''Sorgir'' (''"Sorrows"'' or ''"Griefs"'' in Icelandic) is the fifth full-length

album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

by the

Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...

viking Vikings were seafaring people originally from Scandinavia (present-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden), who from the late 8th to the late 11th centuries raided, pirated, traded, and settled throughout parts of Europe.Roesdahl, pp. 9� ...

folk metal Folk metal is a fusion genre of heavy metal music and traditional folk music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. It is characterised by the widespread use of folk instruments and, to a lesser extent, traditional singing styles (for example ...

band

Skálmöld Skálmöld () is a Viking / folk metal band from Reykjavík, Iceland, formed in August 2009. The band's name is literally translated as ''Age of Swords'' and also means "lawlessness", referring to the Age of the Sturlungs of Icelandic history, w ...

, released on 12 October 2018 via

Napalm Records Napalm Records is an Austrian independent record label focused on heavy metal, hard rock and folk/folk rock/folk metal. Originally, Napalm focused on black metal bands, such as Abigor and Summoning, and folk metal bands, such as Falkenbach a ...

Concept and recording

The album is divided into two parts. The first four tracks are labeled ''Sagnir'' (''Tales'') and each tell a tragic story. Track number five to eight are labeled ''Svipir'' (''Ghosts'') and tell the same stories, but from the perspective of the ghosts who caused the disastrous events. The names of the ''Svipir'' tracks are taken from the names of mythological beings. ''Sorgir'' was made two years after Skálmöld's previous album ''

Vögguvísur Yggdrasils ''Vögguvísur Yggdrasils'' (''"Yggdrasil's lullabies"'' in Icelandic) is the fourth full-length studio album by the Icelandic viking/folk metal band Skálmöld, released on September 30, 2016 via Napalm Records Napalm Records is an Austrian in ...

''. The band described the creation process as quick and raw. The album was produced by Einar Vilberg and recorded at the studio Hljóðverk in Reykjavík.

Reception

Arnar Eggert Thoroddsen of

RÚV Ríkisútvarpið (, ; abbr. RÚV ) is Iceland's national public broadcasting, public-service broadcasting organization. Founded in 1930, it operates from studios in the country's capital, Reykjavík, as well as regional centres around the count ...

wrote that the album stays within its genre conventions but is the band's most varied to date. He highlighted the song "Skotta", which reminded him of "

Metallica Metallica is an American heavy metal band. It was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The band's fast tempos, instrume ...

's best song, 'Disposable Heroes'". ''

Metal.de Metal.de is a German-language online magazine launched in 1996. The magazine focuses on the subgenres of heavy metal and hard rock, but also reports on similar styles. ''Metal.de'' foundation in 1996 makes it one of the longest-running heavy me ...

'' complimented the fast solos and rhythm structures, and wrote that the best part was the "melodic offensive" of the last two tracks, "Móri" and "Mara". ''

Metal Hammer ''Metal Hammer'' is a heavy metal music magazine and website founded in 1983, published in the United Kingdom by Future, with other language editions published by different companies available in numerous other countries. ''Metal Hammer'' featu ...

s Dom Lawson wrote: "Whether in full-on longboat assault mode on the marauding, mid-paced ''Lsjósið'' or exploring more expansive dynamics on closing tour-de-force ''Mara'', the power of the message and the sincerity of the messengers carries every stirring ensemble splurge forward to

Valhalla In Norse mythology, Valhalla ( , ; , )Orchard (1997:171–172) is described as a majestic hall located in Asgard and presided over by the god Odin. There were five possible realms the soul could travel to after death. The first was Fólkvang ...

with maximum uplift."

Track listing

Personnel

Skálmöld * Snæbjörn Ragnarsson – bass, vocals * Jón Geir Jóhannsson – drums, vocals * Baldur Ragnarsson – guitar, vocals * Þráinn Árni Baldvinsson – guitar, vocals * Gunnar Ben – keyboards, oboe * Björgvin Sigurðsson – vocals, guitar Guests *

Óttarr Proppé Óttarr Olaf Proppé (born 7 November 1968) is a former Icelandic politician. He is a musician, actor, former Reykjavík City Councilor (Best Party 2010-2014) and former Member of Parliament ( Bright Future 2013-2017). Óttarr was elected chairm ...

– vocals on track 5 * Ragnheiður Steindórsdóttir – vocals on track 7

References

{{Authority control 2018 albums Skálmöld albums Napalm Records albums Ghosts in popular culture