From Bandcamp, comes only this short biography: Mountain Folk Music from Norway since 2018. The album has eleven songs, and let’s get to some of the highlights to address the album in a review. “Bergegarda” is the first track, and it’s a short, mood-setting instrumental, with dark approach to folk music, leading to “Trollhjerte.” Somber, dark piano notes enter gently, with some firmer strikes, and they paint a picture of a mountain landscape early in the morning, as a thick fog has settled in. The waning moments of night are beginning to lighten with the coming of the sunrise. “Heimurinn Undir” has another gentle entrance, but it is dark, and tension hangs in the air. Traditional folk instruments are used including the flute, guitar, and tom drums, and the vocals carry the cold message.

“Sagaland” has a more jovial sound, and now the sun is up and out, and you can feel the warm rays on your face. There are still some shadows hanging around, mostly in the way the vocals are delivered…they are very sober sounding. “Jøtul” is a shorter sound that features a good heaping of flute, horns, and keys, and other backing elements, and remains within the more positive sounds on the album. “Nordportal” is the longest on the album, clocking in at just under eight minutes, and it explores the darker side of nature. The jaunt is both slow and somber, and the even-keeled vocals echo the message. For me, it almost sounds like a warning not to disturb something sacred in nature. “Gammal Som Åsen” is half as long, and features more hardened elements, especially in the drum strikes. The long vocal hums combine with layered harmonies while the music takes a bit of a back seat, allowing them to soak in.

“Førspell” is the shortest song on the album, and it’s a diversion that features only acoustic guitars, and it takes you away from the pain of the world for just a moment. “Ask & Embla” closes the album, and it’s a smooth ride without much concern, but tension still hangs around.  This was a good listening experience for me, and I can appreciate the band’s simple approach to their music. Without traditional singing (many of the vocal parts were hummed), they had to work a little harder at creating the tale with instruments, and they reflected the part of you that feels torn between the dichotomy of self, and nature, existing at the same time.