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More like an experiment then traditional Kampfar.-
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| Kampfar: Mare |
Pagan Black Metal
Napalm Records
April 5th, 2011
- Mare - 6:24
- Ildstemmer - 5:05
- Huldreland - 5:19
- Bergtatt - 5:28
- Trolldomspakt - 5:41
- Volvevers - 3:28
- Blitzwitch - 6:16
- Nattgang - 5:11
- Altergang - 2:28
- Bergtatt (in D Major) (Bonus Track) - 5:28
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| Review Information |
Release length: 50:48
Review posted on April 6th, 2011
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| | Overall Score: 7/10 |
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| Discography |
Discography covers all information available up to day of review and is updated if future albums are reviewed. |
| Full-Length(s): |
Mellom Skogkledde Aaser (1997) | Fra Underverdenen (1999) | Kvass (2006) | Heimgang (2008) | Mare (2011)
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| EP(s): |
Kampfar (1995) | Norse (1998)
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| Demo(s): |
Promo (1995)
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| Review |
Kampfar has existed for quite some time now, though the amount of releases from the group may not show it. The band formed in Norway back in 1994, and issued their debut recording, Mellom Skogkledde Aaser in 1997, then with Fra Underverdenen in 1999. The group seemed to have disappeared after that, finding a new home with Napalm Records for their third full-length, Kvass, released several years later. Since then, it's felt like the band has been pushing to make up for lost time, though moving at a pace that seems to be suiting them well given the positive reaction from fans of Black Metal throughout the globe. Mare marks the band's fifth full-length effort, and their fifth enjoyable, yet this time somewhat lacking release.
The band has always been known for creating a somewhat Classical or Folk influence for the recordings, while staying true with a standard Black Metal foundation. However, with Mare, the band really seems to be putting a stronger fixation on the Classical and Folk elements of the music then before. While this doesn't necessarily overwhelm the album, it doesn't do much to make the album stand out more then the band's previous releases did. In fact, the level that the Folk elements are at in here feel a little gimmick-driven in the vein of Finntroll, just sans the humpah influence. "Ildstemmer" really showcases this issue with it's more Classical opening that sounds really nice against the music, but there are plenty of Folk-heavy bridges that feel out of place on the song compared to some of the other tracks.
One of the biggest issues with this release, however, is the lack of an atmosphere. It's hard to depict what the band was going for at times. While it's nice to have a blend of these three major styles of music (Classical, Black Metal and Folk Metal), the songs often feel hollow thanks to a lack of solid atmosphere. "Huldreland" is a good song, but the music feels weak and confusing, as if it is trying to find itself and whether or not it should sound a little more upbeat with the atmosphere, or grim and cold. But, this doesn't mean the songs are bad. For what they are, many of the tracks on here are still quite enjoyable. "Mare" is a strong starting track that really hits the listener with the Kampfar one would expect given their track record lately, being a solid song without really overdoing the classical or folk elements, but having a stronger Black Metal sound that actually has a bit of a cold atmosphere to it, though not as strong as some may hope.
On top of the title track, "Bergtatt" is a strong track that manages to nicely blend the more Folk influenced approach of the band with some solid atmospheric Black Metal. The track takes on a somewhat more aggressive vibe to it then other tracks, but for the most part is just a faster paced Black Metal track that feels like it's meant to have some kind of poisonous bite to it, but the venom seems to not be quite as potent as you might expect given that slight aggressive atmosphere. The closing track "Altergang" also has an aggressive atmosphere to it, but it doesn't really come to life until near the end of the track, where you'll find the double bass pounding with faster guitars and a more energetic vocal performance as well for a very brief amount of time. You also have "Blitzwitch", which has more of a Classical feel to it, blended nicely with the guitars to create a somewhat epic-sounding track that's far from bad, but doesn't really feel like it's as epic as it could have been. The track feels very haunting, more reflective and mournful then anything, and just really becomes one of the stronger tracks off Mare.
All in all, the album isn't necessarily a bad release, but it feels the band is trying to experiment a little bit here, and in the end it winds up hurting the album in places where the band was once strong. The atmosphere of the album is reduced, while some song have little to none. You also have an influx on the band's other musical inputs outside of Black Metal, that being Classical music and even Folk Music. While sometimes this works out to a song's benefit, it feels pretty rare, and in the end leads to the songs to start sounding similar, and just keep throwing you varying moments of shock and confusion, wondering where the change in music at that point came from, and if it's going to go anywhere special. Mare has potential, but it seems to go unrecognized, and comes off more inspired by many estalished Folk bands, metal or not. If you're a fan of Kampfar, or of Black Metal general, chances are good you'll like it for what it is. If not, it's still worth checking out, but don't expect one of the most impressive releases of the style.
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Digital review copy of this release provided by:
Napalm Records.
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