Metal’s boundaries are about as fluid as they’ve ever been. Not that this site is some kind of example to the world, but we commonly highlight music that isn’t necessarily pure metal, but the appeal to listeners in the audience is understandable, and our readers have responded positively because heavy doesn’t always have to pertain to sonic qualities. Metal can embrace all kinds of things, and we do the same.

“Wrapped in Mist” is the debut record from Helga, a band named after its vocalist Helga Gabriel, whose otherworldly voice and approach are intoxicating and refreshing. Gabriel started out in Sweden, ended up in a Viking town in North Yorkshire, and she stretched her understanding of metallic wonders, her incredible voice leading the way. She eventually teamed with the rest of her band—guitarists Cai Sumption and Cameron Gledhill, bassist Ryan Fairclough, who all had played together previously, and drummer/percussionist Sami Javed—to form the union we see and hear today. This record is not full-throttle metal, but it doesn’t need to be. There are plenty of weighty parts, lots of dreams and wonders, and something enrapturing that easily should lure in anyone who loves heaviness but has an open mind.

“Skogen mumlar” opens in a deep murk as Gabriel’s calls echo, the playing chugging and sweeping, strings fluttering. The playing then goes into an exciting prog push, hand claps pace, and dark, melodic calls from Gabriel pull a canopy over the night. “Burden” begins clean, softer singing emerging, the solemnity overwhelming as Gabriel calls over the chorus, “It’s a big world,” something repeated later with greater context. Hazy guitars poke at ’90s alternative rock, melodies add warmth, and Gabriel adds to the chorus, “I’m looking for a friend to share my fears and pain,” as the song sinks into deep darkness. “Water” brings swelling singing and an immersive fog, the dreaminess coming in layers, Gabriel calling, “Water, bountiful water, quenching the thirst of my people.” The hope turns into despair as that vital element is threatened, the call of, “But one day it’s all gone, waters will dry, die,” adding sobering pain. “If Death Comes Now” is soft, lush, and calming, guitars dripping as the gaze is amplified, burning through the atmosphere. The playing collects as progressive winds blow harder, the singing adds muscle, and the track fades away. “Farväl” brings stinging guitars and wrenching cries, Gabriel unleashing shrieks, surfy guitars bouncing over mournful waves. The singing rides along with that, rippling and tearing open, the fierce cries causing devastation, the final notes feeling ominous.

“Alive Again” opens with brighter guitars, even amid a darker flow, Gabriel singing, “You’re the reason why I breathe, you’re the reason why I’m here.” The playing picks up and turns into a flowing surge, lush melodies doing their part in the background, the guitars stimulating raw emotions. “Vast and Wild” starts with chant-like singing, piano dripping, echoey beats bouncing off walls. Strings are plucked as Gabriel points, “Vast and wild, the sea I hear the sound of my heart, wildly beating,” as a poppy, gazey storm brings light rain, percussive energy builds, and the piano notes tingle on your skin. “Som en trumma” lands with darker guitars, punchiness, and a spirited push that makes your adrenaline flow freely. The leads screech as melodies pummel, shrieks rain like a storm of razor blades, and finally the damage settles. “Mountain Song” is a slow drive through different sets of colors, the singing moving, the playing swooning. Drums echo through propulsive waves, Gabriel calling, “I am standing before something greater than myself, is this what it feels to be alive?” Guitars steam as the temperatures spike, fading into immersive calm. The closing title track is dreamy as classic acoustic guitars spark, strings add a breezy element, guitars spitting energy. “We remember the dead, we dance, we dance, we dance!” Gabriel cries as is feels like the playing is swimming into dimensional subconsciousness, the guitars bending over a strange angle at the end of a journey.

Helga’s music certainly borders on, and at times delves directly into metal, but there’s so much more going on here to classify directly into a corner. “Wrapped in Mist” is an immersive, constantly evolving record from an artist just getting started on this sojourn, and this first record is a promising initial step. At times, the songs feel like they have multiple personalities, and that’s OK because it keeps things interesting. I’m curious as to where this band goes on album two because it could be anything at all.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/helgadalarna

To buy the album (U.S.), go here: https://shopusa.season-of-mist.com/band/helga

Or here (International): https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/helga-wrapped-in-mist

For more on the label, go here: https://www.season-of-mist.com/