Hybernation

Forlorn have finally released their long awaited third full length album, Hybernation. This third album is the second for Napalm Records after Opus III - Ad Caelestis Res. When that album came out in 1999 I had been rather disappointed because the band had not continued where they left with their monumental first album The Crystal Palace. Those of you who like Viking metal stuff should check out this album because it is a real masterpiece. In fact, this album and Falkenbach Magni Blandinn Ok Megintiri are two of the best Viking metal albums ever. I wish Napalm Records could resurrect Falkenbach as they did with Forlon. Original founding members C. Worhn parted ways with the band. Hennex (aka Alvarin on earlier releases) took the opportunity to hire some new guys to come up with a strong new line-up ready to go on tour.

On Hybernation the band continues where they ended with Opus III - Ad Caelestis Res with their futurist viking black metal approach dealing with epic stories. The only difference is that this new album is so much better than their previous one. The band has refined their songwriting during the last three years and this album displays great musical skill. They've developed their sound to the fullest potential. The music remains mid-paced and progressive, combined with rhythmic black metal in the Norwegian viking style of playing. Their sound is mostly guitar driven with warm keyboards and melodies, as well as some samplers and electronic elements. This album contains more technical passages than previously heard on Opus III - Ad Caelestis Res. Hybernation is a great mix of these different musical elements. Futuristic epic viking metal with majestic clean vocals and choirs.

To sum up, the band’s musical approach could be described as a mix of traditional viking metal in the veins of bands such as Einherjer or Enslaved with the eloquence of bands such as Acturus and Emperor or even early The Kovenant. Check this one out and tell me what you think of it.