If you're in the mood for death metal, folk metal, power metal and progressive metal — all, of course, performed under the rousing Viking metal umbrella by 30 vocalists and musicians from 11 countries — then Folkearth's Drakkars in the Mist is for you. The third album from this evolving ensemble revolves around Scandinavian and Greek mythology, and seeks to showcase Nordic ancestral and cultural influences with diverse use of flute, tin whistle, Celtic harp, recorder, bagpipes and other exotic instruments. What is perhaps most remarkable about this project, which began in 2004 with 11 players from six countries, is that it includes members from such decidedly anti-Nordic parts of the world as Spain, Greece, Italy and the United States. (To top it off, Drakkars in the Mist was released by a Russian label.)
All of these 17 songs impress on one level or another, but the strongest are "Griminsmol (The Ballad of Grimnir)," "Sworn to the Raven" and the title track.
Track Listing:
1) Before Battle I Embrace
2) Hoplites Awaiting Command
3) Hugin & Munin
4) Griminsmol (The Ballad of Grimnir)
5) Högtid
6) Sworn to the Raven
7) Great God Pan
8) Drakkars in the Mist
9) Midgard Farewell
10) De Tause Fjell
11) If I Should Fall
12) When Long Ships Arrive
13) On Wings Divine
14) Thunders of War
15) The Bane of Giants (Bonus Track)
16) Kingdom of the Shades (Bonus Track)
17) The Riding of the Queen Boudiccea (Bonus Track)