The Vikings from Månegarm have finally released their third album, Dödsfärd, and I can only help but wonder why they spent almost three years on an album that barely lasts for half an hour. Well, they probably had their reasons, so let’s take a look at the album instead.

After a short and redundant intro, Månegarm open with the best song on this CD, “I Evig Tid”. They right away create the right atmosphere with a good violin folk type melody and typical Viking vocals. This band has certainly progressed since that promising but poorly produced debut, Nordstjärnans Tidsålder. Månegarm delivers short and compact songs that, despite their shortness, offer a good amount of tempo and mood changes and at their best Månegarm manage to challenge great Viking bands like Einherjer and Thyrfing.

Månegarm has successfully created their own style, which speaks to their advantage. However not all the songs manage to arouse my interest; some of them just don’t have that catchy touch a band like Thyrfing imbue their music with.

The title track for instance is rather plain and unimaginative. At other times Månegarm just swoop you of your feet with a wonderful folk melody, like for instance during “Vrede” or “Daudr”, which sounds like older Thyrfing with an aggressive twist.

Dödsfärd is a decent Viking metal album that certain will win more fans. Good folk melodies and powerful songs but slightly too short and at times missing the necessary hooks. Nevertheless if you dig Viking metal I advice you to at least give this album a try because at times this band rages like a Viking gone berserk. Something, not many of their compatriots manage (or even try) to accomplish. Oh yeah, the production of this album is good, and on top of that, you get a cover made by Kris Verwimp. Because artwork is a matter of taste, you’ll either love it or hate it.