The band Månegarm is a regular fixture at Zware Metalen. We’ve been covering albums by these Swedes since 2003, and we’re now onto our eleventh review. Månegarm released their eleventh full-length album at the end of August last year, but over the years, we’ve also discussed a compilation and arguably one of the finest EPs ever released: Urminnes Hävd (2006). It has to be said, not all reviews have been equally favourable. In my view, the band went through a period where they failed to truly impress, particularly with Vargstenen (2007) and Nattväsen (2009). It wasn’t until the self-titled Månegarm (2016) that they once again managed to win me over, with powerful epic songwriting, a commendable diversity of styles, and tracks that really allowed them to shine.
Since then, I’ve kept my ears pricked whenever these Swedes release something new. Not every release has fully convinced me — Fornaldarsagor (2019) was definitely stronger than Ynglingaättens Öde (2022), despite the guest appearance by Jonne Järvelä on Stridsgalten. I get the impression, however, that the band has once again stepped up their game when it comes to the musical content on Edsvuren — a title which translates to “sworn”.
Although Månegarm play a form of folkloric black metal, their music rarely descends into whimsical folk antics. Their brand of epicness runs deep, though some tracks are deliciously filthy as well. The raw, powerful screams certainly help in this regard, but the riffs themselves are also satisfyingly old-school — as heard on opener I Skogsfruns Famn and the previously released Hör mitt kall. That last track is a particularly strong choice: its dragging, hypnotic riff immediately burrows into your brain. At times, the guitar work is strikingly melodic, presented with a certain flair that gives the songs a vibrant energy. A track like Blodvittneskrans puts a smile on my face with its Taake-esque riffing, playful drumming, and clean vocals that lend the song both a dark and epic feel.
Another of Månegarm’s trademarks is the beautiful acoustic material that features on nearly all their albums. On Edsvuren, this comes through in tracks such as Till gudars följe, Rodhins Hav, I runor ristades orden, and the title track itself. The first two in particular evoke that signature Urminnes Hävd vibe, and with Ellinor Videfors returning as a guest, the band taps into a collaboration that has worked wonderfully in the past.
Månegarm just can’t help but include a few filler tracks here and there, but that doesn’t change my overall impression of this new release. Once again, they move to the front of the Viking metal class, returning to the level they achieved in 2019. This album is yet another example of how they don’t need high-profile guest artists to craft a convincing, deeply rooted Viking metal record. Odin would be proud.
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