"Grimjaur" is the second album from the band Siebenbürgen, and is closer to their debut than the two latest works. The violin, the yoik, the vampirism, the folk-inspired riffing and the Swedish lyrics are all there. Amongst the likenesses of course there must be some differences. The thing that hit you first is how the production have changed, but when recorded in a different studio (this time Studio Blue) that's kind of expected. Where "Loreia" almost sounded a bit too clear and synthetic (for being a black metal album, that is), this album tries to reverse that by having a more raw and dull sound. This gives for a more atmospheric feeling, as does the lyrics (if you can understand them) and the long parts on "I Döden Fann Hon Liv" where there are no vocals at all.
As for the music, it's still about melodic black-metal with folk-music elements. This album also has more power in the songs and a lot of better and more complex riffs than last time.
The lyrics are, as stated, mostly in Swedish but there are some parts in a language invented by Marcus Ehlin, the singer, witch sounds a bit like Icelandish or ancient Swedish. Death, vampirism and Grimjaur (a mind-constructed world like Immortal's Blashyrk) are recurring lyrical themes. The blend of female and male vocals that has become the trademark of Siebenbürgen is here, though this album was the last for Lovisa Hallstedt and her violin. This album was recorded in January/February 1998 and Lovisa left shortly after because of personal reasons.
My final opinion is that even if their newer creations have better production and more complexity, this is still Siebenbürgen's best album, and the one with the darkest atmosphere, marking the end of the first era of Siebenbürgen.
The album also has one of the most evil-looking covers i've seen, taking a big step away from the home-made feeling of the debut cover (and many other black-metal acts covers as well), while still not looking digitalized.
written by Jonathan Thell
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Tracklist
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| 1. Grimjaur |
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2. Vintervila |
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3. Nattskräcken |
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4. Slottet Auragon |
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5. För Mig... Ditt Blod Utgjutet |
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6. Dödens Svarta Fana |
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7. Luna Luciferi |
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8. I Döden Fann Hon Liv |
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9. Vargablod |
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10. Ibi Cubavit Lamia |
Playing time: 55.13
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Buy other Siebenbürgen albums
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