Soknardalr Windir
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Soknardalr Review by Eduardo Rivadavia
In an almost singular case study within the annals of Scandinavian black metal, where groups require several years and albums in which to experiment, develop, and mature their sound, Sóknardalr saw Windir springing fully formed like Athena from the head of Zeus (wrong mythology, but hey, the metaphor fits!), or at least the head of enigmatic visionary, Valfar. Especially since the artist formerly known as Terje Bakken wasn't operating under the forgiving aegis of rudimentary, necro-black metal of the Venom variety; but rather coming up with a daring amalgam of metal, progressive rock, classical, and Norwegian folk music, requiring no small amount of compositional sophistication to be pulled off. Recorded in Oslo, in a mere four days, to boot, this album's surprisingly well-produced seven tracks fuse layers upon layers of keyboards and guitars on an almost unprecedented scale (mid-period Bathory being the one obvious inspirational touchstone), culminating in sweeping, mini-symphonies like "Det Som Var Haukareid" and the especially savage "Mørket Sin Fyrste," as well as awe-inspiring epics like "Sognariket Si Herskarinne" and "Likbør," whose recurring (some might say repetitive) synthesizer melodies would become signature Windir hallmarks. Vocally, Valfar also refused to limit himself to the unintelligible, strangled rasp typical of his black metal brethren (although he did employ the style often enough), taking the plunge into clean singing (and well-timed exclamatory "whoops" and "heys") with a confidence and aplomb that his masterful arrangements rightfully deserved. And, of course, as a final, unique touch, his lyrical themes were all entirely based upon local folklore, and written in his isolated home region's Saognamaol dialect, with its distinctive rolled R's. Subtract from all this the dangerous quiche factor that has made it impossible for other Scandinavian folk-metal purveyors to be taken seriously (notably the oft maligned Finntroll), and it's abundantly clear just why Windir's satisfyingly complex template would undergo only a few minor tweaks (English-sung lyrics, for example) over the course of ensuing efforts.
But when you want to get the real, only and definitive best Norwegian Black Metal band not only of the 90’s, but of all history, you have to confront yourselves with Windir, the original solo project of musician Terje Bakken with the help of collaborators and other members. 1997’s Sóknardalr is a work almost entirely recorded by him with a side drummer. The moment you get through stampedes like “Sognariket sine Krigarar” you’ll immediately recognize the Helloween/Blind Guardian stomping Power Metal rhythms that were getting popular around the same time, but also recognize several slower B-minor licks influential to Austere, Taake and Amon Amarth, and the clean vocals/string keyboard spots, mixed with the up-tempo pounding rhythms, also recall contemporary Summoning: this is particularly evident on the highlight “Likbør”.
No similar band at the time was writing melodies as convincing and Classic Metal-related like here, and tons would have plagiarized this band’s approach on later years. Though obvious nods to Burzum and Dissection must get credit for the writing of this album, Bakken had come out with something on par only with itself. The riffs sound rigid and hypnotic, due to the trebly, unbalanced sound followed by many co-national acts, and the album as a whole is something not even Graveland were able to come up with: a release that truly puts in music the northern melancholy.
Highlights: “Sognariket sine Krigarar”, “Mørket sin Fyrste”, “Likbør”, “Sóknardalr”.
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2001 CD | Soknardalr Head Not Found - 37 |
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2001 CD | Soknardalr Head Not Found - HNF 037CD |
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2004 CD | Soknardalr Phantom Import Distribution - HNF-037CD |
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2021 LP | Soknardalr Season Of Mist - SOM 602LP |
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2021 LP | Soknardalr Season Of Mist - SOM 602LPCW |
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2021 LP | Soknardalr Season of Mist - 0316021 |