Förbundet

Förbundet is the seventh studio album by the Swedish folk rock band Garmarna. Released in 2020, it is their first album on the Season of Mist label. Other than the previous album 6, Förbundet is again dominated by traditional instruments, melodies and lyrics, although there are still numerous electronic influences. These were added in cooperation with Christopher Juul of Heilung who also produced the album. Most tracks tell sinister folklore stories but the album includes two original titles written entirely by Garmarna.[1] Anders Norudde of Hedningarna, Maria Franz of Heilung and Swedish folk singer Ulf Gruvberg appear as guest musicians.[2]

Förbundet
Studio album by
Garmarna
Released6 November 2020
GenreFolk rock, Folktronica
Length41:52
LabelSeason of Mist
ProducerStefan Brisland-Ferner, Christopher Juul
Garmarna chronology
6
(2016)		 Förbundet
(2020)

Themes

The album focuses on dark folklore and on themes like departure, jealousy, old age, longing and tristesse.[3][4] E.g. the first track and first single of the album references the fierce warrior Ramunder who, according to the band, "likes to smite his enemies out of pure joy."[5]

Reception

Förbundet received mostly favourable professional reviews. Metal Hammer Portugal praised the work of lead singer Emma Härdelin and wrote that the album likened releases by Liz Fraser and the Cocteau Twins. According to their reviewer, "Förbundet comes at a time when we most need shamanic rhythms in a call to unite the tribes."[3] The Sonic Seducer stated that the album constantly displayed a high artistic level in a musical mix that was unique to Garmarna.[1] The Swedish Lira magazine called Förbundet the best Garmarna album since Guds spelemän (1996) and also mentioned Garmarna's "unique signature".[4] Dagens Nyheter, however, wrote that Garmana had lost their orientation on an album that was "clinically devoid of warmth".[6]

Track listing

There are nine tracks on this album most of which are adaptations of traditional themes.[2]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ramunder" (feat. Anders Norudde)traditional, Stefan Brisland-Ferner4:58
2."Två Systrar (Two Sisters)" (feat. Maria Franz)trad., Brisland-Ferner, Emma Härdelin, Jens Höglin5:53
3."Dagen Flyr (The Day is flying by)"trad., Brisland-Ferner3:51
4."Sven i Rosengård (Sven of Rosengård)"trad., Brisland-Ferner5:25
5."Ur världen att gå (Leaving this World)"trad., Brisland-Ferner, Härdelin4:52
6."Vägskäl (Crossing)"Brisland-Ferner, Härdelin4:56
7."Lussi Lilla (Little Lussi)" (feat. Ulf Gruvberg)trad., Brisland-Ferner, Folk & Rackare4:35
8."Avskedet (Departure)"trad., Brisland-Ferner, Härdelin5:27
9."Din Grav (Your Grave)"Brisland-Ferner, Härdelin1:56
Total length:41:52

Personnel

Apart from the core members of Garmarna, Förbundet was recorded together with three guest musicians.[2]

Music
Garmarna
  • Emma Härdelin: vocals, violin
  • Stefan Brisland-Ferner: violin, viola, hurdy-gurdy, Nordic bowed harp, moraharpa, kantele, guitar, electronics, vocals
  • Gotte Ringqvist: acoustic guitars, Hardanger fiddle, vocals
  • Rickard Westman: guitar, bass
  • Jens Höglin: drums, electronics
Guests
  • Anders Norudde: moraharpa
  • Maria Franz: vocals
  • Ulf Gruvberg: vocals

Production
  • Stefan Brisland-Ferner
  • Christopher Juul

References
  1. Blach, Sascha (2020). "Garmarna: Förbundet". Sonic Seducer (in German). No. 11. p. 80.
  2. Förbundet (Media notes). Garmarna. Season of Mist. p. 14.CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. Rolo, João (4 November 2020). "Garmarna – Förbundet". Metal Hammer (in Portuguese). Retrieved 23 November 2020. 'Förbundet' surge quando mais necessitamos de ritmos xamânicos num chamamento à união das tribos.
  4. Klockljung, Rasmus (5 November 2020). "Garmarna: Förbundet". Lira (in Swedish). Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  5. "So klingt das 'Comeback': Garmarna releasen neue Single 'Ramunder'". Sonic Seducer (in German). 26 August 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  6. Tidholm, Po (8 November 2020). "Garmarnas nya album är kliniskt befriat från värme". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 23 November 2020.
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