Search - Windir :: Soknardalr

Early Windir

Karl Haikara | Denver, Co. | 06/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Early, but not more primitive or worse. Valfar plays nearly all the instruments, except drums, which are handled by a very talented drummer, and female vocals, which are obvious.



Inspired a lot by the French band Mystic Forest to develop his melodic trem picked guitar style, and also his sense of melody, V. never-the-less manages to be one of the most original black metal players around in music (it's a very sad thing that he died). This early album brings to mind Norwegian landscapes, epic scenery and Vikings, and also a magical, occult and most of all mystical enviroment. This is beautiful and epic music that really is made for listeners who are beyond that "evil and elite" crap that goes on in black metal. This is mature music made to create atmosphere and beauty, not just hatred and juvinile despair. Really brings me up to listen to it, and acts as good music to watch Lord of the Rings to!



Over-all this would be both a good place to start for new fans of Windir, and fans who want to explore the back-catalouge after hearing Likfred and 1184. This is brilliant stuff from a great musician taken too soon."

The best of all the underrated metal bands ever!

Xander Xavier Xymox | Frederick Co :( | 06/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That is quite a bold statement but I am ready to give this band the credit they deserve. I may have quite a few 5 star Cd's that I have written reviews for but this is in my top 10. Possibly even top 5. My friend burned me a few Windir songs from 1184 a couple years back and I loved them. I thought this is excellent. I just hoped that the rest of the songs would live up to those few songs. I started looking to find Windir Cd's and couldn't find them anywhere. Finally I tried to look for them and I accidentally used a (i) instead of a (e). That just happened to be the right way of spelling Windir. So I bought likferd off of amazon. I was so impressed that I ended up picking up 1184, Arntor, and last I picked up this masterpiece. All of the Cd's are worth 5 stars. This one just happens to be my favorite. It is not as experimental as 1184, or likferd. It is one step ahead of Arntor. I was hooked from the opening song on here to the last one. The highlights are Morket Sin Fyrst, and Likbor. With this type of talent coming from one man I am surprised that they are not widely recognized as a elite black metal band. This Cd is mostly black metal with hints of Norwegian folk melodies. Valfar is an excellent guitarist, keyboardist, and bassist. Speaking of bass you can actually here it in the songs. Most black metal bands have minimal bass, but here it is quite good. The other review for this CD says that it blows away Dimmu's storm blast and Cradle's Midian. At first I thought that is going to far. After hearing this CD I can see how a argument can be made for this blowing those masterpieces away.



Sognariket Sine Kirgarar 9 This is a epic song that many bands only wish they could imitate. I like the clean vocals better on this CD than on the others. The other ones are more clear and maybe even better, but the dreary humming vocals give this a better atmosphere.



Det Som Var Haukareid 9 My favorite part of this song is the organ. The way the organ melody matches the guitar is just genius. Almost reminds me of old cradle of filth. Half of the way through the song their is a awesome organ solo.



Morket Sin Fyrste 20/10 Yes this deserves a 20 out of 10 rating. I cant describe the grandeur of this opus. Since I owned this CD I have listened to this several times a day. Nuff said.



Songanriket Si Herskarinne 8 Another really good song. Morket Sin Fyrste is a tough song to follow but this doesn't disappoint. At about two minutes in their is a acoustic section. Their is some clean Norwegian spoken vocals that I think take away from this song. It still ends up a really strong song.



I Ei Krystallnatt 10 When I first heard this CD this was one of the few songs that didn't hook me right away. Over the last couple weeks this has jumped leaps and bounds in my estimation. Their is not as much keyboard usage in this song. This song is all about valfars dazzling guitar work.



Rovhaugane 8.5 Flawless piece of music. Just one of eight great songs here. Not my favorite though.



Likbor 15/10 Second favorite song here. The chorus is awesome. When I heard it I couldn't get it out of my head all day. The best part of the song and maybe even the CD is at 4:44 to the end. A phenomenal guitar melody that sounds absolutely triumphant. It is repeated for several minutes while gaining splendor each time. As it reaches the end a organ joins in. This is eight minutes that feel like four minutes. I wish it would never end.



Sóknardalr 9 Instrumental. I am almost sad that this has to end. Duel guitar melodies and keyboards give this a harrowing atmosphere.



I had to be really critical just so I wouldn't give every song a 10. When Valfar made this CD he was making a statement. Unfortunately this statement didn't get the exposure it deserved. His life may have ended in tragedy, but just because he is gone it doesn't mean that the windir saga is over. The art that represents his dreams will forever live on as a immortal tribute to one of the greatest unknown artist of our time.

Hail Valfar!

"