu Borgir influenced closer "Tiden Läker Intet", a real monster track featuring plenty of orchestrations and catchy riffs. This is a CD that will surprise many, and surely win many new fans that will be eager to seek out the band's back catalog. Bravo!
Track Listing
1) Far Åt Helvete
2) Jag Spår Fördärv
3) Farsotstider
4) Höst
5) Själavrak
6) Elddagjämning
7) Baldersbålet
8) Tiden Läker Intet
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