Aurora Australis Records (2010)
The main man behind this creation, Freddy Skogstad, says in the ending credits: "Fuck off goes to the "Norwegian" church, Christian hypocrites and all those who further continue to ruin this country." Add to this that Norway recently was voted as the best country to live in, in the whole wide world. So, perhaps we have something to thank some of these Christians for? As in, thank God for the oil!
But Norway hasn't always been such a wealthy country. Fifty years ago it was poor and dependent on help from amongst others the US of A. And then they found oil in the North Sea. After that the Norwegian society has turned into a much colder and extremely materialistic people. If we go further back in time, to the Viking-era, we regard it with the impression that they were materialistic, sure, but even more so in touch with the soul of the earth, with the spirits and with honour and pride. Correct or not, when I listen to Voluspaa's "Åsa" album, I envision my images of these times. In front of me I see battles in the north, I see strong men fighting the sea, I see hardship, I see the will to live rather than merely exist. Have we forgotten all about living, in these ages of the consuming needs to be better than our neighbours?
Voluspaa is deep music with various atmospheres that (can) result into different emotions. Freddy writes in his editorial that the musicians and himself have created Norwegian National Romantic Black Metal. Let me not dive into this neverending discussion on what black metal really is. Instead I'd say that there are elements of black metal in "Åsa" as well as different genres, be it Viking metal, folk music or melancholic ballads that fit into many genres. And the whole package is a well written hymn to Mother Nature, to the spirits and to Norway as we like to think of it before the Christians began their bloody crusade to Christen the inhabitants of Norge.
The music is very varied, yet there's the overall feeling that you're listening to the same 'band' all the time, which is impressive knowing that the album has been in the making in many years with songs written over 15 years. I wrote that the music is deep, but another word that may describe the album even more is profound. Yes, "Åsa" is a thoughtful release that deserves hours of listenings and then some. When I spin the wheel once again, I predict that "Åsa" is an album that slowly, but safely will be worthy of more and more attention, given that people are willing to step out from the narrow cube of materialism and emptiness.
A highlight among things to hear is the immense "En Hymne Til Våre Udødelige Forfedre", with a simple yet utterly effective rhythm, accompanied by wondrous violin and great chanting.
The reason this album doesn't receive top score is that there are bits and pieces throughout the album that doesn't stand up to par with the rest, and that "Ei Folkevise" is way too long for me, since I find the basic core quite boring. However, if you're a foreigner and want to learn Norway via music, Voluspaa gives you the answer. If you're Norwegian, just lean back and enjoy this hymn to the spiritual side of Norge.
www.voluspaa.com
www.myspace.com/voluspaa
Composed by Roy Kristensen