What makes First War of the World by Black Messiah notable?

This album helped solidify Black Messiah's reputation in the viking metal genre, drawing attention for its ambitious concept and intricate compositions. The album received critical acclaim from various metal publications and contributed to the resurgence of interest in folk and viking metal during the late 2000s. Black Messiah's First War of the World marks their second full-length album, following their debut, Sceptre of Black Metal (2005). At this point in their career, the band was establishing themselves within the German metal scene, combining black metal ferocity with folk influences to create a unique blend that would define their sound.

How many songs are on First War of the World?

First War of the World has 13 tracks, running approximately 64 minutes.

First War of the World

Black Messiah · 2009

64 min · 13 tracks · black metal

Epic soundscapes merge with aggressive riffs and traditional folk elements, creating a narrative-driven odyssey of Norse mythology.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Vanir Tribe — This track encapsulates the band's blend of aggressive black metal with melodic folk elements, showcasing powerful riffs intertwined with traditional instrumentation.
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Gullveig — A standout piece with dynamic shifts in tempo and intensity, it explores themes central to Norse mythology while highlighting the band's lyrical storytelling prowess.
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The Battle of Asgaard — This track features an epic arrangement that builds dramatic tension, representing the album’s overarching narrative of conflict and valor within Viking lore.
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Peace at a High Price — At just under a minute long, this interlude serves as a poignant moment of reflection amidst the chaos of war themes present throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's ambitious compositions and cohesive storytelling contribute to its strong presence in the viking metal genre.

What we noticed

The album features lengthy tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for expansive musical development and thematic exploration.
Each song incorporates traditional folk instruments alongside electric guitars, creating a layered sound that blends metal with folk elements.
The narrative structure is evident as the tracks flow into one another, often using orchestral interludes to transition between themes and scenes.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Prologue - The Discovery 2:53
2 The Vanir Tribe 5:54
3 Gullveig 8:09
4 Von Rachsucht und Lüge 5:34
5 March of the Warriors 0:38
6 Vor den Toren Valhalls 6:23
7 The Battle of Asgaard 7:10
8 The Chase 1:20
9 Burn Vanaheimr 5:37
10 Das Unterpfand 5:51
11 Peace at a High Price 0:54
12 Andacht 9:41
13 Söldnerschwein 4:37

What to play next

Listen next

The Final Journey

2012

Go back to

Of Myths and Legends

2006

Full Black Messiah discography Artists like Black Messiah

black metal folk metal viking metal

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