Vintersorg – Orkan (2023 Blue Transparent Vinyl) Review | Scandinavian Folk-Black Metal Storm

⛤ Viking Metal, Black Metal | 25.00 € (Mint)
⛤ Pulse Rating: 9 / 10

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Vintersorg has always lived in that strange, magical intersection between black metal bite, folk metal atmosphere, and progressive wanderlust, and "Orkan" is the moment where all those elements finally feel fully at home with each other again.

There's a confidence here that wasn’t quite settled on "Jordpuls" — this time the songwriting breathes, the melodies hit harder, and Andreas Hedlund sounds like he’s singing straight from the heart of a storm. This 2023 transparent blue vinyl edition not only looks stunning, but it spins with the clarity and depth this record deserves.

From the opening moments of "Istid," you get that immediate hit of icy northern air — the kind of windswept melodic lines and blackened guitar accents that defined Vintersorg’s early years, but now delivered with a seasoned maturity. The vocals soar, twist, and chant with that unmistakable Mr. V charisma, and the chorus work throughout the album is ridiculously catchy for something rooted in blackened folk metal.

Tracks like "Polarnatten" and "Myren" showcase the album’s incredible consistency. Instead of relying on a single highlight like earlier records sometimes did, "Orkan" maintains a high level from start to finish. The hooks are unforgettable, the choruses massive, and the folk melodies feel like they were carved from forest bark and glacier winds.

While some riffs lean simple or repetitive, the album more than compensates with atmosphere and vocal power. The clean singing is some of the best in Vintersorg’s entire catalog — warm, commanding, and expressive. When the black metal edge arrives, it hits with sharpness and purpose rather than empty aggression.

Another strength lies in the subtle progressive flourishes. Without going full "Spiral Generator", rhythmic changes and structural detours give songs like "Ur Stjärnstoft är Vi Komna” a depth that rewards repeat listens. The solos are folky, emotional, and tastefully phrased — proving Vintersorg doesn’t need technical flash to sound powerful.

As the second chapter in his elemental quadrilogy, "Orkan" feels windy, cold, airy, yet grounded in the same cosmic folk-metal DNA that made "Cosmic Genesis" and "Jordpuls" classics. And on vinyl — especially this translucent blue pressing — the experience becomes even more immersive.

"Orkan" stands tall as one of Vintersorg’s strongest modern releases — rooted in tradition, elevated by progressive nuance, and carried by one of the most iconic voices in Scandinavian metal.

Tracklist:
A1. Istid
A2. Orkan
A3. Polarnatten
A4. Myren
B5. Skogen Sover
B6. Havets Nourrisson
B7. Norrskenssyner
B8. Ur stjärnstoft är vi komna

Credits:
Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund – Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
Mattias Marklund – Lead Guitars

Recorded & Produced by Vintersorg
Mixed by Vintersorg & Mattias Marklund
Mastered by Vintersorg

Links:
Bandcamp * Facebook * Instagram
🔥 For fans of: Borknagar * Arcturus * Falkenbach * Enslaved * Windir
💀 Label: Hammerheart Records

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