Freya slays Valhalla’s core

By Eric Jaen
Collegian Editor
February 7, 2007

After the demise of the legendary hardcore act Earth Crisis in 2001, frontman Karl Buechner, along with fellow bandmates Erick and Ian Edwards, went on to form the band now known as Freya. In 2003, the group released their debut album, As The Last Light Drains, on Victory Records. The record was well-received from critics, but left some long-time Earth Crisis fans questioning the new project.

The sound was a unique blend of the former band’s aggressive metallic hardcore style with a small dose of melodious, clean vocals, matched with a pinch of Deftones-esque rock. The album was quickly followed by a split CD with the Sacramento-based band Hoods. The material found on this disc contained a more fine-tuned, darker and powerful sound than the previous record, which left fans with a small taste of what to expect on their new effort, Lift The Curse.

Upon first listen of Lift The Curse, it is probably safe to assume that those who have heard the first release would agree that Freya has taken a completely different direction, and went with a sound a bit more reminiscent of the ol’ Earth Crisis days. This new endeavor in songwriting could be attributed to the departure of guitarist Darian Lizotte, who provided the melodic singing on As The Last Light Drains. Furthermore, with the addition of Dennis Merrick on drums, four-fifths of the band’s lineup now consists of ex-Earth Crisis members.

The album kicks off with the opening track “Threads Of Life” followed by the brutal onslaught known as “Suffer Not Alone.” The sick-nasty guitar riffs on these specific numbers, courtesy of the Edwards brothers, would make any listener eager to play a quick game of Guitar Hero II, then angry when they realize those songs are not included.

Those looking for something more along the lines of Freya’s older material will most likely be satisfied with “Lilith,” which features the first instance of clean vocals on the entire album. “Born In Blood” is another standout gem that is sure to knock you on your behind. It is a very impressive, well-arranged track that combines the perfect mix of aggression and beauty that really shows off their knack for songwriting.

One of the strongest elements of the album is without a doubt Buechner’s throaty, emotional vocals, which prove that after nearly two decades he is still one of the best in the business, abstaining from sounding obnoxious or too repetitive. The lyrics are well written as well, and, like the past two releases, are filled with various images from Norse mythology. Within these words lie honest messages of hope and an empathetic cry about personal struggles and life’s obstacles. The title track alone contains one of many memorable lines with, “Lift the curse from my life. Free me from this misery.”

After nine tracks of solid original tunes from Freya, fans are in for a treat with a cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” With this rendition, the band opted to add their own style and sound while still staying true to the original version, making it a fun and enjoyable listen.

Lift The Curse is filled with energy and angst, and will be one of Victory’s best releases of 2007. Older Earth Crisis fans should definitely give this album a shot, while those looking to get into Freya will find this to be a more than suitable introduction.

jaene1@lasalle.edu