'I en tid som var' (EP 2002)



Scroll down for reviews of 'I en tid som var'.
Click titles for lyrics.
Click "MP3" for a full version of the song in 128 kbps.

1. Arv (MP3 6.5 Mb)
2. I en tid som var... (MP3 3.9 Mb)
3. Yggdrasil (MP3 2.9 Mb)
4. Ryttaren [instr] (MP3 3.5 Mb)
5. Arv [Edited version] (MP3 4.4 Mb)

Reviews of 'I en tid som var...'

Fejd - I en tid som var (100/100)
(from www.metal-archives.com)

Relatively unknown, however

Discovering this band was a complete and utter fluke to be completely honest. I was in the midst of acquiring some new music and i proceeded to browse some random folk based metal bands that i may not have heard of. Along the seemingly endless returned search from this very site when i searched for "folk" was a simple band from sweden called FEJD.

The name itself intrigued me so i clicked the link and browsed over their basic stats. I then realized these guys have only released demos, from sweden no less. This meant a agnoizing online search for these two unheard demos. And eventually i acquired both demons and began my listening experience.

"I En Tid Som Var" is guaranteed to be one of the unfortunate unknown masterpieces of modern times. Its really a shame that they will remain in such obscurity. I mean sure, a lot of non english speaking bands have made it big in metal i.e. Finntroll, Schandmaul, Early Dimmu Borgir but FEJD possess something extemely different from all those bands.

Basically they are not really derivative of anything but their native sounds. You can spot nearly NO westernized influence in this music, and thats the beauty part. They are not part of a scene or a strict genre in that case, they are FEJD and nothing more. This is something VERY few bands have accomplised when you think of the magnitude of the music scene worldwide. But I fear their swedish folk rock, metal (whatever you want to brand it) will never be truely appreciated for the sheer brilliance of it all.

The musicianship is near impeccable and he originality flows from all ends. A barage of ethnic and well known instruments are utilized within this short, but very sweet album. Such raw feeling and emotion emerges through this music, from the intense and extremely vaired rythm section to the almost tribal like vocals, really unlike anything I've heard before. These guys are the REAL fucking deal and this is what should be filling 50,000 seat arenas and not fucking Papa Roach or Coldplay.

If you happen to find this album whether it be online or purchase, cherish it like gold because that is what it truely is.

NocturnalToke



Fejd - Huldran (95/100)
(from www.metal-archives.com)

One of the most underated albums on the archives

I don't understand why more people don't know about this band. I don't know much about folk but as soon as I heard these guys I knew I was in for a treat. I En Tid Som Var is an album of epic proportions, the musical flow to this album is incredible. A song by song review is in order.

The first track "Arv" starts out with a nice high speed Bouzouki intro then the drums come in, the drumming sounds very metal and really pumps energy into the song. Things slow back down as Patrik goes into a soothing vocal line which eventually becomes doubled as things pick back up. This is the song that got me into the band and probably it's the albums strongest track.

Next is "I en tid som var" things start off slow with some nice Moraharpa in the background. The singing here is a little to raspy for my liking, but then again thats what makes this album so damn believable. Close to the 3:00 mark the drumming kicks in as the song builds anticipation, but to the listeners suprise a nice little instrumental solo of sorts comes in and ends the song. What, you weren't expecting a distorted riff were you?

"Yggdrasil" starts off much more light hearted then the previous songs courtesy of the lively Moraharpa. It's full of slow interludes that consist of vocals and keyboards which go right back into the carefree intro. The drumming here really impressed me, it manages to change perfectly with the other insturments and overall tends to be very folk like. Quite impressive from a metal drummer. Near the end there's some kind of strange fill that sounds like a fretless bass to me, it doesnt add much to the song but certainly doesn't detract from it.

"Ryttaren" seem's to continue where "Yggdrasil" left off, a light hearted happy song that you would expect to hear in a midevil movie. This track seems to carry on in no particular direction, but again the drumming is very nice in some parts and the Bouzouki keep's a solid background for the Moraharpa to take lead on. There are no vocals on this one but it seems fitting that way.

Finally we're brought back to "Arv" the Kort version. It's basically the same song just two minutes shorter, so I'm not going to bother describing it. I don't understand why they put this one on there.

I En Tid Som Var is a very solid album, this is coming from someone who know's next to nothing about folk music. The only complaint I can think of, is it would have been nice if the bassist made his presence known more, at times it seem's non-existant and I dont think a bit more low end would have hurt the album. But other than that the production is fine and this is a very enjoyable album.

MetalMessiah9999



Fejd - Huldran (77/100)
(from www.metal-archives.com)

That is what Folk Metal is all about

It is hard to believe that these releases are demos because they sound so damn good. The atmosphere is not nearly as perfect as their second demo but this one is right up there. Anyone who ventures over this release is in for a real treat. The melodies are beautiful (Some are even somewhat sad), the instruments are well placed and played damn near perfectly.

The real shine here is the opening track 'Arv (Lång version)'. Not for the beautiful chorus or the great muscianship but the amazing musical break halfway through the song (and lasts 2 minutes). The melody (and entire song) has epicness written all over it. It's a sad melody that plays out perfect. The excellent drum work doesn't take away from the acoustics and fiddle at all. By the time the chorus comes back you forgot how great it sounds and your once again treated to another great part of the song.

'I En Tid Som Var...' continues the sad melody tone so far created in the demo with it's beautiful fiddle playing. It sounds more like an interlude between songs since it is stuck between two epical masterpieces.

'Yggdrasil' really shows the feeling put into the vocals. They come off powerful and well presented between such a great melody. This song really has probably the best melody on the entire album. If it was put to excellent use such as a 2 minute break where the melody continues on like the first song then this would easily stand out. But none-the-less, the song is still an amazing display at the epicness the band tries to (and does) achieve. The only problem is that it is more of a tease than a full song.

Like 'Ryttaren' shows, any of the songs on this demo could easily be amazing instrumental tracks. Each song shows such great potential that it leaves you wanting so much more. The only problem is that the demo actually does sound like that in the end. A short tease at what is to come. Let's only hope that a full-length release is coming up so the entire epicness the band is can be displayed in full.

GuyOne