Crushing Wind - Vinland (Full Album)

The album tells the story of a band of Vikings, led by the courageous jarl Eirik, on a daring journey west to unknown lands. Inspired by sagas and dreams, Eirik leads his longship through the furious ocean. The travelers will not only face the fury of the elements and sea monsters but also receive the blessing of Thor himself, who will aid them at a crucial moment. Upon reaching a rich and green shore (Vinland), they encounter not hostile natives, but the nature spirits of this land, forging an alliance with them and opening a new chapter in the sagas of their people.

Track-by-Track Summary:
00:00 - 01. The Dream of the West
Jarl Eirik gathers his loyal warriors in the great hall. He shares the dreams that haunt him: visions of boundless forests teeming with game, and shores blanketed with wild grapes. He calls them to set sail, promising not the glory of battle, but the glory of discoverers and a new Homeland.

07:23 - 02. Iron Oath
The warriors swear upon their weapons to follow Eirik to the edge of the world. This is not a vow of blind obedience, but one of brotherhood and shared faith in their venture's success. It is a hymn to loyalty and unity.

12:42 - 03. Dragon's Breath
A track wholly dedicated to the ship's launch and the voyage's first leg. It describes the might of the longship cleaving the waves, the billowing sails, the cries of seagulls, and the crew's exhilaration as their great adventure begins.

18:24 - 04. Thor's Wrath Upon the Waves
The ship is caught in a savage storm. The warriors do not despair but sing in defiance, challenging the tempest. They believe Thor himself is testing their mettle. In the storm's very fury, they perceive a divine presence.

24:39 - 05. Serpent of the Deep
A giant sea serpent emerges from the abyss. Instead of fear, the Vikings greet it with battle cries. This is a trial of their valor on the open ocean. The song depicts the fight as a perilous, yet thrilling duel.

31:01 - 06. The Thunder's Blessing
After battling the serpent, the exhausted Vikings cry out to Thor in despair. In answer, the heavens split, and a lightning bolt sears the sky and sea. Yet this is not blind elemental fury. Where it strikes the deck, it leaves not a charred scar, but a glowing, lightning-forged symbol — the rune of Thor. This sign fills the Vikings with renewed strength, divine confidence, and a fragment of the Thunderer's unyielding will. They understand he has blessed their quest.

36:33 - 07. A Feather on the Tide
A metaphorical track inspired by Odin's two ravens, Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory). The skald compares their ship to a feather borne by wind and currents toward an unknown destiny. He wonders if they have been sent forth as Odin's very thought, to bring him new knowledge. This is a song of faith in a predestined path and the understanding of their mission not as conquerors, but as pioneers expanding the known world for their people and their gods.

42:58 - 08. Land!
From the lookout comes the long-awaited cry: "Land!" An explosion of collective joy. The culmination of their many days at sea.

48:29 - 09. Shores of Vinland
The Vikings set foot upon the new land. They describe it not as strange and frightening, but as incredibly bountiful and beautiful: dense forests, soft grass, streams of clear water. An atmosphere of discovery and awe.

55:18 - 10. Spirits of the New World
In the woods, the Vikings encounter not men, but nature spirits — beings of light and leaves. Conflict does not erupt; instead, a "dialogue" unfolds through music and gestures. Seeing Thor's blessing upon the Norsemen, the spirits accept them as part of this world.

01:01:16 - 11. The Alliance of Root and Steel
The Vikings and the nature spirits forge an alliance. They exchange gifts: the Norsemen demonstrate the strength of steel, while the spirits reveal the secrets of the land—the best hunting grounds, where the grapes grow. This is a hymn to mutual respect and harmony between newcomers and nature.

01:08:05 - 12. A Saga Begins
The final track. The Vikings found a settlement. They understand this is not the journey's end, but the beginning of a new, great saga for their descendants. The song looks to the future with immense hope and confidence.

01:14:11 - 13. Odin's Unblinking Eye (Bonus)
A warrior, left on watch, feels an unseen presence. He senses that Odin himself watches their voyage with keen interest—neither aiding nor hindering, but weighing their courage. The track speaks of awe before the all-seeing God, a warrior's dialogue with himself and the sky, his reflections on fate, duty, and what true glory means in the eyes of the All-Father.