German horde Hroptatyr was formed as a trio in 2008 in the Bavarian region (briefly as Drunken Warriors). In 2010 the band debuted with Auf Zu Neuen Ufern via recently defunct Düsterwald Produktionen, and now they come with the sophomore album, called Hroptatyr, having a total running time of forty two minutes.
The band labels his style as Viking Metal, which isn’t that uncommon at all in Germania. But it might lead to an approach does not surprise anymore too. And honestly, I am afraid it goes this way.
But before starting to cry, let’s focus on the self-called album in its most objective presence, if possible. Well, to start I will mention the splendid introduction. Short, but very, very satisfying. And as from then on, we have, well, let’s be honest, we have not a bad kind of sonic pleasure here. That’s true. The members play with persuasion, they are very crafted, and the compositions are decent, neat, professional. Besides, the production is very professional, lacking of background noise or dissonant elements.
But it might sound too polished, I am afraid. There will be a huge audience that adores this stuff, and at the same time there will be a lot of Metal fans that may puke (and I know that it is not that nice and decent to do so) while listening to these catchy, polished and clean hymns. This kind of melodic Black / Epic Metal breathes a specific modern (Viking versus modern; how far can it go?) identity, with loads of catchy (and I dare to add: predictable and safe) elements, like the melodic solos, the powerful rhythm, the acoustic intermezzos, the semi-emotional Folk-interludes (with more than just acoustics only; Mannengesang, for example, comes with some fine violin lines, besides the aforementioned acoustic guitars, and the vocals are based on epic choir-melodies filled with emotion), or the trusted tempo-changes. It leaves me confused, for this album has more than just a handful of details that are highly acceptable; but the catchiness and lacking-of-balls-mentality, at the other hand, pisses me off. But then again, a positive thing is the optimism within the variation. Besides integer, quasi-emotive passages, the album also includes pieces of victorious joy to feast on enemy’s defeat.
But those who like, well, let’s say everything in the vein of Thrudvangar, Equilibrium, Menhir, Obscurity, Tyr etc. will probably appreciate this material.