The first time I saw THRUDVANGAR performing live was around one year ago at the first edition of Ultima Ratio Festival and I was immediately impressed by their show and, of course, by their songs. Most of them came off their self-produced record Ahnenthron. In the meanwhile THRUDVANGAR have deservedly inked a deal with Einheit Produktionen and even powered up with the new album Walhall.
First positive thing to be noticed is the much improved production; the sound is much more vibrant than before. Fortunately, they didn’t change much of their musical concept; they already prove with the first tunes of the very melodic and bombastic intro.
Generally speaking Walhall is arranged very epically. Highly present keyboards lead most of the melodies, giving some kind of majestic wideness to almost all songs. With the title track Walhall the album even contains a song close to be a ballad; its guitar work gets slowed down, while solemn and wide melodies dominate most parts. Though, guitars ain’t missed out. There are several songs like the seconds track Asatru or the pounding Helheim that have much drive and power. I like most the last two songs, before the epilogue Heimholung closes Walhall. Being already blessed with an impressing voice, singer Matze especially shows much variety in these both songs and gives his best during the refrains. The album closes similar as it has begun: with a keyboard-driven atmospheric outro, introduced by some striking Odin calls.

With Walhall, THRUDVANGAR remained true to their style and didn't fail in just copying their first album. You can clearly imagine their enthusiasm for both the mythological aspects displayed in the lyrics and the music. All these epic tunes on Walhall surely entice the listener to raise the horns full of mead. Walhall is full of lordly melodies, but though manages to combine them with necessary heaviness in order to avoid clichés and kitsch. Strong album!