23. Skálmöld - "Ýdalir"

Frantic folk metal done with stunning finesse. This is a bouncy and buoyant joy to behold. Yes, it doesn’t bring anything new to the party but actually, when it is this enjoyable does it need to be treading in any virgin territory? 

Hailing from Iceland this is jaunty Nordic folk expertly spliced with strident traditional metal. The balance between the two is perfectly measured. It exudes potent energy and is one of those records you find yourself humming along with even when you don’t know the songs. Unashamedly exuberant I just loved the heady happiness of this record.