Hamferð - Men Gu​ð​s hond er sterk (2024)

As one of the most expected releases of 2024, “Men Gu​ð​s hond er sterk” marks the return of Hamferð and their highly melancholic and fatalistic Melodic/Death Doom Metal. Featuring eight tracks and nearly 45 minutes of heartbreaking music, this release oozes waves of melancholy and misery. Perfectly blending emotive clean vocals, doomy riffs, and deep growls, this release is the perfect medicine for those of us that don’t want winter to be over.

The release quickly sets a powerful atmosphere with the piercing riffs of “Ábær”, immediately followed by deep growls and a punishing sense of aggression that suddenly transitions into melancholy thanks to the clean vocals. Perfectly balancing light and darkness in their songs, pieces like “Rikin”, “Marrusorg”, and “Glæman” masterfully weave fast paced passages with more melodramatic interludes of minimalist percussions and weeping lead guitars.

However, the release is quite heavy, with songs like “Í hamferð” delivering some dissonant wall of guitars to offset the dramatic clean vocals and keyboard atmospherics. With all lyrics and song titles being Faroese, the band adds that extra layer of mystery and uniqueness to their music, making songs like “Fendreygar” a very special and enveloping musical experience.

Closing with the solemn title track, Hamferð demonstrates that they are masters at creating dramatic and engaging atmospheres, mixing influences of multiple genres while crafting their own unique style. The band excels at transmitting vibes of desolation and hopelessness with their music, and with “Men Gu​ð​s hond er sterk” they take things to a whole new level.

Label: Metal Blade Records

Release: March 22nd, 2024

Genre: Melodic Death/Doom Metal

Country: Faroe Islands