By Bona Pjarren
Skáld (stylised as SKÁLD) is a French Nordic folk group formed in 2018. Their songs bear a heavy Norse influence, making use of traditional instruments, and the themes they treat are mostly centred on Scandinavian culture, especially Norse mythology and they use mostly Nordic languages, particularly Old Norse.
Let’s quote the PR blurb by way of further introduction… Far from the lands of the North, the echoes of such legends still ring out. The beliefs of those who used to populate these distant lands have been perpetuated, and despite the pressures of modern industrial society, the old folk traditions live on. It was in the countries where the people we call Vikings were to be found – Norway, Denmark, Sweden or Iceland – that the Huldufólk (“the hidden people”) remained anchored in their everyday lives and traditions. At roadsides, deep in the forests and in the heart of the mountains, elves and trolls huddled together in a discreet coexistence with humankind, melting into a strange and wonderful wilderness. And now, it’s from among those people born of a far-off imagination that the poetic, epic sounds of SKÁLD are now venturing forward.
And so to the first track: ‘Troll Kalla Mik’ or ‘They Call Me A Troll’, is a lively track in a traditional folk styling. Tribal type beats are driven by frame drums while the main melody is delivered by bowed instruments and human vocals. It is a heady mix.
‘Ljósálfur’ means ‘Light Elf’ and is a robust track that drives forward with a chant style vocal. Pipes really add an exotic element to this track. It leads on neatly from the previous song, ‘Troll Kalla Mik’. ‘Mánin Líður’ or ‘Moon Step’ has a more measured pace about it and a mystical feel to its delivery. It has a certain dreamy quality to it.
‘Ríðum, Ríðum’, ‘Let’s Ride, Ride’, storms into the piece with a pronounced rhythm that emulates the subject matter to good effect. Chanted vocals and soaring melodies really add to the overall effect. ‘Hinn Mikli Dreki’ I have no translation for apart from it has something to do with dragons or sea serpents. It is a rather pleasant ballad and has an ethereal quality to it with some rather beautiful female harmonies. The introduction of instruments help it subtly build.
‘Då Månen Sken’ means ‘As The Moon Shone’. Has some spooky earthy drones introducing a more measured contemporary folk sound that bounces along in a pleasant dance style. The plucked harp sound adds another dimension. ‘Elverhøy’ is a church in Norway and also means ‘Elf Hill’. I really like the harp work on this and it was complimented by some driving drums and rhythms. Bowed instruments also add to the overall drive and dance feel of this piece.
‘Her Mannelig’ is a Swedish folk ballad about a female mountain troll. They have kept fairly true to the original song and it is a great version with instruments and vocals intertwining to create a dreamy atmosphere. ‘Rauður Loginn Brann’ roughly translates as ‘Beautiful And Dangerous’. In the Icelandic tales of elves, the term was used as a definition between malicious elves and somewhat friendly ones. While more uptempo than the previous track it retains an otherworldly appeal and dances along merrily to an exotic tune with chanting.
‘Trollslaget’ or ‘The Spell’ introduces itself with eerie drones before launching into a robust rhythmic part. It is a very short track and feels like a conclusion to the concept part of the album. ‘Du Hast’ is, as the name suggests, a cover of the Rammstein song. It is a decent tribal rendition of a classic. ‘A Forest’ is the last track on this album and is a brooding track that conjures up the feeling of walking in a dark woodland. It is the only track in English on ‘Huldufólk’.
I have to say I really enjoyed this album as it was a very easy listen. It holds true to its Viking neofolk roots in the main, although arguably ‘A Forest’ and ‘Du Hast’ are perhaps a bit of a diversion. The first ten tracks hang together well as a concept whereas the last two feel more like add-ons or bonus tracks. If you like bands such as Wardruna then this album is for you.
- ‘Huldufólk’ is released today (Friday 20 January). You can get your copy HERE.
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