Since the HELRUNAR show has blown me away at this year’s Nebelmond fest I could not resist getting me hands on their one and only release Grátr. With this record the band could even land a deal with Prophecy Production’s sublabel Lupus Lounge. I think that already proves the high quality of Grátr.
Anyway, with this record you really get a masterpiece of black metal art in your hands. Free of all the usual clichés Grátr is one of just a few albums that really musically conveys the bitter cold – inside as well outside – as so many bands (unsuccessfully) claim to do.
Reflecting the myths and stories of the goddess of the underworld Hel music and lyrics go hand in hand, finding its expression in German, Norwegian and even Norse lyrics and recitations based on the Skaldic Verses and the Edda poetries.
Musically the album starts with a German spoken very atmospheric intro called Der Faehrtensucher with a perfect transition to Raune mit der Tiefe. This song already captivates the listener with a memorable riffing one will always recognize, followed by haunting male choirs and the charismatic voice of singer and guitarist Skald Draugir, who ranges within typical black metal screams and wonderful clean singing. Speaking about the pace HELRUNAR is using the entire spectrum from furiously raging attacks to mid-tempo crushers and slow and quiet passages that give room to the acoustic elements and recitations. The pace gets perfectly dosed, although the faster parts outweigh. Downright a hymn is the title track that contains these distinct guitar parts one might know from legendary Thy Serpent. Other highlights are Hornung and Das heilige Feuer.
What struck me was the use of jew’s-harps which is quite unusual for Viking bands but adds a special moment to the music.
Although it is the very first release of a band founded back in spring 2001 HELRUNAR deliver an exceptional sophisticated and mature debut that deservedly got overwhelming response. But in fact it even leaves me more curious about of what has to come in the future, since HELRUNAR already show such a huge potential with the first release, now working under the roof of Prophecy Productions.