Havamal’s quest continues.
Now approaching ten years old, the band led by Björn (vocals, Northborn), Lenny (guitar, ex-Sadauk), Kjell (guitar), Tino “Saurus” Vesanen (bass, ex-Maggot Therapy, ex-Ashard) and Stefan Huenul Peltonen (drums, ex-Maggot Therapy, ex-Ashard) continues its partnership with Art Gates Records for the release of its third album, Age of the Gods.
We begin on The Pagan Path and its epic introduction, which leads into a furious rhythm, then Björn‘s furious roars accompany a devilishly effective charge that will have no trouble making us bang our heads. The choruses are slightly calmer, but the keyboards constantly embellish the mix before the solo arrives, then the track resumes its cruising speed until reaching Wolfraiders, which offers a more raw approach but is still supported by haunting melodies. The aggressive roots become more accessible during certain majestic passages, but they also express themselves through long cries before giving way to the martial The Day of Reckoning, which almost immediately adopts imposing tones, but also some brighter elements. The break allows us to catch our breath before joining the choirs, which give the song a more solemn tone before resuming its moderate pace. Then, after a massive growl, Sigmund Fafnirsbane takes over, maintaining a fairly heavy atmosphere but offering some welcome accelerations. The keyboards are also very present, adding a touch of lightness or, on the contrary, reinforcing the more refined passages. Then we move on to The Shaman, which suddenly bursts into flames with a devastating blast that guides the riffs towards very lively and slightly jerky patterns, allowing the vocalist to let loose or letting the unifying instrumental take over. I can already see myself raising my fist when the band plays this track, before the atmosphere calms down for the melancholic but solid Hymns Of The Fallen, which progresses at its own pace between two parts of wild growling, but the song remains naturally more peaceful than the others, even offering a few intoxicating harmonics before Lokis Damnation takes over. The rhythm section immediately picks up the pace, leaving the keyboards to take care of the more melodic elements, but the sharp solo contrasts the basis a little before a devastating final followed by a short moment of calm, then Ashwalker attacks again with riffs perfect for one last headbanging session, but also a truly grandiose moment before finally surrendering.
Having discovered Havamal live, I can easily imagine how the band crafted their new tracks, designing them for the stage and offering us moments of intense communion. Age of the Gods already sounds great on my speakers, and I can’t wait to see them come to life!
85/100
