Helheim – Av Norrøn Ætt

Previously on these pages we have reviewed Helheim’s eponymous debut album Jormundgand, re-released by Darkness Shall Rise Productions. Today we are listening to the re-release of Helheim’s second album from 1997 called Av Norrøn Ætt – newly remastered and including a 25-page booklet featuring new interviews, liner notes and never seen pictures from the dark past.

Tracklist:

1. En forgangen tid

2. Vinterdøden

3. Fra Ginnunga-gap til evig tid

4. Mørk, evig vinter

5. Åpenbaringens natt

6. De eteriske åndevesenes skumringsdans

7. Av norrøn ætt

Av Norrøn Ætt basically continues where the band left off with their predecessor. All the elements present on Jormundgand are part of their sound again – only intensified and more proficient. One can say that Av Norrøn Ætt slightly edges away from the raw sound of their debut, offering a more varied and complex listening experience. Most of the seven tracks (coming in at fifty-five minutes), are long and progressive, often with multiple sections rather than simple and repetitive black metal structures. The sound on Av Norrøn Ætt sounds rather epic and majestic (when compared to their debut, Jormundgand), but at a very mature and sophisticated level.

The record is comprised of dynamic male raspy screams/growls/cleans and operatic female clean vocals. The guitars are diverse, alternating between furious tremolo picking and occassional melodic chords, in addition to numerous tempo shifts and equally impressive rhythm section. The steady and balanced drumming maintains militaristic feel throughout the opus. Bass is emitting a deep and strong tone, complementing the guitars in a nice and sophisticated manner.

Production was decent even back in 1997 when Av Norrøn Ætt got initially released, you can imagine now with improved production and remastering, the production is just perfect for this kind of a record. It’s not clean or overly polished and it’s not basement raw recording either. Thus, all the instruments and vocals are evenly matched and sound outstanding.

Av Norrøn Ætt finds the perfect middle ground with an atmosphere that is distinctly 90’s and reminiscent of the likes of Bathory, Enslaved, Kampfar, Taake and similar acts blending raw aggression of second-wave black metal while using more sophisticated folk instruments like violins, mouth-harp, horns, didgeridoos, female vocals etc. They successfully captured a ‘Nordic/Viking/Pagan’ atmosphere – featuring intense, fast-paced tracks interspersed with atmospheric folk passages and clean/operatic vocals.

To this day, Av Norrøn Ætt truly ranks among the masterpieces of Norwegian black metal, and remains band’s most ambitious work and an unique, unmatched moment in their discography. I consider Av Norrøn Ætt to be a cornerstone of Viking- & black metal and as such highly recommended to metallers regardless of genre preference, yet specifically a ‘must-have’ for fans of the genre.

For further info on this excellent and authentic re-release of this pivotal sophomore record in Viking and black metal history visit Helheim’s bandcamp, or Darkness Shall Rise where you can place your order on either Vinyl, MC or as in my case a CD.