RUUN

For anyone pining for the days of lyrics sung in Nordic tongues and frosty songs about viking, look elsewhere. Though the early days of Enslaved brought us some of the best viking metal of the 90's, it's more than refreshing to see the band progressing naturally towards a more complex, rewarding sound without losing any intensity or credibility. The band won't please Black Metal purists looking for a Dark Funeral clone. The production here is immaculate, but not glossy or shiney. The sound conjured here is one of menace and sorrow. Sorrow is the one word that comes to mind most when listening to this album. From the clean vocals, the mournful riffs, the gentle interludes and dark (almost vintage floydian) synths, the album practically drips with sorrow. Not the indie rock the-girl-i-like-doesn't-like-me drivel, but a sense of epic misery. So Enslaved hasn't gone passed the icy landscapes and chill winds, they've just internalized them. Albums highlights include the title tracks which perfectly embodies all of the above mentioned virtues in a funeral like wail. 'Tides of Chaos' follows it perfectly with more of the same, including some amazing sounding guitar, showing that quality production is not something to shy from. Also, the great riff to 'Api-Vat' must be heard, while the final track. 'Heir to the Cosmic Seed', will be the best place for progrock fans to experience the band. This is a perfect album for prog fans who can take their music with a healthy dose of intensity and who have the patience to listen to all the layers and nuances that make up this album. For those more concerned about black metal mire in it's past instead of following it forward into becoming one of the most relevant art forms, this is not for you.