'Frostnatt' is the one and only demo from Sweden's Aegir, who split up a while ago, but are planning to come back in a year or two. 'Frostnatt' is available for free download on the band's website, and this review is written about mp3 version, not the real deal.

Starting with instrumental 'Yggdrasil', Nordic vibes are instantly presented. I thought weird rhythms are some kind of a trick on this "intro" only, but no, drumming is really annoying and bad. It's in tempo, just and just, but snare is everywhere. No usual metal beats or such. Everything else is better, but still it's cear, that when this demo was recorded guys were still amateurs. Guitar sound is sharp, but there's some wah-wah utilized (or some other effect) and melodies is nothing but Nordic metal: take viking or melodic dark metal in vein of million other bands. Sounds bloody familiar and not a bit unique. Songs are quite long, but ther's not much happening and soon they get very boring. It's up to bass, thanks to lame drumming, to create the rhythmic backbone. Which is usually does. Vocals are rough, but powerless throat. Sound is okay for demo level, since everything is audinble. But it's not powerful at all.

It's free for download, so you might want to try it if Nordic metal is your favourite music style. Otherwise, forget it. If Aegir are to surface for another time, hopefully playing skills are far better, especially drumming, but the compositions too need a lot more work!

Reviewed by Lane
11/18/2004 16:08