In recent times, Viking metal has become somewhat of a trend, if not cliché in European metal. With many bands trying to out do one another by being faster or more brutal than their predecessors, it can be difficult to find a band that stands apart from the rest. Occasionally, however, one comes along that is unique in its own right. Falenbach's "…Magni Blandinn ok Megintiri…" is a unique album for the simple fact that it try's not be the most extreme metal album, but reverts back to the days when Bathory reigned supreme with "Blood, Fire, Death", "Hammerheart", and "Twilight of the Gods", drawing heavy influence from each of these albums.

"…Magni Blandinn ok Megintiri…" is more like pagan artwork than metal, though not lacking in the metal aspect at all. The musical craftsmanship and emotion Vratyas Vakyas creates with flutes, folk style keyboards, and clean, Skaldic vocals all comes together like a medieval portrait when combined with distorted guitars and periodic double bass littering each melody. Though used sparingly, mostly for the first two songs on the album, black metal vocals enhance the pagan feeling of this warfare saga.

Masterful paintings throughout the booklet and archaic lyrics of Viking life, religion, and warfare draw the listener into that distant northern land. One can imagine sailing those northern seas on a dragon ship, bloodstained sword drawn toward the sky, hailing to Odin in battle during those dark times. "…Magni Blandinn ok Meginitri…" is art. It is pride and sorrow. It is epic.

-by Ryan Ward