OTYG

Release Year: 1999
Artist Origin: SWE
Style: epic harmonious folk pagan metal

one of Sweden's earliest folk metal entities clearly had no shortage of ideas or inspiration, returning with their second album just over a year after the longplay debut, this time featuring entirely new material rather than reworked demo-era compositions: its twelve tracks showcase more complex, mature and carefully arranged songwriting with greater dynamic contrasts and extended musical developments - Andreas Hedlund continues to explore his distinctive vision of Nordic folk, where the mysteries of nature, trolls, elves and ancient folk superstitions intertwine with traditional tales, while tapestry of traditional instruments like violin, mouth harp, lute, flutes and female vocals brings even more life to these compositions, preserving their light, organic and playful atmosphere, meanwhile, Dio Holy Diver cover comes as rather unexpected surprise, but is convincingly reworked through the emotional lens of Otyg's musical identity; quite rare Austrian edition