“I’ve reviewed several albums by Sweden’s Ereb Altor, all approvingly. They even captured my Song o’ the Year for 2015 with the mighty “Nattramm.” Whenever I discuss their style, I’m forced to compare them to Viking-era Bathory because that’s clearly their chief influence and they do nothing to hide it. With that in mind, I wasn’t surprised to hear they were doing an entire album of Bathory covers to honor the late, great Quorthon.” Raise the Tribute Hammer.
“Ereb Altor, the other project by the men behind Isole, are back to wage the next phase of the battle for my favoritism. I enjoy both acts and it seems with each new release my loyalty shifts, with Isole’s recent The Calm Hunter putting me back in their camp, at least temporarily. Is it moving day again? I feel so temporary.
“What’s with all these “calm” themed titles lately. We had The Calm Hatchery a few weeks back and now this. For whatever reason I always read them as “clam,” which results in unintended hilarity. I mean, who hunts a freaking clam, right? They’re mollusks and just lay around waiting to be harvested. I live on an island so I know of what I speak. Anyway, this band is made up of the same guys that bring you the excellently blackened Viking metal of Ereb Altor. Isole is their traditional doom project, though it also has more than a little epic Vikingness running through its cold Norse veins.” Does your holiday wish list include melodic doom? If so, shove this in your stocking, chug some yule ale and get in the spirit.
“Formed from the ashes of the highly underrated and (AMG worshipped) Viking metal act Mithotyn, King of Asgard has more or less continued the mission statement of releasing odes to the northern winds, Viking valor and snowy landscapes, all heavily influenced by latter period Bathory as well as Einherjer, Ensiferum. Karg is their third such endeavor and it observes the traditions of its ancestors with all due reverence, while moving things in a darker, more stripped down direction.” Do you feel the need to plunder and pillage? If so, here’s your liege lord.
For those of you unaware, July is always the slowest month for releases. This has to do with the fact that major labels basically shut down for the festival season, releasing live records and DVDs, but rarely new albums. In fact, I suspect that only shitty records get released during this period by most record labels; though that is entirely speculation. In any case, July tends to be a bit of a weak month and 2013 is a weak year, so that doesn’t say a lot for any possible Record o’ the Month right now. Still, that might be a bit misleading, as we had a few records that came out in July that were worth your time. One in particular blew away the competition…
“With little or no fanfare, the trolls of Viking/doom/folk/black metal known as Ereb Altor storm back from the frozen wastes with their hybrid sound and more tales from Norse mythology. Though they began life as an epic-sized, Viking metal act with a strong doom influence (check out By Honour because it’s badass!), they added more and more black metal over time, culminating with 2012s Gastrike opus. As before, they worship the sound and mood of Bathory’s Hammerheart opus (and to a lesser extent Twilight of the Gods) while also incorporating early Darkthrone influences and doom stylings similar to While Heaven Wept.” A fusion of Viking, black and doom metal pretty much sells itself, but Steel Druhm still showed up to grab a paycheck and examine the heady brew that Ereb Altor cooked up. Tastes like…wictory.
It’s the holiday season and Steel Druhm is here with the gift of “best of” lists! This time it’s the best songs of 2012. There’s some great stuff here so reflect on the year, fill yourself with holiday cheer and let the tunes kick you in the rear. Pat. Pending.
King of Asgard is back for another flogging. But this time, they showed up with their butt kicking armor on.
Is it that time already? Kinda! Steel Druhm gives his picks for “Best in Show” so far for 2012. Send all criticisms to [email protected].
Ereb Altor is still struggling with Bathory obsession but this is a big changeup, right from their little Hammer Hearts.
