Review EINHERJER “Lifeblood”

Haugesund is a small city located almost halfway between Stavanger and Bergen. The city is also home to the Norwegian Viking metal band Einherjer, who were founded in 1993. Since then, the band has released nine studio albums, with a longer gap in the early 2000s when the band disbanded for four years.

Since their return in 2008, Einherjer have been rather productive, and their latest studio album, “Lifeblood”, opens a new chapter. The driving forces behind the quartet are Gerhard Storesund and Frode Giesnes, while Ole Sønstabø and Tom Enge complete the line-up.

Einherjer’s songs are more than just battle hymns. The band considers history, roots and heritage to be part of their lyrical approach. They focus on the bigger picture beyond modern life. It’s about things that still impact us, rooted in nature and instincts that have evolved over centuries.

Songs such as “Malstrøm” reflect this approach. It is a moderate-paced anthemic tune on the album. A hypnotising element woven into the song is accompanied by a blistering guitar solo and repetitions. This provides an atmospheric and mesmerising vibe, and one can almost feel the power of the endlessly swirling maelstrom.

Then there is “Saltworm Runes” – a heavy, untamed song. It is as if you are listening to the churning sea along the Norwegian coastline, with its blustering waves and relentless winds. In contrast, the cinematic “Dei Sår Arr” is a more subdued piece. The acoustic start and the haunting melodies are key elements of this expressive anthem.

“The Eternal North” is the grand finale of the album, and a real highlight. Einherjer sum up their latest offering with a nine-minute epic that has it all. Big soundscapes, a throbbing beat and captivating passages are a treat for the ears. It feels like listening to a splendid summary of the album.

“Lifeblood” is an album that reveals more with each listen. It is the details that you slowly explore. “Lifeblood” doesn’t reveal all its secrets the first time you listen to it. It is a lasting musical experience, with something new to discover each time you listen to it.