HEDNINGARNA are another example for that, because they have less in common with Metal. On the otherside, I have absolutely no clue when it comes to Folk music and so, I'm totally into dark with this Swedes. But let us start with some historical facts as HEDNINGARNA already exist since 1987 and are not unknown in the scene. As a trio, they wrote the music for the six hours epic "Den Stora Vreden" (translated: "The great wrath", 1988), which was also performed with film director Peter Oscarsson. Only one year after, they released their self-titled debut, three years later it came the follower "Kaksi!" (inclusive two Finnish female vocalists) and in 1993, they won the Swedish Grammy under frenetic applause. On the waves of success and after hundreds of gigs, "Trä" follows in 1994 and HEDNINGARNA could increase their popularity. After the departure of the two female vocalists, Anita Lehtonen takes over this part and in 1997, the album "Hippjock" released, which was made with the help of some good and allegedly famous friends. The last effort of the Swedes is "Karelia Visa" in 1999.

And now they use the best tracks from all that records to place them again on a CD, this time here on "Hedningarna 1989 - 2003". It's a really worthy thing for music freaks, who have never heard something of this band before and who always look for some out of hand stuff. So, this should only appeal to those headbangers, who also listen to music beyond the Heavy Metal genre and who look forward for musical changes. HEDNINGARNA stand for Folk, complete with all the strange appearing instruments, but also modern hints (samples, ...) found their way into the recent records. The quality of the songs is pretty high and grabs instantly your attention. Even my person as a greenhorn in terms of Folk music was inspired of this compositions, they are a welcome change within all the electric guitars and 240 bpm drum salvos and they could also serve some change and entertainment for not so Die Hard Metal freaks. (Online January 30, 2004)