Vansinnesvisor (Hammerheart~2002)
Translated into English, Vansinnesvisor means "songs of madness". This is my first exposure to the Swedish band often described as playing "epic viking metal". Iīve found a few articles indicating this release is a bit of a departure for Thyrfing, with the band taking a darker, heavier approach. I canīt speak for how it relates to previous works, but as its own entity, this is an awesome album. The band brilliantly constructs music that combines aggression and intensity with an old-time atmosphere. Vocals are sometimes harsh and angry, sometimes a bit more melodic. Guitars and drums propel the music along nicely, while keyboards are thrown in at times to spice things up without turning it into a sappy mess.