Album Academy

Let’s give Sylvaine a quick shout out. Hailing from Oslo, Norway, this ABSOLUTE badass has created incredible albums ranging from melodic black metal vibes to nearly pure vocals. It’s all composed and played by her. (Pretty sure she also mixes and masters every album but don’t quote me on that.) 

I’m going to focus on her newest, EP Eg Er Framand. This album is very light on the instrumentation. The first song starts with a haunting organ that slowly raises louder and louder but never so much that it overpowers her incredibly angelic voice. Truly this album sounds like it should ONLY be sung over the hills of Norway. That won’t stop me from listening to it all day every day no matter where I’m at. 

While many of her albums show her prowess in a very unique genre. Eg Er Framand is a temple to her voice. It’s a rare and beautiful ability to harmonize with oneself as beautifully as she does. A beautiful tenor gives way to a soft, yet sharp soprano in various phrases through the album. 

Honestly, I could write forever about this EP but there are truly no words to describe it and do it justice. Whether you’re looking for a great album to sleep to, something for a dnd campaign, or to deeply feel your Norwegian roots (whether you have them or not,) This album will definitely get you where you need to go. This is an album I highly recommend sitting in the grass and staring at the stars too. Take yourself back to an ancient time and ponder the stars, ponder what brings us all here. 

Sylvaine does an incredible job of story-telling across every album. Eg Er Framand is no exception. Whether or not you speak the language, you can truly feel the emotions she is trying to evoke. Especially when you close your eyes. Solemn battlefields, still burning. Ships turned to shards. Faeries dancing in the wind. Gods crying. I mean, that all might just be me, but… This is my blog and you’re reading it so that’s what you get. 

But like I said above, there’s not much I can say about this album. I can only truly tell you that… You need to listen to it. Comment below what you think and what albums you’d like to see me review!