As it is, Fejd plug away with their less metallic/more folk approach and they just keep getting better and better with each release. With Nagelfar, the band has hit their creative stride as the album is stellar from start to finish. As with each of the three previous albums from their catalogue, Fejd focus almost exclusively on creating as authentic a folk sound as possible, making the overall feel almost non-metal.

Though the group plays plenty of drums, guitars and bass, the overwhelming majority of their output is in the acoustic vein. With that said, Fejd also fuse instruments like the Jew’s harp, Swedish bagpipes, recorder, bouzouki, willow-pipe and moraharpa, making for an eclectic mix of acoustic metal and as-traditional-as-can-be folk music. Naturally, the lyrics are all sung in their native Swedish, adding even more relevance to their art.

Each of the nine songs on Nagelfar follow a similar blueprint of slower, melodic passages backed by a constantly haunting underbelly, though it’s not the sort of creepy, ominous type. Instead, the atmosphere that just oozes organically from the music is haunting in the sense of that almost indescribable feeling of dark serenity while walking through a dense fog. Yes, it sounds beyond cheesy and cliché, but that’s the sort of underlying vibe each of the tracks boasts.

While there isn’t a weak song in the bunch, the two standout tracks are easily the infectious, remarkable “Den Skimrande” and the brooding “Fjarrskadaren”. Both passages ebb and flow seamlessly between sweeping melodies and a sense of urgency both musically and vocally, though neither track ever truly reach their zeniths, making whatever the crescendo builds to seem that much more elusive. However, the charm within each is that neither song feels incomplete. Rather, they instantly make the listener want more, of the unobtainable closure that makes them even more inviting with each listen.

Naturally, something like Nagelfar from a band like Fejd is not for everybody. Those who fancy themselves fans of Scandinavian folk music (not folk metal, but folk music) should instantly latch onto this. The metalheads out there who aren’t too stubborn or “kvlt”, those who are always in search of something unique, have probably already found the splendor of Fejd’s music. If not, it’s highly recommended that those of that ilk seek out this album and then work backwards.

Fejd consists of members from Swedish bands Nostradameus and Pathos who teamed up with folk duo Patrik and Niklas Rimmerfors. The band has been around since the early millennium, (apparently childhood friends) and has released three demos in their eight year existence with Storm being their debut on Napalm Records. The music is pure Nordic Medieval Folk with traditional instruments and sung in native tongue. Honestly, if you’re looking to hear straight up Scandinavian Folk then this is one of the best CDs you could find. The music is really done well and can be catchy at times. Swedish bagpipes, Jews Harp, Bouzouki, Keyed Fiddle, Cow horn, Wooden Whistle, and Willow Pipes are used to create this organic atmosphere.

Storm carries a heavy sound for a band with no distorted guitars. It’s throbbing and eager at times and it isn’t a far stretch of the imagination to hear how a more extreme metal sound would fit. Dark and hypnotic the music can be described as very atmospheric and mystical. If Renaissance festivals are your thing, make Storm the theme music for your next venture. Vocals are executed with a raucous edge full of chants and twists of the tongue, telling stories of local folklore and legends. Beautiful female vocals can also be heard numerous times.

Comparing bands such as Korpiklaani to Fejd would be somewhat cogent except the fact that Fejd is darker and not as excitable. Although, there are many tunes with an upbeat feel, you won’t be dancing the jig quite like you would with Korpiklaani’s alcohol soaked galas.

So, Fejd’s Storm is not a metal record, yet it’s done very well. The question is how open-minded of a metal head are you and would you welcome this type of culture into your collection. Fans of Eluveitie’s latest output should fully embrace Fejd. The rest of us will be left scratching our heads. After listening to this I need full metal brutality. Bring on the death metal please.