01. Rock The Harem
02. Holy Mushroom
03. Deep
04. Spirits
05. The 13th Warrior
06. The Blacksmith
07. Watery Grave
08. Birth Of A Succubus
09. Sailing South
10. Happy Drunk Friend
11. The 13th Warrior [Symphonic version]
12. Molly's Tavern [Japanese bonus]

Personae is the second full-length release by Niflheim. Words cannot describe the cold hell of an atmosphere created by this extreme black metal act from Norway... Kidding... Despite their grim and kvlt sounding name Niflheim are actually a female-fronted folk metal band from France. This album here is indeed their second one after a demo and a full-length album called Lost in Broceliande and Once Upon a Cow, respectively. Rather grim sounding titles indeed.

This particular album has an instrumental side based on traditional rural European folk melodies characterised by frequent use of fiddle. All of it is backed up by decent melodic metal guitar riffs and drumming. One may imagine this as a pizza with a thick and soft metal dough covered by an equally thick and juicy folk sauce. Resemblances to other "romantic" folk metal bands such as Elvenking and Wuthering Heights can be detected. Similarities with the latter suggest hints of progressive metal although calling Niflheim's Personae an example of that genre would be an exaggeration, at least for now.

A difference between Niflheim and the other two folk bands is surely the vocal side as this band has Aurore Gautheur as a charming front lady who does a good job with her deep and strong voice and occasional classical singing as heard in the song "Holy Mushroom" for instance. One may at some point have the impression of listening to a female-fronted version of Wuthering Heights. Those who dislike bands that belong to the "beauty and the beast" or "operatic" category have nothing to fear here because Aurore is a strong female vocalist who manages to defy those genres.

The album's first half contains good and promising songs such as "Rock The Harem", "Holy Mushroom" and "The 13th Warrior", a song based on the plot of the eponymous film with an interlude that strongly resembles the Jewish folk hit "Hava Nagila". The second half of the album somewhat fails to maintain the same catchy characteristics, briefly picking up the tempo again with the song "Sailing South". The Japanese bonus track "Molly's Tavern" brings the catchy folk metal flame to life again and closes the album with power.

Those who love some folk tunes to give some spark to the worries of their days may surely consider this release a treat.

Performance:	9
Songwriting:	7
Originality:	8
Production:	8