Guden-i-Steinen
Apollon, 2022
8/10
An ethnic post-punk outfit from Norway, Ym:stammen released 6 albums from 1984 to 1997. Guden-i-Steinen, their final and most commercially successful record, lives again here, and it’s remastered and available on vinyl for the first time.
“Gripe” starts the listen with chanting, before warm strings and rhythmic drumming enter the cultured climate of many voices and plenty of instruments, and the title track follows with a firm beat amid the hip-hop influences.
“Store Aleksander”, the biggest hit from the album, lands in the middle and emits a playful and melodic approach of Eastern ideas into the cozy energy, while “Gi Meg Grid” uses spirited acoustic guitar and melodic singing for the jangly album highlight.
Approaching the end, “S.P.Q.R” unfolds with a tribal like presence of iconoclastic song craft, and “Tuse Ars Fortieise” exits the listen with graceful keys, dreamy flute and a rare intimacy that’s delivered with precision.
A fine representation of their Nordic pagan stance, it’s easy to see why they were an influence on the Norwegian black metal scene, and the world music and Iron Age-punk nods are also part of the allure of Ym:Stammen.
Travels well with: Tusmørke- Nordisk Krim; Professor Tip Top- Tomorrow Is Delayed