DE SOM SEJREDE... REVIEW BY ARTEMI PUGACHOV FEB. 2005
With "De som Sejrede" Bjørn Jeppesen aka Nattefrost takes you on a journey to gloomy Nordic landscapes by means of ambient, classically-influenced electronic sound. Whereas his 2004 EP called "Vejen til Asgård" featured some rhythmic berlinesque material, this album, released during the same year as "Vejen.." is focused on beatless, flowing, dark passages, where symphonic keyboards and epic Scandinavian atmospheres play an important role.
There is, however, some rhythmic movement present on some tracks in the form of slow electronic pulse. Such is the case with the opener "Mod Lindisfarne" that features a repetitive brew of a low, grumbling sequence and mysterious pad melodies. "Sejlende Gennem Dybe Dale" is a dramatic symphonic keyboard number, complete with slow marching drum and strange rain-like effect. Talk about doomy! We then get "I Krig" that sounds as if it came straight from Endura's "Black Eden" album (the similarity to the opening chords of "The Devils Stars Burn Cold" is striking!) Ok, so you have guessed it's a dark symphonic anthem, and a very good one at that, although clocking in at under 2 minutes it's too short. "Slaget Som Varede Evigt" is based on a low electronic pulse which is complimented by all manner of cold atmospheres and effects. "Sværdet" is a string-heavy number that sounds like music accompanying a suspense scene in a thriller movie. However, some vibraphone notes that appear a bit later into the track are a bit at odds with the atmosphere of the track and the album as a whole. Curious stuff. "Stormende Mod Fjenden" is a frosty ambient number. One might easily think of the long polar night while listening to the recurrent atmospheres herein - dark, snowy, windy landscape captured in sound. The stomping funeral-like drums do not add any unnecessary brightness to the proceedings. "Tårnets Krigere" is an urgent sequency track, but somewhat sparse and reflective, even mysterious. After a brooding and anthemic interlude called "Nattefrost" we are treated to a track ("Mit Hedenske Blod") that would again serve as a great epic movie soundtrack, with marching drums, bells, symphonic arrangements, some electronic harpsichord and surprisingly enough - that vibraphone tone again. "Vintersolhverv" is all about dark, gloomy atmospheres that conjure up a frosty, desolate landscape.
Overall, "De Som Sejrede" is a pretty cinematic experience. I enjoyed it, although the album is a bit lacking in focus. Nevertheless, highly recommended for fans of atmospheric EM, Ambient and dark symphonic anthems.