In the last two years, there was this band from Gothenburg that claimed the vast throne of the local melodic Death Metal scene. NORRSKÖLD released an EP and an album that were received well by yours truly. The music Henrik Bodin-Sköld (a.k.a. Norrsköld) and his band (who like him were in IRRBLOSS before) created filled the gap the originators of the typical sound of Gothenburg left. And it’s not that NORRSKÖLD have been lazy since then, so they’re back again with four new songs for those who still (or right now) love Death Metal spiced with a little Black Metal and a lot of Folk based melodies. “Ridden” is the title of the new EP and it walks the path last year’s “Reflections Of The Night Sky” album took, as well as it shows all the faces of NORRSKÖLD. This means that the opening title track is a fine melodic and fast, yet variable tune, while the instrumental ‘Aerial Fire’ shows the band more diversified. This is a song that would sound better with some vocals, especially when you take into concern that the acoustic, Folk based ‘Timeless Gardens’ is an instrumental again. With ‘Hårgalåten’ we have a fine, Death Metalized interpretation of a Swedish traditional Folk tune. This one sums up the many faces of NORRSKÖLD perfectly, adding an epic aspect as well. I can’t help the feeling that “Ridden” serves as an appetizer for a new album, so it’s not overconfident to expect another fine album from NORRSKÖLD in the distant future that finally puts the on the throne. In the meantime, genre lovers should check the EP at www.facebook.com/norrskold or www.rexiusrecords.com