10 years! Fejd released a new album on Black Lodge Records after ten years.
The band consists of the Rimmerfors brothers (Patrik on folk instruments and vocals, Niklas on vocals and moraharpa), Esko (drums), Lennart (keyboards), and Thomas (bass), Fejd is releasing its new album, titled Nifelheim, in 2026. Nifelheim is a frozen, desolate world in Norse mythology. Now that’s an album title!
The first thing I notice is that, overall, the songs have more punch than the previous album. Obviously, the comparison with the previous album comes to mind immediately, given the time gap between the two. On the title track, I feel like I’m traveling through Nifelheim aboard a drakkar; it has a very warlike sound, and I can picture the circle pit forming during a concert. You can sense a certain melancholy in the other songs, especially in Nidhögg. With all the pagan metal bands I’ve listened to, the songs feel familiar, but with that little something extra. Honestly, when I hear it, I want to dance to it and at the same time sit around a campfire to listen to it. This album reminds me of a recurring dream I have where I’m a raven flying over a battlefield, and with the song Edsvuren, it feels like you’re hearing a Valkyrie. Fejd comes across as a Folk band that’s gently influenced by metal in certain passages, and the album feels very sincere and stands out from other bands. There are no grandiose vocals or music, but that’s precisely what makes it feel more traditional than other, more “polished” productions. This is the kind of album you listen to around a campfire while drinking mead and recounting the sagas of the past.
Overall impression: it’s too short, and I wanted more, but it was worth the wait! I’d definitely recommend this album to anyone who’s used to listening to folk music!
85/100
For an interesting explanation of the world of Nifelheim, see https://blog.vkngjewelry.com/fr/niflheim-mythologie/
The editorial staff is not responsible for any nonsense written in the linked article; we don’t want to get on the bad side of fans of Norse mythology.