Grimner – ‘Stormvingar’

Folk Metal

Despotz Records

Released date – September 4^th 2026

By Smudge Smith

Here we go with some proper folk metal from Grimner who return after four years with a revamped line-up. Singer/guitarist Marcus Asplund Brattberg returns along with a fresh rhythm section of brothers Anton and Axel Elowson. Now our esteemed editor obviously likes to keep me on my toes because Grimner sing in Swedish so with the help of google translate I have done my best to give you the correct translations. Any mistakes are mine and I apologise. The band take their inspiration from their Swedish heritage and norse mythology.

The title track, (‘Storm Wings’) opens with waves on a shore before they tear into a folk/death metal banger which has both clean and harsh vocals. It’s immediately obvious that drummer Anton provides some real drive. ‘Traldomens Far’ (‘Traldomens Father’) is an even bigger banger with some exquisite lines between the guitars, keys and whistles. Of course with these being Swedish they have the gift melody. ‘De Kom Fran Norr’ (‘They Came From The North’) tells a tale of invaders and I don’t think they’ve come for tea and cake! There’s more of that wonderful interplay between the guitars and flute. ‘Dar Mjod Och Hogmod Flodar’ (‘Where Mead And Pride Flow’) starts with a proper folk intro before they crank it up and get going on some proper booze-up metal! Raise your horns of mead and give a toast! We get a wedding song on ‘Ombergs Brud’ (‘Ombergs Bride’) Anton provides a tribal rhythm before the melodic guitar line gives way to a choppy riff and we get the dual vocal thing over some whistles. You might not know what they’re singing about but it doesn’t stop you nodding your head. ‘Irrbloss’ (‘Will-o-the-Wisp’) will have you dancing on the intro before it gets nasty and dark then ‘Runstenen’ (‘Runestone’) is a galloping metal beast with whistles behind the riff and harsh vocals. ‘Nattriderskan’ (‘The Night Rider’) is another banger that will require beer then ‘Volvans Sapdom’ (The Prophecy Of The Volva) – I hope I’ve got that right – brings it down on a folk metal waltz with a shed load of melodies before they rip into some death metal grooves and a wicked riff. Final cut is the moody ‘Hon Gav Dem Undergang’ (She Gave Them Doom’) which ends things with a raucous folk/metal classic.

Not usually my thing but I thoroughly enjoyed this. Other bands should take a listen to this and see how they use both the clean and harsh vocals to great effect. Great riffs, pounding rhythms and beautiful traditional instruments adding colour and melody. Top stuff from this happy horde of Vikings.

For tracklist please see review.