Ereb Altor – The End

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Although they seem fairly insistent of being referred to by the terms “epic viking metal”, Ereb Altor, much like parent band Isole are a doom band, epic in their scope, but a doom band nevertheless, and with this second album they’ve recorded on of the best pieces of the year. A two-man team, Ereb Altor are just Daniel “Ragnar” Bryntse and Crister “Mats” Olsson, vocalist and guitarist in Isole. Olsson plays all of the instruments for Ereb Altor, including drums, and the pairs ability to deliver consistently expressive, complex records with both bands is incredible. But as good as Isole’s last album was, this is better. The End is a massively involving piece of doom, especially, but not limited to, the 24-minute title trilogy which closes the album. Bryntse mostly leaves his well-documented black metal voice alone until the final twelve-minute movement of the title piece, utilising his excellent doom drone for most of the album, while Olsson’s proficiency on all of the intruments is stunning. The riffs and lead guitar go without saying, but his drumming, bass lines and keyboard playing are perfectly suited to each track, all of which can be branded “epic” on their own, but as part of the complete record they flow together with the ease of the best concept albums. The End is very likely to still be around the top ten albums of the year come December.

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2010, Albums, Doom Metal, Quick.Play Reviews, Ereb Altor