What makes Vedergällningen by Garmarna notable?

This album notably helped Garmarna gain international recognition within the folk rock genre, leading to significant festival appearances and collaborations. Critics praised its unique sound, contributing to a revival of interest in Nordic folk traditions during the late 1990s. Vedergällningen is Garmarna's third studio album, released in 1999 following their acclaimed album, Vengeance. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their reputation for innovative interpretations of Swedish folk music, combining traditional elements with contemporary sounds to reach a broader audience.

How many songs are on Vedergällningen?

Vedergällningen has 10 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Vedergällningen

Garmarna · 1999

45 min · 10 tracks · folk rock

A haunting blend of traditional Swedish folk melodies and modern rock instrumentation that conjures a sense of ancient storytelling.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Gamen (Vulture) — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with its eerie instrumentation and evocative lyrics, drawing listeners into Garmarna's world of folklore.
→
Vedergällningen (Vengeance) — The title track powerfully encapsulates the album's themes of retribution and fate through its dynamic arrangement and compelling vocal delivery.
→
Nio år (Nine Years) — This song showcases a poignant narrative centered on loss and longing, enriched by both traditional melodies and modern sensibilities.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

Garmarna's blend of folk melodies with modern rock creates a distinctive sound that rewards repeat listening.

What we noticed

The album opens with a driving rhythm in 'Gamen', featuring layered vocals and traditional instrumentation that sets a dynamic tone.
Tracks like 'Nio år' incorporate both haunting melodies and modern rock elements, creating a contrast between the old and new.
Several tracks feature shifts in tempo and intensity, such as the transition from the energetic 'Sorgsen ton' to the more subdued 'Herr Holkin'.
The final track, 'Brun', concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of atmosphere.

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

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 Gamen (Vulture) 4:01
2 Euchari (Euchari) 4:21
3 Halling Jåron 3:03
4 Vedergällningen (Vengeance) 4:55
5 Nio år (Nine Years) 4:29
6 Sorgsen ton (Stomped Bread) 4:47
7 Herr Holkin 5:17
8 Bläck (Ink) 5:05
9 Polska 3:07
10 Brun (The Robber) 5:57

What to play next

Listen next

Hildegard von Bingen

2001

Go back to

Guds spelemän

1996

Full Garmarna discography Artists like Garmarna

folk rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata