Stormfagel - _Ett Berg Av Fasa_
(Cold Meat Industry, 2007)
by: Quentin Kalis (8.5 out of 10)
It's great when a band actually possesses its own distinctive and unique voice, but even better when that voice results in something worth listening to. Not that Stormfagel's debut _Den Nalkende Stormen_ was horrible, as their unique mix of martial industrial, neofolk and neoclassical imbued with an ethereal air has provided more than a few listens ever since I heard it.

The basic template has been retained for this, their sophomore full-length, but has been refined to provide a stronger album. I receive the impression that Stormfagel are much more comfortable with the niche they inhabit, and in this respect they are not dissimilar to labelmates Rome -- who also released his second full-length this year, which also contained a refined version of his signature sound.

The only deviation from this motif is the album closer, which sounds like a rendition of a traditional folk song, composed entirely of a lazily strummed guitar accompanied by rather droning vocals. I imagine it conceptually fits in the album's atavistic leanings, but against the album as a whole it stands out as prominently as Jordan in a Wonderbra.

Some things stay the same -- they still have a liking for pseudo-aged sepia toned photos, and the Hungarian warbler still has a tendency to fall out of tune! A quibble that is easily overlooked against the majestic yet dreamy musical backdrop.

Contact: http://www.stormfagel.com

(article published 24/8/2007)


ALBUMS
1/30/2006 Q Kalis 8.5 Stormfagel - Den Nalkande Stormen
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