WINDIR - Sóknardalr CD

Despite its flaws, ''Sóknardalr'' is a masterpiece. Not only does it lead the way for the legendary ''Arntor'' soon to come, it stands as a token of Valfar's talent. The Viking imagery is in place, and it's an important aspect of the music.

There's a clear emphasis on the lead guitar, which for the most part plays a melodic lead high up on the fretboard, in a medium to fast paced tempo. There is, as on most other Windir releases, an emotional undertone to each of the melodies, and though they're presented as heavy, through heavily distorted guitar as well as shrieking, they're quite melodic. The riffs are simply amazing, and it's pretty much impossible to not head bang at least once during a listen. There's somewhat of an influence from more casual metal, as well as from classic/folk music, and this does add quite a bit of diversity and interesting factors, and Valfar has taken all of his different influences and blended them together (with added Viking theme) into what would become sognametal.