Today, when one speaks about Folk Black Metal, the idea is of a band playing with folkloric musical instruments contrasting with guitars, bass, drums and (occasionally) keyboards. It's the actual model, but in the past, things were very different, because the bands used a more traditional approach on the musical side (it was just Black Metal, nothing more than the traditional musical outfit), with lyrics expressing the Folk or Pagan themes. Today, this model felt is not usual as it was, but it doesn't mean that one can't use it. And the Swedish band ÄNTERBILA rescues the old ways on "Änterbila". The band plays a form of classic Black Metal of the 90's (where some Black/Thrash influences inherited of SODOM's "In the Sign of Evil" and "Obsessed by Cruelty" days) can be heard), harsh, crude and nasty as one can expect. But they use some Folk elements in this bitter form of musical expression (as the clean vocals parts of "1704", and some melancholic parts and melodies), reminding a bit what SATYRICON did on "Dark Medieval Times", but not copying their work.

It's brutal and aggressive, but atmospheric in some parts, and it's the kind of work that's worthy to be heard due the personality of the band pulsing on its songs. The band hired Jonas Lindström for the mixing and mastering of "Änterbila". And this choice seems to be the best one, because things sound nasty and raw as classic Black Metal must sound. But never the fans will have problems to deal and understand what's being played. And as guests, the band has Motvilja on the acoustic guitar parts, and Thomas von Wachenfeldt on the violin.

For those who are used to Black Metal classic releases of the 90's, to deal with "Änterbila" will not be a difficult time. And it's very good to hear the band, especially on moments as "Hemlängtan" (the guitar riffs and arrangements are excellent, and some Folk Music touches can be heard, especially on the atmospheric part near the end of the song), "1704" (a song with tempos that are slow, reinforcing the bitter ambience of the song, and the shrieked tunes of the vocals fits perfectly on it, as the clean vocals parts), "Torparens Dotter" (that shares the same elements of the previous song, with many darkened hooks of Black Metal), "Södermanland" (another moment with excellent crude hooks of Black Metal, and everything built upon a solid and good rhythmic work of bass guitar and drums, and some old SATYRICON influences can be heard), "Vita Piskan" (where the inner Hardcore influences of Black Metal can be heard, especially during the chorus and backing vocals) and "Äntergast".

If you're a Black Metal fan that has roots in the 90's, or simply is a fan of the genre in those cold old days, "Änterbila" is a release made for you, and welcome ÄNTERBILA!