Nordmen ‎"Nordmen" CD

Although I'm a fan of Athros' band Forteresse, this EP was the first thing I'd heard from his lesser-known project Nordmen and I came away from it with mixed reactions. On one hand, it has some great stirring melodies and also moments of charming simplicity that help make black metal such a great genre for me, but it also falls apart at times and leaves the listener wanting a little more.
Those familiar with Forteresse should notice some similarities in this music - there are lots of straight-forward rhythms and melodic leads played over relatively simple chord progressions. At times, it's incredibly effective at creating a sober, sincere mood that translates well to the listener, but at other times it can get a bit dull. The music includes a few folk and atmospheric elements that do a great job of adding to the feeling of the album, as well.
Sound-wise, the album leaves a bit to be desired. I know black metal has always been about having a "bad" sound, but this is something different. It's not cohesive - the guitar sound is appropriately buzzy, but it is not cohesive with the sound of the drums, which are oddly prominent and clear-sounding on most of this EP. Not to say the sound here is terrible or something that detracts from the music, but it is a bit underwhelming for the power the music could project. The bass guitar (if there is any), is virtually non-existent, too, which doesn't help things out at all.
Despite my criticisms of this EP, it really is a decent release with some great moments in my opinion. I also realize that it is just an EP, and in most cases, I would not judge a band based on an EP when they already have a full-length out. So, I say this is a decent effort with room for growth, but also showing a good bit of merit.

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