Join Hrothgar on their journey.
After a few years performing under the name Esteliath, this band from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes led by Quentin Peyrouse (vocals), Tristan Vatrain (guitar/vocals), Bertrand Paradis (bass), Sébastien Couriol (drums), and Benoit Mourenas (guitar), has already made a name for itself with an EP and then an album before presenting its follow-up, Tales of Valhöll, in 2026.
From the very first moments, Jörmungandr transports us to Scandinavia, effortlessly evoking a much older Swedish band known for massive Melodic Death Metal, whether through the catchy riffs or Quentin’s roars, as he fully embraces his role as frontman. Leads effortlessly pierce through the shell of violence to offer epic soaring passages, and the same is true of Face to Face, a rather jerky track that will have us headbanging, while the mystical break offers a slightly calmer yet highly unifying moment. We pick up the pace with Fight You Like a Beast, an effective track albeit a bit slower and simpler that relies on the bass/drums duo to give the other three musicians more freedom, as heard in the Heavy Metal-rooted solo before the final chorus, which leads into Hræsvelgr and its majestic melancholy before the avalanche of raw rage kicks in at full speed. In my opinion, the song will pack a much bigger punch live, whether during the aggressive accelerations or the intoxicating leads just like Blazing Shores, which could easily be the perfect moment to raise a fist or a horn filled with hoppy liquid. We then move on to Giant, which highlights the Gothenburg roots of our local Vikings while remaining fairly subdued, followed by Ulfhednar, which will energize the crowd with a powerful foundation that’s sure to get the five warriors moving. The track is relatively short, eventually returning to a softer tone on The Voyager, whose intro lets us catch our breath before accelerating for the first time, then a second time on the choruses, finding a satisfying cruising pace as the guitars go wild with harmonics, leading into the far more ferocious Fenrir’s Fate. The track is also one of the best choices to reignite the energy live with its fast pace and unifying vibe, while the intro to The Kraken allows the musicians to calm things down one last time before diving into this final track, remaining within that cold and imposing landscape we’ve come to know and which they master with ease.
Swedish Metal has always inspired fans around the world, and our French band Hrothgar is no exception! Tales of Valhöll is a real treat to listen to, and there’s no doubt it will help our local horde climb their own mount of doom through the flames!
80/100