Album Review: Brothers of Metal – Fimbulvinter (AFM Records)

Swedish Vikings, Brothers of Metal will release their new album, Fimbulvinter, on 1st November, through AFM Records.

Brothers of Metal are a rising phenomenon on the international metal scene delivering catchy songs that pay homage to both heavy metal and the Norse gods. Their first two album releases, Prophecy Of Ragnarök in 2017 and Emblas Saga in 2020, earned the band an outstanding reputation, and now Brothers of Metal are ready to take the next step with Fimbulvinter. The album title, is explained by vocalist Mats Nilsson:

“Fimbulvinter is ‘the great winter’ in Norse mythology. A winter that is colder and darker than all other winters and lasts for three years. It’s one of the first significant indications that Ragnarök is coming.”

Fimbulvinter showcases all of the eight-piece’s strengths, but also includes some significant new elements. Again, Nilsson explains:

“The core sound is still there, but we’ve also evolved as songwriters, so the songs have more depth and width than before. Our songs follow the same themes as before even though we’ve ventured into new territories and explored new stories, as it were. We always aim to have one song that fits everyone on each album, with the result that our hymns tend to sound like a lot of different genres of metal. That’s how we like it. We’re Brothers of Metal, we can play whatever we want to!”

Fimbulvinter was recorded at the Massiv Musik’s Studio in Mockfjärd, Sweden and, like its predecessors, produced by Erik Berglund. Artist Sallai Péter contributed the cover design again, emphasising the tracks’ Nordic flair visually.

Brothers of Metal is Ylva Eriksson, Joakim Lindbäck Eriksson and Mats Nilsson on vocals with Dawid Grahn, Pähr Nilsson and Christian Larsson (live) on guitars. Emil Wärmedal is on the bass and Johan Johansson is on drums.

Brothers of Metal deliver 13 new tracks on Fimbulvinter, or around 57 minutes of new music in total. Catchiness, epic sounds and grand story telling are what Brothers of Metal delivered in abundance on their previous albums and you can feel comforted that they deliver more of the same here, just more epic and even bigger. Huge orchestral sounds lead the opening track, Sowilo in, before the guitars and drums apply layers of melodic catchiness. It takes seconds of the song playing before you feel embedded and a smile rising on your face. Catchy choruses will have you singing, though good luck matching the power of Ylva Eriksson.

Brothers of Metal do epic so well but also offer many variations in style with some tracks that get much heavier. Not that they lack in epicness, just that they bring mosh pit worthy riffs and drums alongside it. Giantslayer utilises the harsher vocals much more giving a harder edge to the track that still screams power and might through the screaming solos, punchy drums and harmonising vocals passages. Heart of Stone goes for a slower stomping beat to keep those heads moving and fists punching with intense vocals and a huge chorus. Flight of the Ravens deliver epic choirs and soaring vocals over a bed of thunderous drums and fiery riffing sure to damage some necks.

Heavy Metal Viking pays homage to traditional heavy metal delivering a track that stands out as something a bit different on Fimbulvinter. It still delivers rocking music and catchiness but in a style that seems quite far from Viking, lyrics aside, Is there anything Brothers of Metal can’t do? Berserkir is another track that goes for the jugular. Crunchy riffing and impressive drum beats create the foundation for a heavy track with more impressive vocals and harmonising. It’s a bit of a beastly, snarling track that still delivers a supremely catchy chorus. It almost seems more catchy and epic because it bursts out of a song that delivers quite a lot of darkness and menace, and even a chunky breakdown nearing it’s close.

The band explore all of their considerable talents on Fimbulvinter so there are also songs that lead more on melody, with folk sections that give the impression of alehouses and campfire stories. Rivers of Gold has a gorgeous gentle verse that grows as it hits the chorus. The chorus, while still gentle enough, brings the guitars, drums and more traditional instruments in for a stunning combination. The folky chanting style of Blood Red Sky keeps you firmly embedded in the atmosphere. It brings a simple yet perfect chorus, neat solos and plenty of folk instrumentation. Chasing Lights has a bit more of a modern metal sound to it and it works really well with superb vocals leading the way and guitar melody elevating the track at just the right times.

Where Brothers of Metal are at their absolute finest though is when they go big on “epic ” and they do that a lot. Most songs have moments on them but there are a few tracks that stand out as just that bit bigger and grander than the rest. These songs tend to combine all of their talents and styles to create tracks that twist, turn and transition and just sound huge.  Ratatos is a massive track, delivering fast and fiery music with insanely catchy vocal passages and harmonisation. A small section of spoken word, a key change for when they come back in. It flows wonderfully.

The Other Son of Odin catches me instantly with its guitar intro. The flow of vocals again, it just works so well delivering a nice pace and beat then growing into a huge chorus that will have you throwing your arms up and singing to the sky. What a cool track this one is! Speaking of epic, Brothers of Metal leave some of the biggest tracks to last starting with the gorgeously sung Nanna’s Fate. It’s so well delivered. The vocals are soft but powerful, leading us through melodic verses into a massive anthem of a chorus. Then closing out on the title track, Fimbulvinter, we see all the band’s considerable weapons attack at once.

Orchestral opening leads into a foray of guitars, drums and bass before all the different vocalists stretch their chords. Cleans, harsh, gang vocals, lots of backing – it’s all going off in a song that flows beautifully and naturally, like a stream or river. It’s a stunning song to close an album on and really leaves a lasting impression.

Brothers of Metal have delivered a masterclass with Fimbulvinter. An album full of creativity and catchiness with memorable story telling and grandiosity at it’s forefront. There is an evolution to the band here too –  a growth and togetherness that pours out of the speakers and brings you on the journey with them. There is clearly an abundance of talent in the band, but being able to put that talent to good use and get the best out of everyone isn’t always easy. Fimbulvinter is a fine example of when everything just works and the band have created what must surely be Brothers of Metal’s strongest release to date.

You can preorder Fimbulvinter by Brothers of Metal from AFM Records, here.

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