I admit being very critical towards one-man projects, as many of these proved incomplete and unfinished, with a few exceptions of course. So, my initial thought on this relatively new project named Hrafnblóð, was equally critical and cynical and I had very few expectations.

Hrafnblóð showed to be a one-man project from Telford (United Kingdom) with a heathen theme. His (Gareth) music has been described as ‘blackened death metal’ and it quite fits what I hear on this nine-tracker album Heathen Psalms. As its title might suggest, Heathen Psalms as a whole is a celebration of heathen times and spirits of (in) humanity and bravery. It comes as the follow-up to 2011 EP The Quintessence Of Man. It is also the first full-length album from Hrafnblóð and I hope not the last one. The overall sound is angry, dirty and filthy.

The album kicks-of with this usual nice and eerie intro titled “Admonition”, which serves as a nice introduction to this project. Soon after it changes both the pace and mood by launching this angrier follow-up track “Inhumanity of the Human Race” having this deathly riff and screaming vocals. I esp. enjoyed the vocals in this one, while drums sound a bit annoying, repetitive and programmed. Heathen Psalms continues with another sharp song “Ashes of Tyranny”, where the biggest strength again is the vocals and biggest con drumming.

“Last Of a Dying Breed” and “The Spirit of Fyrnsidu” are the two following tracks, and both happened to be my favourites, although for different reasons. “Last Of a Dying Breed” is even edgier and angrier than its predecessors, having this deathcore riffing accompanied by a slightly better drum work. “The Spirit of Fyrnsidu” has this Primordial touch to it and varies in both tempo and musical direction, which makes it quite diverse and highly listenable.

“Skeletal Skies” delivers this almost funeral and gothic like atmosphere where things are slowed down and one can enjoy the atmosphere and instruments. The best thing about this album is the amount of variation and tempo shifts, maybe best exemplified in the next song, “Tears for the Einherjar”. It has some acoustic parts, bizarre sounds produced on guitars and harmonica. “Heremæcg Galdr” therefore comes as a natural and placed perfectly before the album closer “Possessed”. It may not be the most beautiful and positive album closer, but artistically it reaches heights with the atmosphere of desolation and depression and sinister guitar sounds.

The production is a little off in places and too low in a mix, but again it suits perfectly this depressive and misanthropic Danish summer. Thus, if you’re into depressive, intense, atmospheric and disturbing black and death metal piece of music, I can highly recommend Heathen Psalms. Esp. fans of Marduk, Primordial, and similar blacked death metal acts will find it enjoyable.

For more info go to: http://soundcloud.com/hrafnblod


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