Four-piece Scandinavian Metal band, EREB ALTOR, have released their fifth full-length album in seven years time, "Nattramn", which I think is pretty impressive. Once again they are particularly influenced by Scandinavian Metal band BATHORY, who they name themselves as their number one favorite artist.

The first song, "The Son of Vindsvalr" is actually one long intro and functions as a lead-in for the whole album. The second song, "Midsommarblot", is a calm and easy-going one, with no real climax nor anything heavy and, for that matter, noteworthy, and it ends with a little acoustic piece to keep the easy tone going.

"Nattramn" sounds at first like it's going to be a same kind of follow-up song, but then after the intro it kind of explodes, and there's suddenly some more energy in the music and in the whole album. The guitars go a little faster, the drums are being hit a little harder and the singer starts singing with kind of a scream in its voice. From that point on, the album starts to become something of their own, something creative, and you actually start listening to it. ICED EARTH influences can be heard in the background noises and in the guitar solo. "Nattramn" is definitely their best song on the album. Then it starts to go, well, not really downhill, but it stays somewhat the same, and thus not very exciting. "The Dance of the Elves" begins like the first song, with a quiet acoustic intro, but this time some sad lyrics accompany it until the guitars begin to rock. It isn't until the middle part that the song starts to change its pace for a while and turns interesting, until falling into old habits again near the end.

"Dark Waters", "Across The Giant's Blood" and "The Nemesis of Frey" are all a little more of the same, and in the end you will have enjoyed listening to the album, but you'll also be kind of glad it has ended as well.<