THE BEAST

@thebeast

Followers 56935
Following 56783
Updates 37808

Blog Categories Review Urferd - Resan - Reviewed By POWERMETAL.de!

Urferd - Resan - Reviewed By POWERMETAL.de! Thursday May 12 2022, 9:23 AM

THE BEAST
PLATINUM

Urferd - Resan - Reviewed By POWERMETAL.de ! Check it out here at this link: http://www.powermetal.de/review/review-Urferd/Resan,39154.html

No, not the primeval horse. The name would not be completely inappropriate. Daniel Beckman, the keyboardist of TWILIGHT FORCE and AGES, who founded the Swedish one-man project at the end of 2020, jumps from one role model to the next in his songs on the debut album. With each track, except 'Gryning', you can see quite clearly which artist or band URFERD was inspired by. In the fourth song, for example, this would be IRFAN, if not DEAD CAN DANCE. In 'Strövtåg' the ARCANA influence becomes abundantly clear at the latest from the use of the voice, especially in view of the intonation.

Thus, "Resan" appears more as a tribute to the aforementioned bands as well as possibly FORNDOM, to name another one-man project, or other Nordic music projects. Even MILA MAR came to my mind for a short time while listening, although I am not convinced that Daniel Beckman is even familiar with the formation, which, however, as a parable very well endures due to the integration of other musical cultures, in this case Iranian nature. It may seem inappropriate to start a review with so many parables, but that's exactly the overwhelming impression that remains after listening to URFERD's debut album, which is why the rating can't be better despite the album's pretty good audibility.

If the artist does not only want to play with the genre for a short time, it would be helpful if he creates a highlighting memal in order to differentiate himself from his idols and for an improved organic enjoyment, bring in musicians who replace the instruments that have so far been presented synthetically - especially bad in the wind segment - positively and possibly even in an original way. But enough for amateurish suggestions on my part, because the album, if you leave the synthetics aside, gives good ideas. In addition to the previously mentioned 'Strövtåg', 'Avfärd' and 'Hymn' also contain faster, well-audible titles in "Resan".

In 'Envig', which means duel, you are greeted by a harsh beat. In between, a slight memory of Irish cheerfulness awakens. In the sixth title, the beat is worn, which makes the piece seem more ambient at the beginning. For a short time, the singing comes to the fore a little more and is accompanied by a harp. In the last minute, there is even a musical and vocal outburst. 'Hemfärd' stands for homecoming, which is not quite comprehensible due to the use of a didgeridoo, Far Eastern influences and the "He-he-he" singing in different pitches. In the final song, the name says it all, because 'Dvala' can be translated with calm and it is precisely this that returns when listening to the ballad, which is performed by polyphonic male and female singing. In particular, the beautiful clear voice of guest singer Kristin Starkey fits into the genre in a credible way.

The male voice remains on the album mostly in the subliminal area. For this, the orchestral sounds are sometimes played with too much power in the foreground. Often you can feel how with each sequence of eight real or synthetic tones of various instruments are added as décor, whereby the sonority increases more and more. "Resan" or even individual album titles may be easy to insert into corresponding playlists, but in a collection it is unnecessary, as it already includes albums by artists such as WARDRUNA, GARMANA, ARCANA, FORNDOM, DEAD CAN DANCE and IRFAN. - POWERMETAL.de

Release Date: April 15, 2022

FFO: Eluveitie, Moonsorrow , Equilibrium

Location: Falun, Sweden

URFERD signifies the beginning of a new and additional musical chapter for its founder and sole member, Daniel Beckman (TWILIGHT FORCE, AGES), and brings a refreshing new perspective to the genre, challenging the boundaries of dark atmospheric folk music. The first album “RESAN” is a musical odyssey in both a literal and figurative sense. The album takes the listener on a journey through dark and olden nordic forests; where strife and hardships follows in our steps, yet where the beauty and vastness of the solemn nordic landscape persists and permeates. From the album opening’s depiction of a serene morning’s dawn, to the closing track’s respite of a hearth at nightfall, RESAN traverses a multitude of captivating musical landscapes and themes throughout its eight songs.

Check out this video!