UTMARKEN – I gudarnas tjänst, CD Digipak

Swedish band Utmarken blends Scandinavian folk music with classic hard rock/heavy metal, painted upon imagery of the far north, in the domain of the eternal question of what it is to be human. Formed in Västerbotten in 2015, the band has established itself as an appreciated live act, released three albums and surpassed 2 million streams with their latest album.

Where earlier Utmarken releases have focused on the struggle of life, ”I gudarnas tjänst” (eng: In service of the Gods) instead explores the gap between what we wish we had and what we already carry within us: our skills, experience and the lessons life has taught us. Often without a plan. Its title offers a metaphor for choosing to put those gifts to use - even when fear of failure or other people’s judgement makes that difficult. The album turns this reflection into a call to act on who we are, rather than waiting to become someone else.

The album, produced and mixed by Gyllengahm, features long time friend Pär Hulkoff (Raubtier, Hulkoff, Bourbon Boys) adding rough edges with his tagelharpa - and Idun Gyllengahm, daughter of founder Mathias Gyllengahm, on hauntingly beautiful mezzo soprano vocals.

By some labeled folk metal - by others strongly labeled NOT folk metal, Utmarken has established itself as its own, and their audience reaches far outside the typical folk metal domain. Clean vocals and the traditional swedish instrument; nyckelharpa, are still foundational building stones in the soundscape of this album.