A Grove of Ashes and Aspens

Now Playing: Anger by Tungsten

So, the much awaited fourth studio album from Swedish power metal band Tungsten is here. (I know, it was released on the 8th, but I’ve been busy with other posts that had to go out sooner.) Now, this album is interesting, with almost half of it being released as singles before the main album. (Mostly in the sense of I’m curious about the decision behind that choice, but I’m not complaining.)

I will note that I pre-ordered the vinyl and got it rather early, but I don’t have a record player, so I couldn’t listen to it early. Unfortunate, I know. Either way, it’s here now, so let’s talk about it.

Anger, the opening track, starts with some combined electronic and vaguely symphonic elements, which is very cool. The track also features a harsher tone from Mike, the leader vocalist, as well as some harsh vocals from Karl, the bassist. The entire track fully evokes the titular emotion, in a way invoking the stereotypical image of metalheads being really angry all the time. (Aren’t we all angry sometimes? That’s honestly a bit of an unfair stereotype, but oh well.) Overall, it does bring out an interesting look at that signature Tungsten sound that comes from reaching into a slightly older power metal sound and combining it with other elements to create something entirely new.

Blood of Kings was one of the singles from this album, and one that I loved immediately upon its release. The song has the same feel as their song Northern Lights, almost feeling like it’s dabbling into a more power/folk metal type territory rather than just straight power metal. The track feels a bit mysterious, but in a way that promises a resolution in a later story.

Lullaby was another single from this one, and one that was interesting to me. It is more electronic than the previous two tracks, and the music video reflects that stylistic choice. The song also feels very different from the traditional Tungsten style, but not in a bad way, nor does it feel fully removed from that sound. It promises to bring some new elements to the sound, while also keeping the sound that brought in so many people who are currently fans of the band.

The title track of this album, The Grand Inferno, was also a single, and starts as a ballad, showing off a more lyrical side to Mike’s voice that fits both the band’s previously established style as well as a seeming desire to expand their style and play around with the boundaries of power metal, as well as metal as a larger genre. It fits the album as a whole so far very nicely, and provides a nice link to the past while also indicating a hopeful look forward.

Falling Apart is a more typically metal track, starting with an intense intro that carries that energy further into the song. It keeps their stylistic ideas going while also seeming to dip into a more metalcore sound at times, having a similar feel to Slavic Metal 2 (Nik Nocturnal), though that similarity is almost certainly coincidental and more just a sign of what I tend to listen to. It also seems to incorporate something I tend to really enjoy in the bridge, where it gives a heavier sound to a power metal sound that is traditionally very light and almost pinchy (almost too much so), giving it a much darker sound that I quite like.

Walbog was also a single, being about the coming of spring and the celebrations on honour of the end of winter. It is a little more on the power/folk metal side in terms of feel, but I love it.

Vantablack was another single, being heavily electronic as well. This one didn’t entice me as much as the other singles. It’s still quite good, and I still do quite enjoy it. It’s just more heavy on the electronic side of things than I would typically enjoy in my metal. It is still a very fun track, and I could see this becoming emblematic of a new direction of power metal that some bands will want to explore more. It does also end with a nice section with piano and muted vocals, a sound that deserves way more exploration.

Me, Myself, My Enemy has a very symphonic start, before jumping right into a very metal riff with some nice electronic additions. This track also includes a harsher tone to Mike’s voice at times, bringing in a harsher feel to the overall song that feels quite nice. It brings forward a darker sound that a lot of power metal bands have been bringing forward lately, and I quite like it. Lyrically, it brings forward concerns of a lack of solid direction within oneself, and that has a lot of potential to resonate with a lot of people, especially in the current political and economic climate globally.

Chaos, as a track, has what it says on the tin. It has a more triple time feel (I’m assuming 6/8 or 12/8, but I honestly have no clue), and it feels very fun and fresh. It brings back that sense of exploring beyond their traditional sound as a band to find more of what makes them unique, while also staying true to their core and what they want to create, appealing to both old fans who fell in love with that original sound, and to potential new fans who may be looking for something new. It also shows off the skill of the drummer, Anders Johansson (ex-Hammerfall, ex-Yngve Malmsteen), as a musician, bringing the drum part a bit more forward in the mix. (Their entire discography shows his skills quite nicely, though.)

Sound Of A Violin has a bit more of a folky element to it, which I quite like. (I am a known power/folk fanboy, though, so take that as you will.) The track feels reminiscent of many elements that I also love about bands like Elvenking and Falconer, but with a unique twist to it. It brings to light elements of metal that many listeners tend to overlook, that being the blurriness of the lines and how fun it can be to intentionally reach into that and play with it. That desire to play with the lines is very fun and something I quite enjoy hearing at every turn.

Angel Eyes is the closing track on this album, and I think it makes a strong case for being in such a position off the bat. It ties together all of the elements the band has introduced to their sound to varying degrees, while also making a bit of a return to their original sound, making a statement of what the band wants their sound to be going forward. It feels like a traditional power metal track, while also feeling new and fresh. It gives an interesting perspective on metal and music, and a desire to continue pushing boundaries and creating a new sound.

Overall, this album did not disappoint. It’s fun; it’s dark; it’s heavy; it’s everything I expected from this band, showing off the musical prowess and the passion of everyone involved. It was very worth my time, even if it took me a while to get there, and it will become a permanent part of my favourite albums list.