Band:	Thyrfing
Album:	De Ödeslösa
Style:	Viking black metal
Release date:	March 2013

01. Mot Helgrind
02. Fordom
03. Veners Förfall
04. Illvilja
05. Kamp
06. Relik
07. Vindöga
08. De Ödeslösa

Suppose for a moment you find yourself on a Viking vessel. As black as coal De Ödeslösa, or "The Fateless", is its name and the sails are set to cross the wintery Scandinavian waters. It's to business as usual as the men aboard have their minds fixed on one thing; the forthcoming voyage over potentially hostile seas. With determination the ship casts off under a particularly unpromising skyline, the clouds heavy with the onset of a storm. What's odd about this picture is that a number of the crew are adorned in black tailcoats and armed not with swords or axes but orchestral instruments and a conductor's baton.

Such is the sound of Thyrfing, that viking black with a characteristic orchestral centrepiece created purely by synthesiser. The new vessel for their sound, De Ödeslösa is indeed business as usual, nothing out of the ordinary for the band and is something tried and true. Whatever fate may befall it is irrelevant as "The Fateless" carries on without hesitation at the oncoming storm, which likely signals the inevitable claims of the avoidance of venturing into new waters but taking that same and safest of routes. However, sticking to what is familiar doesn't necessarily mean that things can't get interesting.

Much of the album is carried forth on the winds of keyboard bravado closely aligned with the guitars which give the required edge to a persistent rhythmic gale. The guitar work is so central they often serve to carry the beat through tracks like the exceptionally bass thriving "Kamp", the drums granted flexibility as they move to a rapid pace across the mid-tempo environment. "Relik" literally hums as the drums, guitars and the backing vocal delivery align deeply within the mix.

The lead vocals can pierce in a high-pitched shriek or grate with a blackened growl. The aforementioned "Kamp" introduces some cleans with a terrific folk vibe as the infectious beat is established. These cleans are also layered into the background at various points, such as in "Fordom" with its emphasis on a bridging orchestral flow.

The song writing is strong and a consistency is maintained yet it isn't as adventurous as you would hope of a style befitting a Viking. Yet, in reality I'm sure many Vikings experienced voyages much like this one; not as remarkable as those which brought them unprecedented wealth from pillage but it got them from point A to point B without mishaps. It's albums like De Ödeslösa which are essential for the continuing good health of a style.