From North/Raven Banner/At Dawn Records/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Sweden's  From  North  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  mixture  of  folk,  viking  and  death  metal  and  this  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Raven  Banner"  which  will  be  released  on  November  24th  by  At  Dawn  Records.

  Melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads  start  off  the  album  while  also  bringing  in  elements  of  viking  metal.  Clean  pagan  vocals  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  aggressive  vocals  being  mostly  black  metal  screams  as  well a s  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  melody  and  touches  of  folk  music  are  also  added  into  certain sections.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  songs  also  mix  in  a  lot  of  influences  from  the  more  melodic  side  of  death  metal.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard.

  Some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  back  up  shouts  along  with  some  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  some  synths,  acoustic  guitars  and  folk  instruments  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Norse  Mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  From  North  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  folk,  viking  and  melodic  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Raven  Banner"  "The  Queen"  "Rune  Stones"  and  "Winter  Blot".  8  out  of  10.

  Website:https://www.fromnorth.se

Bandcamp:https://atdawnrecords. bandcamp.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ fromnorthsweden
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UC_ QcGv1QS5NPE3ryqpENgTQ
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/ artist/3uHD6BHJ6mC0HKzHCi77wV? si=eQp6JAovTouA1f2RUfW9Ng

  

    

From North/Lurhorns Call/2020 Single Review

 

  From  North  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  mixture  of  folk  and  Viking  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2020  single.

  Folk  instruments  start  off  the  single  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams.  Clean  pagan  vocals  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  some  symphonic  sounds  also  being  added  into  the  background.

  Most  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  more  of  a  mid  tempo  style,  When  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  more  of  a  melodic  direction  along  with  the  closing  track  going  into  more  an  epic direction.

  On  this  single  From  North  remains  true  to  the  mixture  of  Viking  and  folk  metal  that  they  had  established  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  th e lyrics  cover  Norse  Mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording f rom  From  North  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of Viking  and  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  single.RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Lurhorns  Call".  8  out  of  10.

http://fromnorth.se
https://facebook.com/fromnorthsweden

https://instagram.com/fromnorthswe  

      

From North Interview

1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

From North are a new Viking Metal band from Sweden. We incorporate medieval instruments into the music. All of the members have a long history from other bands as: Stormhold, Anata, Bleed for me, Irrbloss, Sinisty, Zero Illusions, Years of falling etc etc.

2. You have an album coming out in September, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

We would describe our music as melodic, big, heavy and dynamic backed by well-made backtracks.

3. Your lyrics deal with Norse Paganism and Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

Everyone in the band has an interest in the Norse history and mythology. We grow up with this stuff, it is a part of who we are. This also goes for Andreas, our sixth member who writes the lyrics.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'From North'?

From North is where we come from. We grow up in this part of the world, so what better name to take...

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Our next show will be our best show! Ask us again in a year..

6. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

We have our release gig for the upcoming album on the 20th October @Sticky Fingers in Gothenburg. After that we aim for upcoming festivals and more club gigs.

7.The album is going to be released on 'Downfall Records', are you happy with the support that they have given yo so far?

We are definitely happy with Mike and Downfall. He has done a good work so far and looking forward to further collaboration.

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of folk and viking metal?

We are surprised and really happy with all the great feedback so far! It makes you proud seeing fans using the From North logo and commenting on and supporting the music. We get a lot of curiosity on the rest of the album; and if you like the first song “From North” you will not be disappointed in the rest!

9. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We are really happy with our concept! Mixing different styles of metal and medival instruments into the signature From North sound! Next album is already in the making…

10. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Hard to say because of the broad range of our musical taste. We are all metal heads first and foremost but we have influences from many times, places and styles.

11. What are some of your non musical interests?

Some stuff we like: Growing beard, drinking mead, riding motorcycles, sword fighting, drinking Minttu mixed with Jägermeister = the from North shot (Drink at own risk), and enjoying our beautiful nature; fishing, hiking and camping.

12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Keep supporting metal in general and From North in particular! Rock on and see you at a stage near you soon!

Facebook

Homepage

Instagram

ReverbNation

Spotify

Twitter

From North/Self Titled/Downfall Records/2017 CD Review

   From  North  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  mixture  of  folk  and  viking  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2017  album  which  was  released  by  Downfall  Records.

  A  very  heavy,  epic  and melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  folk  instruments  and  after  awhile  aggressive  vocals  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  the  riffs  also  mix  in  a  great  amount  of  traditional  metal  elements  and  clean  singing  is  also  utilized  at  times.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  fashion  while  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  and  epic  at  times  and  the  vocals  also  add  in  growls  at  times  and  you  can  also  hear  a  slight  black  metal  influence  in some  parts  of  the  songs  and  as  the  album  progresses  acoustic  guitars  are  added  onto  the recording.

  From  North  plays  a  musical style  that  takes  folk,  viking  and  traditional  metal  and  mixes  it  in  with  the  heaviness  of  melodic  black  and  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Norse  Mythology  and  Paganism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  From  North  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  folk  and  viking  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Voland  The  Smith"  "Mead  of  Poetry"  "The  Catch"  and  "From  North".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQSuU0NQD-g&feature=youtu.be