SigartyrA new name to me despite this being the fourth full length from Daemonskald, the one man army behind this and, if you didn’t know better you’d be betting this was Norwegian initially. ‘Helluland’ the first track has rasped and howled vocals very reminiscent of Varg in the earlier Burzum days, a riding rolling style to the riff and the melody that brings Immortal easily to mind, a sharp chill edge. Canadian apparently. Which considering this album has the theme of the Viking discovery of the Americas, or ‘Vinland’, seems actually entirely appropriate. Erik ‘The Red’ Thorvaldsson, and his son Leifur Eriksson the prime explorers here (Erik The Red’s father Thorvald Asvaldsson being the one credited with the settlement of Iceland, Erik founding Greenland and Leif landing in what is now possibly Newfoundland in Canada.) Excellent heavy metal territory, in fact.

There is very much a melodic, classic heavy metal style to the album as things unfold with clean lead breaks that noodle nicely along and the melodic theme followed through the songs. We get nicely defined acoustic interludes, a sense of exploration in the travel of the riffs and an almost commentary style that reminds me in places of Forefather. It is all very deftly put together and played and has a nice easy production too. It is all genuinely very pleasant to listen to.

I think the problem I personally have here is that whilst I can very happily listen to it all, even clocking in just under the hour in length, and can marvel at the musicality on offer, the hooks just never entirely sink in deep enough to hold me fast to the tiller. There is a uniformity of sound which causes my mind to drift after a while, a feeling that whilst I am travelling with the protagonists I never quite reach the destination with them. Somehow despite all this easy confident style and the accessible nature of the music it never entirely begins to pull out the emotional attachment from me although it is there in b the delivery. The connection doesn’t quite last. There is just no arrival for me, more just a journey which leaves me somewhat out at sea. There are no real musical storms to rouse me either.

There is nothing wrong here, no major missteps or lacking in ability. Just simply this time around despite the concept, the songs fail to hold me enough I guess. Sorry.

6.5/10 Gizmo

https://facebook.com/pages/SIGARTYR/116053061747347