Band:	Thyrfing
Album:	Farsotstider
Style:	Viking black metal
Release date:	November 21, 2005
Guest review by:	Mindheist

01. Far Åt Helvete
02. Jag Spår Fördärv
03. Farsotstider
04. Höst
05. Själavrak
06. Elddagjämning
07. Baldersbålet
08. Tiden Läker Intet
09. Järnvidjors Dans [Japanese bonus]

Swedish Viking metal outfit Thyrfing are back, stronger than ever. After three years of sudden absence they hit the scene with their fifth album "Farsotstider." However, the most anticipated release of that year wasn't so agonizing, as we already found the previous release "Vansinnesvisor" to be great. This full-length shows only that the band has matured and are ready for creating. Thankfully, it was as "Vansinnesvisor" but just more massive. Most of you will not like it so much at the first listen; you have to listen to it more than once to truly start appreciating it.

From the beginning, the Viking metal has been a kind of extreme folk black metal with typical melodies. In that one I discovered these characters and as I said about this album, it's some kind of continuity of "Vansinnesvisor." Acoustic parts, a furious spectrum of tempos and roaring can be found as well as heavy guitar riffs and double bass drumming. Technically, everything awakens memories, strong keyboards, swift rhythm and stunning brilliant atmosphere. The production is slightly better than the previous full-length - even rawer (maybe because of the very aggressive voice of Thomas Väänänen ) but it's still acceptable.

The album starts with "Far At Helvete," an awesome song which features such a wonderful scream that I was completely transported and astonished at how Thomas's voice is able to push. The second "Jag Spår Fördärv " and the self titled track "Farsotstider" are both well done (high fast rhythm).

The remaining tracks continue to offer us a quite authentic spectacle, driving chorus sometimes countered by aggressive passages, it's beautiful, it's amazing, it's varied, it's Viking metal at its best!

Overall, "Farsotstider" is one of the finest releases in the Swedish Viking metal scene; a masterpiece that was certainly worth the three year wait. Special thank to Thyrfing, for completing their fifth album with such motivation.