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After much sweaty anticipation and what seems like an eternity, but was actually only two years, the completion of the Folkstorm saga has seen the light of day and finally been released. So the question to be asked is…was it worth the wait? The answer is a resounding Yes and…Yes (ish). You see I’m a 100%, card carrying, ass kissing, fanboy to the prolific output of H Nordvargr and I have no shame in stating that fact. The man can do no wrong in my eyes. Even the patience sapping 8-CD ‘Sleep Therapy’ box set had me quivering with joyous rapture.

"Sweden" is possibly one of the nastiest, sleaziest and aggressive of all Folkstorm recordings. It’s very comparable to the other Nordvargr power electronics project ‘HH9’ in its bludgeoning effect on the senses. No niceties here. Just sheer raw power for hardcore lovers. If you can imagine trying to wade barefoot knee deep through treacle and finding razorblades underfoot you’ll get the immensity of this recording. Sludgy and wince inducing it may be but, ultimately, the journeys worth persevering with. Beauty can be sought through the pain. Definitely not for the faint hearted amongst you. Newbies to the Folkstorm sound would be advised to try out the other recording first before attempting to tackle this cacophony of a mountainous epic. Those of us with stronger constitutions can sit back, relax and enjoy the wall of subtle deafening sound.

One can only hope that Nordvargr does a Jesus and resurrects this project sometime in the future but if that’s not to be then "Sweden" is a fitting epitaph to the Folkstorm project. The King is dead! Long live the King!

ANM