Blóð Dýr is finally ready to unveil its new album.
Entitled VEKJA, it follows the demo released in 2023 by Tim (saz/vocals/composition), Nea (vocals/voices), Melehän (vocals/narration) and Reyn (drums/dulcimer).
Comprising six tracks and two introductions, the album kicks off with the upbeat Across the Sea, which immediately sweeps the listener up into its intoxicating dance, which crosses a few shadows, but is carried along by the vocalists until the introduction of Along the Way, where the medieval melodies return. The track is a little more melancholy than its predecessor, but the notes fly freely and offer a catchy simplicity that allows the voices to respond to each other before giving way to Guðrúnarkviða, a track inspired by an Edda poem embellished by Nordic tonalities. The rhythm slowly hypnotizes us, before finally joining Huginn Muninn‘s ominous introduction and the track itself, which develops intriguing sounds to tell us the story of Odin’s two ravens. The rhythm is quite driving, and Nea‘s voice fits perfectly with this mental escapade that leads into the mysterious Price of Wisdom where everything becomes darker again, but the appearance of this vocal alternation eventually guides us to Sleipnir, the last and longest composition that takes the time to weave its universe, gradually adding all its elements and drawing us into its dreamlike story told by the three vocalists about Odin’s horse.
Although quite short, VEKJA allows Blóð Dýr to broader their repertoire and establish themselves as a rising figure on the French Nordic Neo Folk scene. The band reveals a little more of its influences, and I’m sure fans will be receptive.
70/100