Thrymr tells its story.
Created by Norwegian musician Trym Torson, known for his performances with Emperor, Enslaved, God of Atheists and Zyklon, the project unveils Saga of the North, its first album, in 2024, on Darkness Shall Rise.
Far from the Black Metal and frantic drumming for which he is renowned, Trym‘s music is ambient, with keyboards, backing vocals and guitars, as well as some percussion. We begin, for example, with the epic tunes of Landsbyen, a rather soaring first composition that offers itself a more festive passage, but prefers coldness to lead us to Trusselen, a relatively darker track. Darkness becomes agonizing and gradually invades our minds, fascinating us as much as it frightens us, but it eventually gives way to Slaget, which can be more mysterious, recalling the most tense moments in the films of cinema greats. Gravferd soothes the sound for a short while, but the unease lingers for a while before the enchanting sounds take over and take us on a journey to Sorgen, which feeds the contrast between the two atmospheres with a few whispers that disturb the silence. The melodies reinforce the mystical mix, then Minner plunges us into its softness with a bewitching piano on which the whole composition rests, adding here and there a few touches in the background, then we return to a more occult register with Vandringen. The track is as intriguing as misty, and gently gives way to Håpet, a more melancholic final track, a sort of farewell from the musician to us through this final creation of intoxicating notes that intensify before ceasing.
With Thrymr, Trym Torson shows us a very different universe from his debut, but one that seems to be truly complementary. Saga of the North takes us on an unforgettable journey through the snowy Nordic landscape.
85/100
