Summing up the 2013...

Here's my very subjective list containing my favourite albums of the last year. Those albums are really great in my opinion - I'm sure I will be enjoying them for many, many years!
By the way - I'm sure that there are propably still some great albums that I haven't listen to, but as for this moment my favs are:

Caladan Brood

'Echeos of Battle'

A very cool debut. Caladan Brood is hailing from States and playing epic/atmospheric black metal. Fans of old Summoning and epicness in music in general - this music is made particulary for You!

Read a review here (by the way - it is my first review ever done. Please be understanding).

You can also read an interview with a band here.

Carpe Noctem 

'In Terra Profugus'

Another great debut album. Carpe Noctem, an icelandic black metal band, had recorded an insane music. Pure insanity in a form of sonic landscape... Fans of extremity should appreciate much this release.

Read a review here and the interview with a band here.

 

Darkthrone

'The Underground Resistance'

Well, this band doesn't need any introduction, does it? In my opinion 'The Underground Resistance' is another good move in Darkthrone's 'career'. A very good example how the passion can e forged into a great songs.

There is no review yet - it's a bit embarrasing, but I started to listen to this album very late. Yet you can expect some of my thoughts about it soon!

Falkenbach

'Asa'

Many people were complaining that Vatyas has again recorded the same music. But since I am a great fan of Falkenbach, I must say that I feel perfectly OK with that. 'Asa' is a great album that I will be surely torturing for a very long time!

Read a review here.

Rotting Christ

'Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού'

Generally speaking there are two types of Rotting Christ fans - those who are spitting on the new albums and keep being kvlt and trve, and those who enjoy new stuff anyway. I defenitely belong to the latter category. In my opinion Greeks recorded great album, much better than a bit boring 'Aealo'.

Read my review here.

Summoning

'Old Mornings Dawn'

Yeah, I know that many fans are complaining about new Summoning releases. 'Too modern they are' - say ones. 'Too sweet it is' - say others. Personally I don't care. Beside a terrible intro I worship this album - and I return to it veeery often. One of the most important albums of 2013 for me.

Read my review here and the interview with whole band here.

The Flight of Sleipnir

'Saga'

Those Americans know how to create an awesome mix of doom/stoner/viking metal with some acoustic motifs. A very original piece of music, sadly I have a feeling that it's at the same time very underrated.

My review is here.

You can also read what the band have to say about their work - here. 

Daemonia Nymphe

'Psychostasia'

And now some of neofolk albums that I was enjoying in last year. 'Psychostasia' is a first of them. It's onirique, ethereal atmosphere and the lyrics based on old, greek hymns hailing ancient gods creates a fantastic music. Everyone who had never heard it - it's time to correct this mistake!

Read a review here.

Wardruna

'Runaljod - Yggdrassil'

And last but not least - Wardruna. Everybody who had heard this album knows how fantastic it is. A norse folklore, runes and shamanistic rituals - that are the key-words. 'Yggdrasil' is a great, spiritual journey through the meaning of norse runes deep into your soul (how poetic I am by the way).

Read my review here.

Wardruna - "Runaljod - Yggdrasil" (2013)

Wardruna

"Runaljod - Yggdrasil"

Indie Recs.

2013

It's the second album of the folk/ambient project (or now a band) Wardruna. Who is playing here propably everybody interested know, so I will skip the introduction.

"Yggdrasil" brings us another portion of the old futhark runes' interpretation, dressed in mystical music.Musicians use only couple of traditional norwegian instruments (like a drum, flute, fiddle, horn). Most of tracks are very spacious like e.g. the track that I am listenning now - "NaudiR". It bases on the work of rhythmic, monotonous drumbeats, some changing instruments and singing choirs, which sometimes are transformed into a croon or howling. Of course a label "ambient" is not just an empty word - there are many silent whispers and other "disturbing" sounds hidden in the background. Effect? When you close your eyes the music simply takes you into the other, more spiritual world. 

Every track is of course different - there are more "shamanistic" songs (like "IngwaR"), or more folkish ("Rotlaust tre fell"). Here and there you can hear ("of course" once again) that authors of this artwork were influenced by others. Example? Here you are - some parts of two last songs sounds a bit like a creativeness of Mari Boine. But to be honest all this comparisons and descriptions of every single song is just pointless. The energy and emotions that this music brings to a listener is just indescribable. I can write about every single song, it's nuances and such a whole thesis, but it still won't describe you how fantastic is this music. There is no other way, but to experience the power of this release by your own.

It's good for Kvitrafn that he started creating something way more original than just another Gorgoroth releases. New Wardruna's longplay is a pure masterpiece, an album to which I will be returning very often. I am more than sure about this - it has my highest recommendation!

Rate: 10/10

Vladyka

Tracklist:

1. Rotlaust tre fell

2. Fehu

3. NaudiR

4. EhwaR

5. AnsuR

6. IwaR

7. IngwaR

8. Gibu

9. Solringen

10. Sowelu

11. Helvegen