Band:	Lumsk
Album:	Åsmund Frægdegjevar
Style:	Viking folk metal
Release date:	August 25, 2003
A review by:	Undercraft

01. Det Var Irlands Kongi Bold
02. Ormin Lange
03. Skip Under Lide
04. I Trollehender
05. Hår Som Spunnid Gull
06. Slepp Meg
07. Skomegyvri
08. Olafs Belti
09. I Lytinne Två
10. Langt Nord I Trollebotten
11. Fagran Fljotan Folen
12. Kampen Mot Bergetrolli
13. Der E Ingi Dag'e

I just love Folk Metal, to mix folkloric elements of a certain country or culture with Heavy Metal is a killer idea, whoever was the first band doing this, I bow before you, me, your humble servant.

Lumsk hails from Norway, and yes you're correct, they play Folk Metal, you're a smart one! Anyway, we're not dealing with you typical Folk Metal here, Lumsk have a more progressive and not-so-heavy approach to the music.
The music itself is very melodious and it have all sorts of different instruments like Violin, Cello and Flutes, the vocals are handled mainly by Vibeke Arntzen, who does a terrific job on this area.

This album is a concept album based upon an old medieval folksong, that tells the story of Ås-mund Frægdegjeva, a hero who goes on a quest to save a princess from the clutches from an evil female Ogre called Skome-gyvri.

We have a pretty good variety of tunes in this album from heavy riff-based songs like "Omir Lange" to soft and atmospheric tunes like "Hår Som Spunnid Guld" filled with flutes and violins.
"I Lyttinne Två" is a killer song that starts with a folky violin, just to be followed by some great Hammond organs and piano breaks, even some "gnomely" voices!

So we have a album that have some really heavy parts, some mellower ones and an overall great medieval feel, the whole singing is in Norwegian and this add a special something to the mystic of the music.

Lumsk is all about great playful melodies sprinkled with enchanting female vocals and served with a good portion of heaviness and a side dish of delightful folkloric elements. To any fan of Folk Metal, get this one fast, because this is a must have in your shelf .