28 March 2024

Månegarm – Månegarm

[schema type=”review” name=”Manegarm- Månegarm” description=”Label: Napalm Records” author=”Basak Günel” pubdate=”2015-11-20″ ]

Manegarm is a viking metal band from Sweden. The band has been active since 1995 and they are surely one of the names that comes to mind when viking metal is considered. This year marks the 20th year anniversary of the band and after waiting for 2 years, the fans can get ready to celebrate this anniversary with the band’s brand new self-titled album “Månegarm”.

“Manegarm” is surely an interesting record. After the band’s previous record “Legions of the North” (2013), I wasn’t sure what they were gonna come up with this time and I gotta say that I was disappointed when I heard the first single “Odin Owns Ye All”… but it’s true what they say: you gotta listen to the record before making a judgement!

“Manegarm” marking the 20th year anniversary of the band makes it a special album surely. Throughout the album, we get to see the harsh/melodic/viking as well as the natural/folkish side of the band, which makes the album catchy from the beginning. The ever-energetic Manegarm sound is there throughout the album;  powerful vocals, catchy and melodic riffs and the nordic viking spirit! So I am sure the Manegarm fans will like this record in general.

When I listen to the record over and over again, I have realized that I like the natural/folkish side of the album more; songs like “Tagen av Daga”, “Blot” and “Kraft” are some of the highlights that make me appreciate the album again and again. Beside this aspect, we hear the female vocals again in songs “Vigverk-del II” and the last song “Allfader” which added a great diversity to that nordic sound..
On the other hand, there are songs like “Odin Owns ye All” or “Call of the Runes” which kinda disturb the whole integrity of the record. I got the impression that these songs (especially “Odin Owns ye All”) do not fit at all so I have to say that almost all of the songs that were sung in Swedish in the album beat the other English songs.. That Swedish /nordic side of the record is definitely more from-the-heart and more sincere!

“Manegarm” is definitely ear-candy for the lovers of the viking/folk/melodic metal in general. It’s not the perfect record but it’s also hard not to fall in love with that nordic spirit in the songs.

Line Up:

Erik Grawsiö – vocals, bass
Markus Andé – guitar
Jonas Almkvist – guitar
Jacob Hallegren – drums

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Tracklist:
01. Blodörn
02. Tagen av Daga
03. Odin Owns ye All
04. Blot
05. Vigverk – del II
06. Call of the Runes
07. Kraft
08. Bärsärkarna Från Svitjod
09. Nattramn
10. Allfader

Links:
Manegarm Facebook
Manegarm Official