Rating: 9/10
Release: 15 December 2012
Label: Tutl Records

Napalm Records has released the debut album ‘Baldur’ by the Icelandic band Skálmöld worldwide, for us a great opportunity to take a critical view at this album. The band has created this in 2010 already.
The album begins with “Heima” that’s a shock for the metal fan because you get to hear an Icelandic choir here. As many albums it starts with an intro, so I just keep on listening. At “Aras” they immediately nail it. Here and there some Tyr-like sounds. A fairly withheld but heavy sound, the same goes for the next issue. After this we get “Upprisa”, a song which is something else, weird and nice and smooth. With Kvaðning we get a very beautiful song, in which the band all makes a showcase of what they have got in store.
Svartsot without whistles, Tyr without guitar riffs, Trollfest without ADHD, this is Skálmöld. But do not think that the band excels in everything they don’t have. The band create a beautiful sound of its own, with heavy vocals, with a backdrop of stunning high second male voice, beautiful harmonies. The band has a lot in store for us. I’m already looking forward to the next album.

Tracklist

1. Heima 2:39
2. Árás 6:06
3. Sorg 5:25
4. Upprisa 6:34
5. För 3:58
6. Draumur 1:34
7. Kvaðning 7:54
8. Hefnd 5:06
9. Daudi 6:31
10. Valhöll 5:08
11. Baldur 10:50
12. Kvaðning (Edit) 4:49