Top tracks — play these first
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Svik — This track exemplifies the album's interplay between melodic folk elements and heavier rock influences, creating an engaging narrative through dynamic shifts in tempo.
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Hemnarsverdet — With its longer runtime, this song explores deeper musical themes and showcases the band's complex arrangements while drawing on Norse mythology.
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Kjærleik — A poignant ballad that highlights the band's lyrical depth, combining emotional resonance with rich instrumentation that encapsulates the essence of love.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Nord effectively blends folk and progressive rock elements, showcasing strong craftsmanship and distinctiveness.
What we noticed
- Each track features layered vocal harmonies that intertwine with the instrumentation, creating a rich auditory texture.
- The final track concludes with an extended instrumental section that gradually fades out, leaving a lingering sense of atmosphere.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady progression with emotional peaks
- mythic storytelling through immersive soundscapes
- haunting melodies for reflective moments
- captivating narratives inviting full attention
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy, cohesive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2021, Nord is Gåte's first studio album in nearly two decades, following their 2002 album, Iselilja. The band reformed in 2019, aiming to blend their signature folk metal sound with contemporary elements, marking a significant return to the music scene after years of hiatus.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Wardruna· Korpiklaani· Eluveitie
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Hemnarsverdet
The narrative shifts from personal reflection to recounting an epic tale of vengeance as ancestral spirits are invoked.
This structural choice amplifies the dramatic tension, pulling listeners into a folkloric saga that intertwines personal stakes with broader cultural myths.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Solfager og Ormekongen 4:54
- 2 Svik 4:59
- 3 Hemnarsverdet 7:15
- 4 Horpa 3:16
- 5 Talande Tunger 2:24
- 6 Rideboll og Gullborg 3:56
- 7 Sigurd og Trollbrura 4:11
- 8 Kjærleik 6:23
- 9 Jomfrua Ingebjørg 4:28
- 10 Sjåaren 5:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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