Rating: 9.6/10
Release: 18 September 2020
Label: Century Media Records

Not sure about the rest of ya’ll, but 2020 has thoroughly thrust my inner ear off balance and utterly derailed any semblance of a moral compass off course, life experience vertigo in the new age or something. Irrespective of personal psychoanalysis, its easy to recognize how our perception is so viscerally consequential of the surrounding circumstances that plague us. No pun intended and indeed, currently, they seem in dire straights. Don’t even get me started on correlated timing amplifying the overall effect. Now, if my metal math doesn’t deceive me, it’s been a hot minute (read 7 yrs) since the trollish blackened gods of Finntroll blessed us with new material. With baited breath and expectations at peak anxiety, I can absolutely guarantee they did not disappoint! Not to oversell anything, but this is what you’ve been waiting for, my fellow folk metal fan! And although this seventh record was delayed due to those pesky circumstances, COVID indubitably, nothing can trump dutifully punctual creativity! I am a believer…a beFinntroller, trolleiber er…forever!!
Regardless of the wrathful front the horde puts up, Finntroll’s music never fails to uplift and holistically force retrospect. How much yet how little has changed since Jaktens Tid with key lineup shifts and unfortunate tragedies of the past, they have yet to deceive us. Ceasing time in what appears an existential rift, a blackened Metal hole, where existence and conception strain at the event horizon. In fact, scientific studies have been documented on which cacophonies and repetition of frequencies evoke the ideal nostalgic responses, within subjective parameters, of course. Appropriate to our folkish preferential biases, astute auditory chemists of Finntroll prove themselves in all endeavors trudged in volatile climates, commercial and otherwise. Unnecessary, surgical track by track analysis aside, we continue on with blatant vigorous devotion.
Alas fear not; our unconditional, recklessly reserved fanaticism prolonged since Blodsvept is not in vain, because I repeat, this is a hell of a record. One we all needed! Finntroll’s maturity boldly shines in every track, from the opener Vaktaren, throughout; thematic perpetuity taunting until Ylaren’s conclusion, seemingly changing so little and consequently thwarting evolving expectations. Finntroll’s unconventional blackened bleakness interluded in near spiritual optimism, grossly cliched by imitators for decades now, is un-reproduce-able and ruthlessly perseveres.
No need to outilne stellar production quality and immense attention to detail at every bridge and curve either. Although, I just did. Finntroll’s collective 23 year tenure is immaculately persistent in their clever folkish quirk, proven over every amazing release bequeathed onto the masses. Naturally, we all have our favorites but if you’re not familiar with the entire discography, immediately remove yourself from underneath that giant rock and dedicate a week, better yet a month to all they graciously have offered. Albums like Ur Jordens Djup and Nifelvind remain in my regular rotation, soon to be joined by Vredesvavd. Singles like Mask and Ormfolk could easily nestle in either, despite being conceived a decade apart. Ever familiar entrances, interchanges and melodic aura help to forget the passage of time with supporting gang hymns teleporting to forbidden Forrest soirées.
It should also go without saying that Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns continues to excel as frontman and vocal expert of the harsh persuasion that only gets better with time, like a yummy spicy whiskey. Not overshadowing the arrangement expertise of keyboardist-composer Henri “Trollhorn” Sorvali. Their latest creation thoroughly satisfies every expectation and scratches all folk metal itches, in complete blackened humpa abandonment.

Tracklist

1. Väktaren 2:48
2. Att Döda Med En Sten 3:37
3. Ormfolk 3:58
4. Gränars Väg 3:44
5. Forsen 00:04:07
6. Vid Häxans Härd 4:01
7. Myren 2:49
8. Stjärnornas Mjöd 4:08
9. Mask 3:01
10. Ylaren 5:06