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

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)