ASGARD - In the Ancient Days 12" Vinyl LP Album

Released in 1986, Asgard's "In the Ancient Days" stands as a hidden gem in the European heavy metal landscape. This 12" vinyl LP, while not achieving widespread commercial success, captured the raw energy and melodic sensibilities of the emerging power/thrash metal scene.

Historical Context

The mid-1980s marked a period of intense creativity and innovation in heavy metal. While American and British bands dominated the mainstream, European bands were forging their own path, blending diverse influences and styles. Asgard emerged from the Dutch metal scene, contributing their unique sound to this burgeoning movement.

Musical Exploration

"In the Ancient Days" showcases Asgard's musical exploration within the power/thrash metal genre. The album features a blend of fast-paced, aggressive riffs with soaring vocals and melodic guitar lines. This fusion of power and thrash metal elements created a distinctive sound that resonated with fans of both styles.

Music Genre

Asgard firmly belongs to the power/thrash metal genre, a subgenre that emerged in the mid-1980s, combining the speed and aggression of thrash metal with the melodic sensibilities of power metal. "In the Ancient Days" exemplifies this genre, showcasing its dynamic energy, technical proficiency, and fantastical lyrical themes.

Production Team and Recording Studio

The album was produced by Ingo Nowotny, a German producer known for his work with other heavy metal bands. The recording studio, while not explicitly mentioned, was likely a professional facility that allowed Asgard to capture the full force of their sound.

Dutch extreme metal is a force to be reckoned with, but amidst the brutality of death metal and the atmospheric expanse of black metal, a lesser-known gem lies in the archives: Asgard. This short-lived speed metal band from the mid-80s carved their niche with a blistering brand of metal, leaving behind a legacy of shredding riffs and untamed energy.

Formed in the fertile ground of the European speed metal movement, Asgard unleashed two demos before their sole full-length album, "In the Ancient Days," in the mid-80s. While details remain scarce, the music speaks volumes. Tracks like "Warfare" and "Metalized" (assuming these were from the demos) are likely testaments to their dedication to the genre's core tenets: lightning-fast tempos, soaring vocals, and guitar work that would make your neck ache in the best way possible.

Unlike their Teutonic counterparts, Asgard may not have possessed the same level of technical prowess, but they made up for it with raw aggression and a sense of untamed chaos. Their music, based on the available tracklist, seems to offer a diverse experience. "Witches Brew" at over 7 minutes suggests a potential epic, while "Granadinas" at a mere 1:15 hints at a possible instrumental interlude or a quick burst of energy. Tracks like "Before the Morning," "High Society," and "Metal Tonight" all point towards the band's commitment to speed and adrenaline-pumping anthems.

The reasons behind Asgard's disbandment are lost to time. Perhaps they fell victim to the shifting tides of the metal scene, or maybe the internal fire that fueled their music simply burned out. Regardless, "In the Ancient Days" remains a potent reminder of their short-lived reign.

Unearthing the Lost Tracks

Unfortunately, finding recordings of Asgard's music can be a challenge. The physical copies of "In the Ancient Days" are likely rare collector's items, and digital traces online may be scarce. However, persistent metalheads can keep an eye out on online forums and collectors groups dedicated to preserving obscure metal. The hunt itself might just be part of the allure in rediscovering this lost treasure of Dutch speed metal.