Asa cover

Asa

Falkenbach · 2013

60 min · 13 tracks · black metal

A haunting blend of atmospheric black metal and folk melodies that evokes ancient Nordic landscapes and timeless sagas.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Eweroun — This track showcases a masterful blend of melodic guitar work and atmospheric elements, encapsulating the album's essence while highlighting Falkenbach's lyrical storytelling rooted in Norse mythology.
  • →
    Beloved Feral Winter — Its haunting melodies paired with powerful vocals create an immersive experience that captures the raw emotion and depth characteristic of Falkenbach's music, making it a standout track.
  • →
    Return to Ultima Thule — The song features a driving rhythm interspersed with folk-inspired instrumentation, reflecting the band's ability to weave historical themes into their sound while maintaining a vibrant energy.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Asa blends atmospheric black metal with folk elements, showcasing intricate compositions and a strong sense of identity.

What we noticed

  • The album features layered guitar textures that create a dense, atmospheric soundscape, often accompanied by melodic folk instrumentation.
  • Vocals alternate between harsh black metal screams and clean, melodic singing, enhancing the contrast between aggression and serenity.
  • Several tracks incorporate traditional folk instruments, which are interwoven with the heavy guitar riffs, adding depth to the overall sound.
  • The pacing varies significantly; some tracks build slowly over several minutes before reaching climactic peaks, while others maintain a more consistent tempo.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • I nattens stilta

    During this part, the lyrics shift from reflective internal dialogue to vivid imagery depicting nature's beauty intertwined with spiritual elements.

    This transition underscores the connection between the natural world and personal introspection, enhancing the song's thematic layers through rich descriptive language.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Vaer stjernar vaerdan 4:39
  • 2 Wulfarweijd 3:52
  • 3 Mijn laezt wourd 3:45
  • 4 Bronzen embrace 4:01
  • 5 Eweroun 5:49
  • 6 I nattens stilta 6:24
  • 7 Bluot fuër bluot 3:58
  • 8 Stikke wound 2:57
  • 9 Ufirstanan folk 5:53

Disc 2

  • 1 Beloved Feral Winter 5:10
  • 2 En lintinbluitin faran... 4:46
  • 3 Return to Ultima Thule 3:25
  • 4 I svertar sunna luihtint 5:59

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata