EREB ALTOR – Nattramn
- by Matt Coe
- Posted on 30-06-2015
The fifth studio album from Sweden’s Ereb Altor, "Nattramn" straddles the epic Viking meets doom metal sound that made their last album "Fire Meets Ice" very noteworthy. Expanding to a four-piece last year as bassist Mikael enters the fold, Bathory is a prominent influence, but a lot of their previous Forlorn doom roots do creep in, especially in terms of the clean melodies and equally chilling background vocals. The title track contains the right eerie keyboard use against the plodding snare hits and ringing, low tuned guitar parts, while the 9 minute epic "Dark Waters" casts power riffs ready for battle against blackened screams.
Ereb Altor is a band that you gain deeper appreciation the longer you listen to their music – they offer up so much emotional intensity that you can key in on specific segments or take in the totality and key in on something new. Contrasts keep "Nattramn" front and center when I need some epic Viking/doom metal in my life.