​Review of Grift’s EP "Vilsna Andars Boning"
— 8/10

Well, this is a change from the music that I've selected to review recently!

I can't say I've ever been an avid follower of folk, there's some Death in June that I can enjoy, I was impressed by Borknagar's "Origins" when it came out and Ulver’s "Kveldssanger" is an album that is in a steady rotation in my listening habits every few months. I much prefer straight folk to the metal hybrids that come around from time to time like Korpiklaani and Ensiferum.

"Vilsna Andars Boning" two tracks are fantastic; melodic, delicate and melancholy. The sparse instrumentation of primarily one guitar and vocals is haunting and beautiful in its simplicity. There is a subtle interplay when new instruments are introduced, "Bortom Berget" starts with the most instrumentation on the EP with some light percussion, horns and chiming bells before swaying into a jangly acoustic rhythm. "Dårarnas massiv" has a far bleaker and morose mood with Erik's rolled R's and haunting moans imbuing the tracks with a incredibly somber feel.

Listen to also: Grift's 2nd full-length record "Arvet"

This EP has been enough to convince me to check out the rest of Grift's catalogue, I could comfortably listen to a full album of these kinds of slow, sad, chiming songs all day.

"Vilsna Andars Boning" comes out on April 6 via the Swedish independent label Nordvis. Pre-order is available here.

Reviewed by Dan