Skálmöld – ‘Ýdalir’ (2023)
Rating: 8.5/10
Release: 18 August 2023
Label: Napalm Records
The Icelanders Skálmöld are back with “Ýdalir“, released after five years. In this album the sextet was inspired by old Icelanders, such as the poem “Grímnismál“, adapting them in a way never heard before. In “Ýdalir“, moreover, they manage to sound more mature and mystical than before without losing that funny imprint that distinguishes them.
The album starts with “Ýr“, an acoustic song with acoustic guitar and organs representing calm before the storm. The storm breaks out with “Ýdalir“, the title track that features hypnotic electric guitar rhythms and galloping drum sounds that build a solid foundation for a dark and menacing growl, which characterizes most of the nine tracks. One song that stands out is the second single p from “Verðandi“, where in the first half of the song is dominated by some heavier folk and death metal elements, the strong growl vibrations subside with the sound of the ocean and the fragile organ melodies. The song also features catchy guitar and oboe details, making it a chant-like song. In “Ratatoskur“, the first single extracted from the album, there is an alternation between clean vocals and a strident growl, a breathtaking guitar solo and a mosh pit rhythm track. “Skuld” is a song that has mysticism in it, being based on one of the three sisters (Urðr and Verðandi are the other two) who in Norse mythology decides the fate of the people sitting at the feet of Yggdrasill. In Völuspá, Gylfaginning and Nafnaþulur she is represented as one of the Fighting Valkyries. This mystical mood is represented by the tenor vocals in clean, mood that is broken with a fast guitar solo and underlined by disturbing bass lines. “Ullur“, the last track of “Ýdalir” is the longest of the album with its 10:59 minutes. This song turns out to be a magnificent track that invites the listener on a colorful journey in melodic-folk metal. Accompanied by a crackling fire, the lyrics echo some of the Norse poetic forms and create a magnificent interplay of oboe and keyboard elements, while the captivating guitar riff rises dramatically with the most disturbing harmonies, providing an epic and cinematic ending.
With “Ýdalir“, the Icelandic sextet showcases a blend of ancient and modernized cultural heritage, and connects precious sagas with various elements of black metal while folk metal melodies give them an enigmatic touch. With this album Skálmöld is confirmed as one of the best bands in the viking folk metal scene, with a more mature and mystic sound than before.
Tracklist
- Ýr 01:33
- Ýdalir 05:06
- Urður 04:26
- Ratatoskur 04:29 Show lyrics
- Verðandi 06:09
- Veðurfölnir 04:21
- Skuld 04:02
- Níðhöggur 05:03
- Ullur 10:59