Emblas Saga
The different voices give Emblas Saga much of its appeal. Brothers of Metal place rough singing beside Ylva Eriksson's clear, powerful melodies. Firm guitars, large keyboard parts and rhythms that seem designed to get a room moving sit underneath. The result is outgoing power metal that tells its stories about Norse gods with obvious enjoyment.
The formula is familiar. The choruses are large, the melodies easy to recognise and the production leaves few rough edges. Even so, the interaction between the voices keeps the music lively. Eriksson can make a chorus grow dramatically, but she is convincing with a quieter melody too. The other voices add weight and a different kind of tension.
Hel has a strong guitar motif and a convincing dramatic character. Theft Of The Hammer takes a more direct, playful approach. It has momentum and a chorus that fits the firm rhythm well. The band do not make the story more complicated than necessary, allowing the melody to carry most of the impact.
Weaver Of Fate brings Eriksson's quieter delivery forward. The ballad gives the record a useful pause and shows that this group can do more than make a large collective noise. The longer title track then takes time over its development and variety. Its broader shape suits the different voices and the band's clear storytelling style.
The songs are not all equally distinctive. Familiar guitar patterns and large vocal layers can sometimes leave you predicting the next move. The influence of other modern power metal bands is clear too. But Emblas Saga does not need to invent a new style to work. The playing is strong, the melodies convincing and the sense of fun remains audible. Above all, it is a very enjoyable album to sing along with loudly.
