It really took 4 years until the debut Pagan Manifest, written and recorded in 2000, of the Norse Vikings ULVHEDIN comes to praise and honor. But, it took just as long to get the band awake. Originally founded in 1994 by John Lind (git, vox) and Helge Gårder (bass) the band was put on hold until 1998, where Are Gjerde (drums, synth) and Sigvald Carr (vocals) joined the team and the demo Gnipahellir was recorded. I just hope the gents will not continue with this rhythm, otherwise we would have to wait a long time for a follow-up to Pagan Manifest. And that would be a drama …
Then, what ever one might have read about this album, all these overwhelming words are true. Hailing from the same place where once bands like Enslaved , Einherjer and Thundra established themselves ULVHEDIN ranges in the same fields musically and even offer the same high level of technical skills. Pagan Manifest – take that title literally – is a pearl of midtempo-based Norwegian Viking metal art. The pace gets sometimes accelerated a little, at best. Opener Element Of Sorrow even touches doom fields. Driving riffs and well set breaks bring necessary diversity, while the alternating singing between clean voices and black metal-like screams gives an interesting contrast. Songs like Maanelus, Where The Spirits Gather and Echo Of The Goddesses Voices (grandiose track) reminds me to old Thy Serpent, a comparison that comes quite often to mind. Just take the guitar work. ULVHEDIN creates and atmosphere likewise dark, cold and melodic as Thy Serpent did in the past.
On the other hand some tracks are a bit lengthy and cannot continuously keep the high level. But that is nothing to nag about. The only thing is the visual aspect of Pagan Manifest. Gray font on a grayish background is not the best idea, especially since the font is kind of baroque. I had also expect more creativity in matter of the band picture, since the Norwegian gets breathtaking landscapes for free.
All things together Pagan Manifest is a really well-done debut, shooting the band on a higher position within the scene. It raises hope and maybe we soon get a worthy follower for Thy Serpent. Well, time will tell!