"Baldr ok íss" CD by Helrunar

by Björn Thorsten Jaschinski (25.09.2007) The high flyers of German Pagan/Black Metal are back with the third album – at least if I count the self-produced wonder-debut "Gratr" limited to 500 copies, too, which is legitimate because its songs have never been used again, yet. The critique in the sound of "Frostnacht" is history with the recordings in the Klangschmiede Studio. The two parts of the name, "Schwarzer Frost" perfectly define whcih elements are most prominent here. The thilling acoustic instrumental, "Winter" and "Glamr" – similarly like "Raune mit der Tiefe" – interrupted by fragile passages, can't hide that "Baldr ok iss" is a tremendous storm, too. A destructive maelstrom that has a lot in common with the foggy powers of Enslaved's referential "Frost" album. Dionyso's guitars are equally cutting and the blasting drums in the raging chaos are the big bang. The majesty of the folk-like choirs in the thick "Hunta and boga" and the calm "Til jardar" contrast the uncontrollability of the first half of the album.