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As their ethereal voices echo across the mountain ranges and through the meandering vastness of the Norwegian fjords, KALANDRA plunge us deep into the depths of Norse Scandinavia, filled with the magic, myth and power of the gods and goddesses of Asgard, Vanir and Hel. Composed as the official soundtrack for the strategic side scroller Kingdom Two Crowns: Norse Lands game, the album sees the band take on a new challenge, expanding and developing the game’s soundtrack to give it a celestial Norse feel.
Players of Kingdom Two Crowns: Norse Lands can unleash the various abilities of the Norse Gods, control powerful mythic forces alongside building Viking-inspired armaments and solving puzzles. Working their own sound into a game world that already has its own mythos and lore beloved by its players was a challenge in itself, but KALANDRA embraced it. In only their second studio album release, the band have created a soundtrack fit for mighty Odin’s hall, Valhalla.
The world was first introduced to KALANDRA‘s talent for writing songs loaded with ethereal, evocative melodies wrapped up in immensely immersive, evocative soundscapes on their debut release The Line. With this in mind, KALANDRA have made sure they’ve incorporated these core elements of their sound into the Kingdom Two Crowns: Norse Lands Soundtrack. As a result the album offers up a beautifully holistic listening experience for players and non-players alike, providing an epic journey through the depths of the Norse lands and back.
Each song fades into the other, interacting and evolving together using the album’s central theme to create something that engulfs your imagination with picturesque scenes of the great North. The band have also collaborated with Norwegian folk musicians John Stenersen and Kenneth Lien to bring in elements of older Scandinavian instruments such as Hurdy-Gurdy, Nyckelharpa and Moraharpa. This adds an extra layer of depth and authenticity to an album that is already diversely multi-textured in the most rich and exquisite ways. With the game’s setting in 1000 AD, the folk elements help give the music a distinct sense of place and time, in a cold world where things are uncertain.
The album is very dynamic and dramatic in its approach; in order to fit in with the timescales of the game, the band had to extend and do new mixes to revamp the original score into what they wanted it to be whilst weaving in their own sound. Every song shifts and evolves to suit the purpose of the game at that current moment, but it works phenomenally well as a stand alone album without the visuals of the game. To be able to craft something of this magnitude that offers the same enjoyment experience to players and non-players requires something special and KALANDRA have achieved that seemingly effortlessly.
Skogtroll is the jauntiest song on the album, with its flute-like melody reminiscent of a mead hall party song, whilst Ferden imbues you with the spirit of adventure and wonder, urging you to go out and soak in the magic and wonder of the world. Outside of that, the album is hauntingly beautiful and eerily atmospheric; Mørke Skoger takes on a WARDRUNA-style influence with its pounding rhythms and moody string instruments, whereas Synnavind feels inspired by the likes of Irish singer ENYA and Irish folk band CLANNAD. With its choral vocals and mystical instrumentation it is a moment of calm in an otherwise epic heroic narrative.
The album’s leading single Helheim offers the closet glimpse to the contemporary KALANDRA found on The Line. Tentatively building the atmosphere before exploding into life with deep vocal harmonies and soaring lead melodies, the band utilise varying dynamics to create an action packed song. By comparison, the album’s closer Valkyrja is a magnificently eldritch choral song that will make you feel like the valkyries are carrying your battle-worn spirit to the Allfather himself. Similarly, album opener Eikthyrnir sets the scene as you can feel Katrine Stenbekk’s enchanting vocals carry on the icy winter winds.
Simply put, this is an album to get lost in and love with all your heart. Wether you are playing Kingdom Two Crowns: Norse Lands or adventuring in your imagination, there is no better soundtrack than this. Enchanting and captivating in equal measure, KALANDRA have shown that they’re not only brilliant songwriters but masterful composers as well.
Rating: 8/10
Kingdom Two Crowns: Norse Lands Soundtrack (Extended) is set for release on April 8th via By Norse.
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