Baldur (album)

Baldur is the début full-length album by the Icelandic Viking / folk metal band Skálmöld. It was first released in Iceland and the Faeroe Islands on December 15, 2010 through Tutl and re-released by Napalm Records worldwide in July – August 2011.[1]

Baldur
Studio album by
Skálmöld
ReleasedDecember 15, 2010
RecordedMay – June 2010 at Studio Reflex, Reykjavík
GenreViking metal, folk metal
Length50:54 / 66:36
LanguageIcelandic
LabelTutl
Napalm Records
ProducerFlex Árnason
Skálmöld chronology
Baldur
(2010)		 Börn Loka
(2012)

Background

While Skálmöld was initially formed with intention to be just a hobby, the band members soon decided to record an album. In January 2010, the band recorded its first demo, consisting of two song, "Árás" and "Kvaðning", but it was never released.[1] In May 2010, Skálmöld entered Studio Reflex in Reykjavík to record its first album.

Music

Baldur is a concept album, telling a story of a fictional eponymous Viking with lyrics inspired by the Icelandic sagas and Norse mythology, entirely in Icelandic.[2][3] A demon-like creature attacks Baldur's home and kills his wife and children, forcing him on a quest for revenge, aided by two friends. After much hardship, they fight their enemy. Baldur's friends die in the final battle and, having defeated the enemy, he succumbs to his wounds as well, joining his family in Valhalla. For the album's re-release, the band decided to record a bonus track, "Baldur", which proved to be challenging, since it had to supplement the completed story line.[4]

Baldur's lyrics conform to the rules of dróttkvætt, the Old Norse alliterative verse, while music combines folk melodies, with the elements from melodic death, doom and thrash metal, creating an overall epic atmosphere.[5][6][7]

The album and protagonist were named after Baldur Ragnarsson, guitarist with the band and brother of main songwriter Snæbjörn. Snæbjörn likes to use names for the characters which are familiar to him and to which he has some connection.[8]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Snæbjörn Ragnarsson; all music is composed by Skálmöld.

No.TitleTranslationLength
1."Heima"Home2:12
2."Árás"Attack6:06
3."Sorg"Grief5:25
4."Upprisa"Rebirth6:34
5."För"Journey3:57
6."Draumur"Dream1:34
7."Kvaðning"The Call7:54
8."Hefnd"Vengeance5:06
9."Dauði"Death6:31
10."Valhöll"Valhalla5:08
11."Baldur" (re-release bonus track) 10:50
12."Kvaðning (Edit)" (re-release bonus track) 4:50
Total length:66:36

Credits
  • Björgvin Sigurðsson – vocals, guitar
  • Baldur Ragnarsson – guitar
  • Snæbjörn Ragnarsson – bass
  • Þráinn Árni Baldvinsson – guitar
  • Gunnar Ben – keyboards, oboe
  • Jón Geir Jóhannsson – drums
  • Aðalbjörn Tryggvason (Sólstafir) – guest vocals on "Hefnd" and "Árás"
gollark: Some people somehow wrote something like six pages and I don't know how.
gollark: We had to do two essays in two hours for an English mock exam, which was very unpleasant.
gollark: When I have to write essays, I generally just end up procrastinating for ages, then slowly getting at least vaguely sensible stuff written until I get something vaguely near the word count.
gollark: Oh, you mean coming up with actual text to write, not handwriting.
gollark: Even non-cursive is annoying.

References
  1. "Skálmöld". Napalm Records. Archived from the original on August 12, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  2. "Interview mit Björgvin Sigurðsson zu "Baldur"" (in German). metal.de. December 26, 2010. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  3. Morton, Kenneth (September 1, 2011). "Skálmöld: Grand Viking Metal from Iceland!". Highwire Daze. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  4. "Interview met Skálmöld" (in Dutch). Ashladan. August 13, 2011. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  5. Schmatz, Bastian. "Skálmöld - Baldur" (in German). cdstarts.de. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  6. "Skálmöld - Baldur" (in German). xxl-rock.de. Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  7. "Skálmöld - Baldur". Lords of Metal. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  8. "Interview: Bjorgvin and Snaebjorn of Skalmold". Moshville Times. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
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