Eight songs that last over 50 minutes, that is what the Norwegian Folk Metallers of EINHERJER are treating us to on "Lifeblood", their tenth studio album since their formation in 1993. And as usual they are able to mix their Folk background very well with their Metal upbringing. Plus of course you will hear songs that are versed in the English alongside those done in their native tongue. If you haven't heard any of their albums before now, you really should check this out, even if the term Folk will make you a bit weary. The Metal side is in there just as much or sometimes even more than the Folk side of things, making them a joy to listen to. What is even better is to see them live, as they are a feast on stage. They are very enthusiastic, extremely lively and bloody good musicians that are able to give their studio tracks even more life when played live.

What I like a lot about the first half of "Lifeblood" is the playfulness of the riffs the band is using on their tracks. They are heavy, but due to the atmosphere that they exude they also sound really exciting, or should I say unique? That does change after the (power) ballad "Dei Så Ser". The last three songs are full of riffs that show a lot more Metal, a little less Folk, without entirely letting the latter go. It makes those tracks the most intense ones, giving them that bit of a sharper edge. What I'm trying to say is that both halves of "Lifeblood" are as good as each other, but where the first half of this EINHERJER album is more entertaining, the second half is more direct.

EINHERJER has always been a good band in every aspect, and they aren't shy in showboating that to us on "Lifeblood". What I hear when I listen to them this time is that the whole album is filled with very properly structured and well appointed songs, with the only difference between them individually being the way the atmosphere and intensity of the tracks are being handled. More importantly, nowhere during the whole fifty minutes will you feel that the band is lacking or slacking. Nope, "Lifeblood" is filled with meaningful songs that will impress you no end. It just goes to show that as usual, EINHERJER doesn't do fillers. Only good songs.