The atmospheric journey to claim direction starts within the dreamscapes of
“Draumakona”, an expressive look at the female side of shamanic prophecy. The French band constructs their Nordic folk melodies to be particularly catchy, shifting powerfully between female lead singing and multilayered vocal arrangements to create an antiphony between individuum and community. Inspired by Skaldic poetry,
SKÁLD use instruments fitting of the time:
Ørlǫg is shaped by Nordic fiddles, different forms of harps and lyres, horns, kannels, and whistles, among others, as well as three lead vocalists to bring the arrangements to life.
“Myrkviðr” picks up on the opening track’s persuasive energy, with male vocals taking the lead this time. Further spreading their message is
“Ratatoskr”, intonated by clattering sounds and throat singing, channeled into hauntingly repetitive chants of the eponymous squirrel’s name. For
“Dǫkksalir”,
SKÁLD unwind their melodies to form a gentle song, sweet-talking almost like a lullaby—and therefore fitting the concept of the charming yet also frightening sirens lurking in the dark.
“Útgarðr” contrasts the different voices compellingly by the passages being sung simultaneously with alternating focus and a goosebump-inducing climax—instantly opposed by
“Ek skald rida” which makes use of similar techniques, but is the most tranquil track on the album.
“Himinbjǫrg” reaches far out to the edge of Asgard, where Heimdall guards the rainbow bridge, Bifröst.
SKÁLD lend him an assertive voice, so the song serves as an emphatic yet reassuring guide through our sometimes-clouded destiny.
“Heiemo og Nykkjen”, a rendition of a traditional medieval folk ballad from what is now Norway, takes a more provident approach to both instrumentation and vocal delivery, while
“Veit barnit” calls upon the knowledge of children and uses a child’s voice alongside their usual harmonies to reflect that. The grim finale,
“Eldr ok iss”, Old Norse for “fire and ice”, again calls on contrasts as well as referencing part of the creation myth in which the primordial being Ymir emerged from Muspelheim—the realm of fire—colliding with icy Nilfheim in the beginning of times.
SKÁLD build an appropriate arc of suspense with a formidably sinister atmosphere.
Ørlǫg tracklisting:
- Draumakona
- Myrkviðr
- Ratatoskr
- Dǫkksalir
- Útgarðr
- Ek skald rida
- Himinbjǫrg
- Heiemo og Nykkjen
- Veit barnit
- Eldr ok iss
Ørlǫg will be available in the following formats:
– 1LP Gatefold Whitelabel / Testpressing, incl. LP-Sized Booklet, Covercard (numbered), Certificate of Authenticity (numbered, dated) – Napalm ROW exclusive (strictly limited to 50 copies)
– 1LP Gatefold Splattered Milk Black Orange, incl. LP-Sized Booklet – Napalm Records exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies)
– Bundle: 1LP Gatefold Translucent Yellow & Logo Shirt – Napalm Records exclusive
– Bundle: Digipack & Shirt – Napalm Records exclusive
– 1LP Gatefold Marbled Translucent Orange – Band Only Exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies)
– 1LP Gatefold Clear Indie USA (strictly limited to 200 copies)
– 1LP Gatefold Translucent Yellow
– 1LP Gatefold Gold – France Exclusive (strictly limited to 500 copies)
– 1CD Digipack, incl. 6p Digipack
– Digital Album
