Nephila - Huldra (Album Review)

Release Date: August 28th 2026. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Huldra - Tracklist

1 Mother Of The Woods

2 In Her Hands

3 The Hidden Folk

4 Ash Their Bones

5 Capercailles Hymn

6 Huldra

7 Solar Eclipse

8 The Living Grave

9 F.I.N.N

Members

Josephine Asker – vocals

Linn Edlund – vocals

Anton Athley – guitar

Jacob Hellenrud – guitar

Johan Larsson – organ & keyboards

Charlie Andersson Vistbacka – bass guitar

Johan Lööf – drums

Review

Swedish septet Nephila has been around for a few years and are now unveiling their sophomore album, the excellent 'Huldra'. These Swedes champions transcendent and psychedelic 70's heavy rock with a sharp, clear yet organic sound. Add impeccable musicianship and songwriting skills and you have Nephila. Rarely has an album title befitted a band's music as much as 'Huldra' does. A huldra for the uninitiated is a forest nymph or a forest spirit and that's what Nephila brings forth, as if their music was conjured by a forest deity. Regardless, this is a brilliant album whichever way you look at it! 

This wonderful music journey begins with 'Mother Of The Woods'. Mid-tempo, mesmerizing and seductive with a gradual buid-up before going all out. There are 9 compositions in all where 'F.I.N.N' ends it all and what a closer it is. A bluesy backbone blended with excellent organ-fueled heavy rock weaves  back and forth as if you're on a magic carpet ride. In between Nephila brings 70's psychedelic rock mixed with early Deep Purple and Jethro Tull in the brilliant 'Ash Their Bones' and in the title track 'Huldra' as well. 'Capercailles Hymn' moves in within the same vein where the duelling guitars and the organ in this instrumental beauty.

The band throws down the gauntlet in the bluesy 70's heavy rocker 'The Living Grave' where they go full tilt like their lives depended on it as the verses creates the atmosphere and the chorus erupts. 'Solar Eclipse' brings soft and delicate vocals and sparse instrumentation and it creates a spectacular realm to move within. 'The Hidden Folk' has such a nice groove moving parallel with excellent riffs and when the vocals enters the fray this already brilliant song is elevated even further. Nephila reels you in with 'In Her Hands' which offers captivating and hook-laden chorus and brilliant solos.

Nephila are such a revelation! Blending psychedelia, heavy 70's rock with a great sound and a modern touch has me hooked right from the start. Add Josephine and Linn's amazing vocals and you have this outstanding band. Not boxed in nor shackled they do what they want and how they want it and this freedom is so apparent in their music. Miss Nephila at your peril because they are far too good to be ignored!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.

Huldra is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Majestic Mountain Records.

Links

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