Review by JD on May 6, 2011.

Hymir is the name of a sea-giant who lives at the very edge of heaven as it been told in the ages past Norse Mythology. It is also the name of a Netherlands based metal band that plays aggressive Black Metal that is fortified with a good dose of Death Metal as well. Why would a band take such a name for their moniker? Let me tell you.

The Netherlands have been producing some very interesting metal lately, some of which I have been pleasantly surprised with. I was having some high expectations for this five piece band to really impress me. I would have to say that this band not only has reached that expectation I had. They have ran at me full out... knocked me on my ass, ran right over me without blinking and left me for dead. The aftermath was plain to see, I did see the giant that basically crushed me.

With song material like 'Let The World Be Cold' striking you with every blunt and heartless word it is made with, then adding to everything the very looming wall of death and relentless pain the song 'Soul Monolith' can create - the work Hymir put into it shows through. Each sentence or guitar line they create is crafted to create that shadowy and forbidding world of pain and intense torment, a place that good people fear to even find in their nightmares

Hymir has made a indelible impression on me, Black and Death Metal coming together like it did made me a happier metalhead after one listen. The album name means to be afraid if the dark... Hymir’s peers should be afraid of them, they are out to take over.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.7 out of 10