Is there anything more metal in life than viking metal? Possibly not, and whilst their Nordic friends are busy churches and scowling in the corner, this lot are upfront with flagons of ale, big battle axes (or guitars), and singing about Odin. Let’s face it, how the fuck could you not like it? Well, as with all metal scenes there is good and bad and viking metal can be a little derivative but when done well, as in the case of Månegarm, you can actually feel the music in your lifeblood.
Pioneers and veterans of the scene, new album Edsvuren is everything you expect to hear from a band devoted to bringing to life the old takes of vikings. Myths and legends form the basis of the songs here, with the music being perfectly evocative of a mead fuelled party. There are moments of full-on battle music, mixed with folk songs played on traditional Nordic instruments. This mix gives the album an almost otherworldy feel, and notice must be made that where folk-metal can often be a bit lumpen, here is feels so natural that the album simply flows beautifully.
Moving from the full-on blast of ‘Logrinns Varn’, to folk tracks such as ‘Till gudars folje’, the album is wonderfully paced, with the additional vocals from Ellinor Videfors providing the perfect counterbalance to all the male action ongoing. Musically, shades of black metal integrate seamlessly on tracks such as ‘En nidings dad’ where its blast beats play behind a triumphant metal foreground. Heaviness of rhythm with a lightness of melody and touch. It’s certainly very powerful.
If you only though that viking metal could be Amon Amarth (who have their moments), then you would do well to listen to Månegarm. This reviewer came to the band blind and was taken away by how good this genre of music could actually be. For newcomers it will make you want to explore further, and for those who are already in on the secret, they will nod sagely, raise their mead, and say welcome to our world. Who knew that Viking metal had the capacity to be so powerful and moving.
(Note: this album was originally released in August 2025. This is the deluxe edition featuring additional tracks, including a fantastic cover of Iron Maiden’s ‘Flight of Icarus’)
