Metalcatto
I guess it’s time for us to get really folky! Vintersorg is back, and there aren’t many bands in the Black/Folk/Prog world that have managed to keep such a unique blend alive without turning into a parody of themselves. Vattenkrafternas Spel has the complex task of continuing the almost perfect run the band has maintained for so long. Also, I couldn’t find confirmation in the promo material, but wouldn’t this be the end of the elemental tetralogy? I mean, water was the only one missing, so it would make sense! I’ll admit it—I’m a sucker for long and high-risk conceptual endeavors.
Vattenkrafternas Spel follows everything you’ve come to love about Vintersorg: epic and dramatic lines that combine the best of Black and Folk Metal with ease. The balance is unmatched, and the writing remains spectacular as ever. After all these years, the band proves it can still deliver material that puts most Folk Metal acts to shame. I won’t say that’s an easy feat simply because the competition is weak—no, Vintersorg just seems to take its work more seriously. Proof, once again, that you don’t need to clown around in this niche to be a great band. There’s nothing wrong with aiming for more than mere entertainment.
You’ll have to excuse my bias here, but as a Swedish speaker I can actually appreciate the poetic value of the lyrics more directly. Sure, they stick to the familiar nature-centric themes—the white powder of the subgenre—but it still hits differently when the band pushes you to pull out a dictionary and really admire the craft and atmosphere in the storytelling. That said, you’re here for the blasting and the melodies, and you’ll get plenty of both. Still, there are a few things worth noting before diving into these icy waters.
Everything about Vattenkrafternas Spel is long. That’s nothing new for the band, but just like Till Fjälls Del II, the album’s production is loud and can be more punishing than expected (It hits like a brick, do you get it? I’m not proud of this joke!). And is it just me, or do most of the tracks open with a nonstop blastbeat assault? It works the first few times, but you become desensitized quickly—and that’s the last thing I want with this music. Fortunately, this issue is most noticeable only in the album’s final ten minutes.
If this really closes the run that began with Jordpuls and (in my opinion) peaked with Orkan, then it’s an exciting and worthy conclusion. It’s also the first Vintersorg album we’ve had this decade, and if it’s a sign of what’s to come, I’d say we’re in safe hands. Just like several bands from the same generation have proven this year, they still have the chops to keep going strong for at least another decade.
Label: Hammerheart Records
Release date: 26 September, 2025
Website: https://www.facebook.com/vintersorganic
Country: Sweden
Score: 3.7/5.0
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