It’s not bad what Emperor Mastermind Ihsahn serves us here. But it isn’t more than that. In spite of the initial euphoria, the shallowness of the promising cooperation at first sight stands out after repeated listening both via stereo and headphones.
That is to say, the idea to present lyrics, elements and themes of the Norwegian folk music and mythology in a contemporary Rock and Electronica outfit wakens high expectations. But this crossover ain’t that new, too, as the Trondheim-based Folk rockers Gåte (May God rest their souls) had already exhausted this concept in an impressive and unique way and thus have raised the standards for HARDINGROCK.
The best moments on Grimen are the straight forward rocking ones when Ihsahn uses his clean and pleasantly rough voice (as in Fanitullen, for example). But the Black Metal like shrieks are annoying (Faens marsj), because that absolutely doesn’t become the Folk-rock of the Norwegians. The storytelling voice entering in a couple of tracks gives the impression of listening to a radio play, which clearly steals the drive of Grimen. Else wise it could sweep you. The beats on Faren på bordstabelen are very shallow, unoriginal and rather redundant.
The whole album was arranged around the Harding fiddle which convinces. Knut Buen, who plays the fiddle, interprets the traditional originals virtuously and very dedicatedly. Ihsahn’s guitar work is very strong as expected, too. So technically everything is in the green area. Just like the production. All in all cleanly mixed, even though the required clout is missed to do justice to the word „Metal“ which is used as classification in the promo information.
When HARDINGROCK abandon the ballast in the future and concentrate on the essential, we can expect a real hit by all means.