VANIR with its name which comes from Norse Mythology touches on the fact that the band draws many inspirations from Norse, but also Irish and Scottish Folklore. ‘Onwards Into Battle’ is the second album of the Danish ensemble. VANIR’s music subscribes to the genre’s traditional sounds and I’m not only talking of the bagpipes and whistles, on the platform of a mixture of Power and even Death Metal.

That in itself is not a negative, with this trend the major enjoyability factor is in the passion of the music, and it’s the sort of music you really want to hear live in an atmospheric and traditional setting, ideally with alcoholic beverages. The chemistry between the members of the band is good and the songs, even if you don’t listen to them live, offer an enjoyable passing of time. Songs to take from this: ‘Æresdod’ mostly offers instrumental passages and the few sung choruses, which are really interesting and not predictable here and are subtly dramatic and epic even, that really bring forth the band’s love of the legends and evokes an uplifting atmosphere and a sense of connectedness not only to legends of yore, but between people – over the epochs and those living within it.

And as such it offers a good antidote to today’s predominant feeling of alienation. ‘Hlidskjalf Gynger’ shows a great balance between the metal, more traditional here, and the folk elements, and though I said balance, it makes the metal part shine out clearer and better, and all is done in quite a joyful way. In fact, that sense of joy is really something that this album will bring forth and leave the listener with. The ending song ‘Sons of the North’ has a wonderful reflective mood and charming, nostalgic quality about it; it’s mournful and yet it gives something positive to retain as it enfolds into a more celebratory ending. ‘Onwards Into Battle’ is a good and enjoyable album, it has its interesting moments, though if you’ll look for something groundbreaking and new forging within a trend you may not be able to say you’ve found it, but at the end of the day, here it doesn’t really matter as it leaves you feeling happy.

1. Dark Clouds Gather 01:12
2. Onwards into Battle 04:18
3. Thyrfing 04:17
4. By the Hammer They Fall 04:18
5. Tveskægs Hævn 05:58
6. Brigands of Jomsborg 03:24
7. Æresdød 04:46
8. Vinlandsfærd 03:18
9. Warriors of Asgard 04:10
10. Hlidskjalf Gynger 03:08
11. Raise Your Horns 02:36
12. Fimbul 08:03
13. Sons of the North 05:09

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