Album review : BROTHERS OF METAL – Fimbulvinter

AFM Records [Release date : 01.11.24]

Fimbulvinter (the great winter) is the third album from Swedish eight man band, Brothers Of Metal, arriving hot on the heels of the very well received Emblas Saga.

The Nordic countries have their own, unique cultural history. This includes a significant element of Viking tradition, which in Nordic society, meant women play a leading role.

No surprise then that BOM’s lead vocalist is female, Ylva Eriksson, who also writes the songs, with guitarist Dawid Grahn. Her powerful, distinctive vocals lead the charge on opener, ‘Sowilo’ (the “Runes” in Nordic mythology), a majestic metal anthem.

The next ten tracks weave familiar melodic elements through folk legends and grim reality in a way that’s surprisingly compelling.

Tales of love, heartbreak and the power of the Norse gods sit well with the band’s stylised metal, and clean / whispered, growling vocals. Sometimes challenging (Giant Slayer, Heart Of Stone), other times showing a lighter touch (Flight Of Ravens, Blood Red Sky).

But it’s the songs that bridge between those two styles that make the album. ‘Rivers Of Gold’ is kicked off by two sweetly chiming acoustic guitars, developing quickly into a metalised drinking song. A drinking song in a tavern full of wonderful singers. A drinking song that’s actually a soaring love song, punctuated by a table thumping chorus. It’s certainly different and it works a treat.

Second, ‘Ratatos’ (an anthropormorphic creature in Norse mythology) has the same marching meter as others, but it’s lighter on its feet, like an operetta merged with a heavy metal stage musical. Eminently tuneful, and all the time rising to reach a rousing, joyful, long winded chorus.

Fimbulvator is one giant leap from the Emblas Saga.

Third album in, this band has truly found its feet. ***1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)