|
In the early 1990s an underground band named Forlorn was born. They
played a particular type of doom metal that blended together a wide
spectrum of musical styles, including the epic sounds of Bathorys
Viking metal albums. As they evolved into a full-fledged doom act,
some of the songs were filed away and the bands name was changed to
Isole.
In 2003, Mats and Ragnar, decided to resurrect
the old hymns and thus, Ereb Altor was officially
born. Officially, because this underground
Swedish epic metal bands history dates back to
the early 90's, Mats and Ragnars years with
Forlorn.
Growing up with Bathory's epic era in their hearts,
it comes as no surprise that their music would
somewhat flaunt the influence of their house
gods. So with Bathory's anthems as their spiritual
foundation, they set out to find their creative and
unique niche within the epic Viking metal genre.
In 2003, Ereb Altor entered the studio to record
Awakening. It included reworked tracks, some
dating back 10 years or more. Limited to 100
copies, including a full-color layout, the album
received much acclaim, though it was never
unleashed to the masses and the years passed
But in early 2007 Mats and Ragnar heeded the
call of the one-eyed elder to enter Apocalypse
Studio and record a full-length. Though they had
not yet secured a recording contract, they hoped
that someone would be willing to release the
finished product. Indeed I Hate Records jumped
at the chance to release first-class Heavy Metal;
i.e., epic, heavy, melodic, melancholic, and true to
the style created by such bands as Bathory,
Scald, and DoomSword, as well as harboring
elements from Candlemass and Isole.
This debut album, entitled By Honour,
comprised 7 long and adventurous tracks to kill
for, delivered in a beautifully laid out 8-page
booklet courtesy of Midark Media. Following its
release, Ereb Altor undertook a few festival
appearances assisted by the inclusion of session
musicians.
The response generated by By Honour was
overwhelming and inspiring Mats and Ragnar to
soon release a followup.
Once again an
album was recorded
sans recording deal.
The End, a slightly
fasted album featuring
more Scandinavian
melodies and lyrics
focusing on Nordic mythology, was picked up by
Napalm Records. The title track is in fact 3 songs
that are tied together to tell the story of Ragnark.
The choirs and the atmosphere from the first
album remain and once again it contains 7
hymns.
EREB ALTOR is the brainchild of Ragnar and
Mats, the doom masters behind ISOLE's dark
anthems. On their second collaboration, the
Swedish duo also pays homage to the hypnotic
and substantial power inherent within this genre.
The viscid and elegiac riffs, as well as the doom
metal foundation created by the dragging and
purposely monotonous drums, make way for
perfectly placed folk elements and haunting
vocals. Ragnar plays with disparate vocal lines
and coloring in order to communicate the
oppression and hopelessness oozing out of the
compositions. The songs in turn intensify into
epic journeys that pull the listener inexorably into
Ereb Altor's world. "The End" is a dark work of art, to which lovers of doom
will unequivocally succumb.
For promotional material please contact:
USA:
nathan@napalmrecords.com
All other countries:
ben@napalmrecords
NAPALM RECORDS
Hammerplatz 2, A-8790 Eisenerz, Austria
Tel: +43 3848 8117-0 Fax: +43 3848 8117-4
NAPALM RECORDS AMERICA
P.O. Box 153220, Austin TX, 78715-3220
Tel: +1 512-383-0791 Fax: +1 512-383-0794
http://www.napalmrecords.com
|
