Huldre

Intet Menneskebarn

Written by: PP on 12/02/2013 19:02:08

I've been putting off the review of Copenhagen based Huldre and their self-released debut album "Intet Menneskebarn" for quite a while now, but I figure it's about time to get it done and over with. Now, the reason why I've been delaying its review is actually simple: I cannot fathom how anyone can stand the vocals of Nanna Barslev for more than half a song at a time. That's about the nicest way I'm able to put it, because her gothic metal inspired, whiny, annoying voice drives me crazy every time I hear it. It lacks the power and force of her female peers who often carry the sound within gothic metal, but at the same time doesn't go for the silky-smooth approach either which some vocalists do. Instead, it lingers in mid-range, lacking in melody and often pitch-correction if you ask me, and it's enough to make me want to skip the record every time I put it on.

The rest of the band doesn't deserve such scathing criticism, however, because their approach to folk metal is quite enjoyable, albeit slightly predictable and in line with the big names in the genre. You see, I actually enjoy folk metal and find it one of the most intriguing subgenres within the realm of metal, and when played right, it can be bombastically awesome, fun and light-hearted, or just rock solid throughout. And although you can't really use any of those words in connection with the rest of Huldre either, at least the instrumental department brings in all the necessary folk instrumentation to make it sound decent overall. Still, whoever thought that bringing in a gothic style vocalist on top of folk metal instead of, say, the powerful symphonic approach of Tarja Turunen should be shot. Or at least shunned. It doesn't work, and removes all the fun from the folk metal sound by making it sound overtly serious and dark, for really no perceivable reason whatsoever. And as such, "Intet Menneskebarn" becomes an impossible record to listen to unless you specifically like the sort of vocal work that resembles this classic comments war on this very site. Sorry.

3

Download: Trold
For the fans of: Korpiklaani, Eluveitie playing gothic metal
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Release date 21.06.2012
Self-Released

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