Ereb Altor - Ulfven (EN)

Gosh! This is Ereb Altor who release their seventh studio album in the end of June. It has the title "Ulven" and this means "Wolf" in English. I was curious whether a wild animal was really unleashed in a musical way. The cover artwork is designed in black and grey shades with white font and it shows a symbolic wolf in the middle.

The album begins with the prophecy of the sibyl ("Völuspá"). A female voice declares the words in the national language supported by an atmospheric melody. Already in the first two minutes it stirs up curiosity just before the real music sets off.

All instruments start together. It is a promising prelude with great biased and low tuned guitars that fire through the speakers while the attack of double bass is hammering with the rest of the drums. Immediately after the voice starts, it reminds me of a mix of Tyr and Falkenbach. Clean vocals sound full of ardour and power but still change frequently to the classical Black Metal nagging. They also use a kind of choral singing in some moments. The two vocalists, Mats and Ragnar, do a heck of a job.
The lyrics are partly in Swedish, partly in English language.

They create an emotional "deepness" in the songs as it is known of Primordial for example. The songs are still powerful and smash one's face in despite of the certain severity. Plain and simple, the guitars hold the upper hand in case of lead of melody and solos, therefore the keyboards, which are used permanently, are not annoying. The guitars are clearly audible in the interim phases as a result.

"The Rite Of Kraka" is really biting. Here they celebrate more than clear Black Metal parts. Unfortunately, I can only listen to the regular release. The deluxe edition has three songs more. Thankfully the album has no off-time as the hymn-like composition creates variety and versatility in all songs.

Conclusion:
A real hammer (of Thor) will fall with "Ulven" onto the audience. Epical, atmospheric and all together adamantine Viking Metal fires through the speakers. The guys offer a mixture of various styles that can also be fucking extreme on this album. Indeed, the Swedish unleashe a wolf in a musical way with this album. One, who can imagine a fusion of Falkenbach, Bathory and Primoridal with Black Metal parts, should grab it immediately.

Rating: 9/10

Recommendations: Everything