This epic metal band was formed in the early 90's by the sole two members still making up Ereb Altor. Growing up having Bathory's epic era in our hearts it was inevitable that the music we created somehow was going to be influenced by our house gods. Having Bathory's music as a foundation we created our own branch of this so called "epic viking metal" genre. Lyric-wise the topics differed slightly.
After a break lasting over a decade due to being busy with other bands we decided to breathe life into this sleeping beauty. A recording was done late 2003 with some of the over ten years old songs (slightly modified). New songs and future releases is not unlikely to emerge.
Possible live-shows with session musicians is in progress.
1. The Gathering of Witches 05:39
2. Dance of Darkness 06:19
3. Dispellation 06:41
4. Boatmans Call 05:38
5. The Mistress of Wisdom 08:25
6. I Djupet Så Svart 06:15
7. Seven 06:11
Quote:
For any of you who managed to read my rather lengthy almost essay like review of Skalmold’s debut album ‘Baldur’, you’ll know that I have a deep love for all things Viking, the folklore, history and the sagas. So if a band was to come along and combine this love with my second such devotion, that being all things down tuned and Doom Metal, I’m sure you can imagine just how happy I’d be.
Step into the light Sweden’s Viking Doom Metal band EREB ALTOR, a side project if you like for Isole members Mats and Ragnar, who have combined my two loves and put it all together into this, their third full length album entitled ‘Gastrike’. Now their debut album ‘By Honour’ back in 2008 was received extremely well and got many rave reviews and their sophomore effort ‘The End’ also had people talking very favourably, so third time around Ereb Altor have given themselves a real challenge to both match and soar past their past achievements.
Opening track ‘The Gathering Of Witches’ starts with the briefest of haunting introductions before blazing into a catchy groove laden riff-fest, grinding melodies and harsh raw almost Black Metal vocals. With a drumming style that mixes blast beats and double kick, Ereb Altor come across as seriously aggressive and heavy. ‘Dance Of Darkness’ is all together more venomous, slower and darker kind of beast which is more Black than Doom Metal whilst ‘Dispellation’ continues Ereb Altors longing for more desolate and bleak haunting atmospheres.
The musicianship is outstanding as is the song writing and structure, but then as an Isole side project would you really expect anything less? Their music doesn’t so much flow, as soars high and proudly with vast harmonies reaching the stratosphere on a regular basis. Throughout the entire album there is darkness, high quality and music of the highest and bleakest order. ‘Gastrike’ is yet another feather in Ereb Altor’s collective cap!
/ XBTT (1) by Dejavu