FORNDOM may be a one man band, but let’s not become discouraged from the fact it is just one musician behind the creation of all of FORNDOM’s music, the multi-instrumentalist whose real name is LUDWIG SWÄRD came to the spotlight in 2012. He writes music in the style Nordic folk/ambient and also creates all sorts of themes as well as atmosphere in what he has composed already now in the past number of years. It can be said that the music “has been a multi-project consisting of art and atmospheres from the ancient Sudermannia plains, filled with rune stones, mound hills and dark forests”. As mentioned these are the sounds and concepts that the composer wants the listener to imagine when his music has been heard, so now that we know a bit more about this talented individual, let’s see what his previous work is all about.

In the time he has been around which is actually just over ten years now, he released an EP titled FLYKT in 2015 which was by far the best way of introducing us to the soundscape and ambient sounds of Nordic folk music, as we hear mostly virtual instruments however the EP does certainly a great job of portraying imagery of fantasy landscapes. If you have heard of a band named WARDRUNA who also are very well known in the Nordic folk scene, then look no further than FORNDOM as they are following in the same footsteps, the next release was the debut album titled DAUðRA DURA which came out in 2016. Not long after the EP came out, the debut album actually now includes some real time instrument playing, as the composer makes good use of traditional instruments; the Tagelharper, the Näverlur and the Velvira.

A few years later on in 2020, FORNDOM’S second album had been released which was titled FAþIR as this came, it was very much welcomed by those who have been following this multi-talented instrumentalist, as this album was described as “nothing short of a modern masterpiece, rooted in ancient ways”. So now that we have had three releases to listen to over the years, a new release has come our way, however even though these are re-releases but all of them are piano versions of previously released songs including ASKA, the final track as this was never released before. The album titled ALSTER opens delightfully with “Jakten” as we hear a soft piano note being played along with a low end sound, like a reverberated pulse or kick perhaps.

After the first minute or so, the piano builds on the intro, with a nice melodic tone as there is a bass represented by the sound effects complimenting the piano so beautifully. Also at first all piano note being played are sustained as they echo so well and then another higher pitched piano comes in with brighter harmonic playing, this crescendo continues on as we approach the next track which is “Yggdrasil”. This next track has that nice flow and the tone set by the piano is so heavenly as well as we come to the halfway point where certain notes are held or sustained which gives the track some warmth. This certainly has a higher range of pitch and has that crystal clear tone, every note being played is full of richness, so onto the next track which is “Finnmarken”.

The third track has such a nice melody again, soft and gentle like small drops of water or rainfall, there is a subtle bass note being played too, also providing a nice atmosphere for this track. The choice of playing piano is such a work of art for sure as we can hear sounds and textures that can relate to the imagery the composer wants us to perceive as we make progress in this album. More of a melody being played as the bass note is repeated, as the echo or sustain of each note is crystal clear, so we can now move onto the next track which is “Resan”. Another bass note is heard, as low end blips can also be heard floating in the forefront of the track, as this track the melody is less active with piano playing more sustained notes with more of an interval between notes.

There is more of a haunting but sombre tone to this track as it has those low end blips like footsteps coming close and then fading away, there is some kind of pulse to this track with those low end echoes or clicks. The track is slow but gentle so it is very much more calming and perhaps a track you could almost meditate on and now we come to the next track which is “Fostersonen” as there is a much higher but angelic atmosphere to this track. The melody is more constant and regular in terms of rhythm, still remains a bass note as the piano plays fluently and smoothly. This very much the gist of the track as it continues on as before, it doesn’t build to any sort of climax, so very much a more down to earth type of track, nothing adventurous or heroic.

So on we go now to the next track which is “Hemkomst” as the previous track comes to standstill from slowing down, then into the sixth track now as there is a mix of higher, mid and low range notes. There is even a brush sound effect lurking in there, but is so subtle and being masked by the mid range piano notes, we can also hear a sort of reverb or perhaps sampled note that is being used to create an inversive piano note let’s say. The sustain and echo off each note is well arranged as always, just the movement of piano as this is such an exquisite track full of richness as well as tonality. So into the final track of the album which is “Aska”, as we come to the last but not least seventh track to close out, as more piano reverb is heard as before.

A melody can be heard of course, a bass note also set as the rhythm is different really with the melody especially, maybe more freely and improvising as piano is played. Even certain notes can be heard being pressed twice, to create more of the echo and sustain with the high pitch of each note, as the sound is carried on through until the next note is being played. The tempo picks up halfway through and it is certainly building up to a climax, as more notes are played in between those bass notes. So a very interesting way to bring this album to a close, as the piano slows right down, then a bass note also to end on, so this is an album that doesn’t really involve as much instrumentation. But certainly to capture the ambient and soundscape as well as the imagery of what the composer wants is the concept behind this piano based album.

I think this is definitely the first time I have heard a full length album that is purely piano versions of songs that were composed or arranged already, so they are not exactly new tracks but perhaps different versions of them. If you actually check out online now, you will find there are actually piano versions of a lot more popular songs then I anticipated, so this is nothing new, but as I said before, beautifully arranged by the composer. There is so much to think about with each track and to take everything in you really need to listen so carefully, through a pair of speakers just to hear all those piano notes, as well as the additional sound effects being played also. So a nice and magical journey we have been guided on and overall just fascinating.