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Naturbål is the third album I've reviewed from Sweden's long-running Folk Metal band Vintersorg and one that continues down the path the band explored on their last album, 2012's Orkan. Again, we get a mix of musical and vocal styles woven together quite skillfully so the album flows rather well. Acoustic pieces are mixed with (programmed) blast beats and Traditional Metal riffing while clean singing and Black rasps share space and even harmonize. There are even some female vocals, courtesy of former Lapis Lazuli singer Frida Eurenius and newcomer Helena Sofia Lidman. If Naturbål has a downside, it would be sounding so much like Orkan that it does little to distinguish itself from its predecessor. There's nothing wrong with that as Orkan is a fine album but Folk Metal has such a broad palette that it would be nice to see Vintersorg work some other, non-traditional elements into their music. The songwriting is also very good but very "safe."

I enjoy Naturbål when it is on but can't really remember much when it is over, a fact that still won't stop me from recommending it to those who like the Folk Metal style. In addition, anyone who is stuck in the Traditional Metal rut and is looking for a gateway to more extreme forms of music can safely test those waters with Vintersorg's blend of Black and Traditional Metal.