Date: 2020
Total time: 46:53
Label: Relapse Records

The Multi-talented Amalie Bruun from Denmark, with her well-known project called MYRKUR, has released two more full length albums, “M” and “Mareridt”. Both of them had heavy Folk influences, but Folk usually went hand in hand with the Black Metal spots on the record, both in music and vocals.

   Here, we do not come across Black Metal music, as Amalie has removed any Black Metal elements from the past and produces something different. This may surprise or even alienate some of her earlier fans. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t expect it, as the Folk elements have always been strong in her music and this development comes naturally. In addition, her previous efforts can be paralleled with Winterfell in the icy North, which is why she was given the “Dark Folk / Black Metal” label. Here, the wild Norwegian winter is left behind, together with Winter’s aggression and darkness of the previous records. As we listen more to “Folkesange”, we feel the gentle spring Sun rays hitting our face. As the cover shows, from the beginning till the end of the album, a spring early Scandinavian morning comes to mind (or maybe in the Alps), and with it we feel the euphoria and exaltation of this season. Nature blooms, nature celebrates.

   Simple, minimalistic, chilling, romantic, mysterious, but at the same time bright, optimistic, nature-loving, enchanting, trippy, melancholic. Amalie is playing the Nyckelharpa (traditional Swedish instrument from the Viking era), the lyre, the mandole, and she is practicing kulnig (traditional Swedish / Norwegian sound made by farmers to shout their flock, as she says). She is creating golden sounds, beautiful melodies and weaves Folk songs on her loom, while singing about tradition and the ancient Viking Gods.

   Variety. Even a folk ballad, which pays tribute to 60s / 70s rock and will strongly remind you of Styx / Bob Dylan. The whole adventure in this countryside makes you have flashbacks in the life of the ancient Northern European civilization.

   Freya, the Goddess of Love, Beauty, War and Death in Norman mythology, for whom Amalie sings, will surely be proud of this mysticistic trip. A child so brave, of the Heathen realm, strong as a maiden, rise up once more! Definitely the Folk album of the year!

Rating: 8/10
Editor: George Kourou
Related Link: Aeternam – Official Page