Hamferð’s slavish devotion to pristine technique and execution on Támsins likam (Metal Blade) becomes abundantly clear merely minutes into it. It’s got the type of laser-focus that may not be feasible for other metal musicians. It’s so well-formed and thought through that it could slightly border on predictable for some listeners. And it’s all well and good to feel that way, but this reviewer enjoys a good Doom Metal album that’s been properly mapped out and won’t run way passed its welcome.

So, while I like the Doom, this is my first brush with Hamferð who call the Faroe Islands home just within the Kingdom of Denmark. Maybe it’s that frigid and isolated location that permitted Hamferð to hone their trade to the point that garnered early buzz from Kerrang! and win Wacken Metal Battle Føroyar in 2012. And well-earned praise it was as this Faroese unit kicks its second full length off with ‘Fylgisflog’ which borders on ten minutes but through endless dynamic shifts never wastes a second of your time. ‘Stygd’ picks up right after with its grim choir, death growls and guitars that sound like Slayer’s ‘South of Heaven’ after several performance enhancement cycles.

And that grim ambiance hangs around in spades during ‘Tvístevndur meldur’ with pounding riffs and throbbing bass lines. But right before the ship is completely sunk, vocalist Jón Aldará flashes some light with anthemic clean vocals and Remi Kofoed Johannesen sneaks in some flashy drum fills. That ability to quickly switch dynamics is used abundantly on Támsins likam which may lead some to believe to be predictable or safe. But that seems like an oversimplification, as if you stick with the album you’ll notice that ‘Frosthvarv’ dares to keep things mostly low-key and acoustic and ‘Hon syndrast’ runs headfirst into Black Metal, blast beats and all.

Támsins likam is an album for other metal musicians to learn from. Don’t worry about perception or reinvention as much as you should quality and consistency.

8.0/10

HANS LOPEZ