Unleashed
Hammer Battalion
SPV 2008
Unleashed, one
of the legendary forefathers of Swedish and Viking death metal has appropriately
"unleashed" a new album of truly devastating death metal. While their
sound can be described as characteristically Swedish in style they have not
stooped to using the downtuned guitars like so many of their country mates.
Unleashed's strength has always been in their ability to stay within certain
musical boundaries that have defined their own personality rather than
constantly incorporating new influences into their music. Unleashed has
always stood for consistency. And Hammer Battalion is no different.
While the tempo is perhaps a little faster than normal with blinding riffing
such as on the title track, Warriors of Midgard, and the chorus riff on the
brilliant Black Horizon. Incidentally there is a slow and heavy as hell
riff that opens Carved in Stone that reminds me a lot of the opening to one of
Unleashed's oldest songs, the Dark One. Unleashed continues on with
the tradition of muscular riffs that are reminiscent of a cavalry charge as with
Long Before Winter's Call, Your Children Will Burn, and Entering the Hall of the
Slain. This Day Belongs to Me flexes and oozes along like primordial
sludge, hungry to devour any ray of hope. Whereas on Midsummer Solstice a
Rock N Roll feel helps the tension to continually mount and then stream forth in
a fount of subtle melody during the chorus. One thing that really stands
out are the classy and tasteful guitar solos on songs like I Want You Dead,
Misummer Solstice, and Long Before Winter's Call. Vocally Johnny has never
sounded more sharp or fierce. Lyrically Unleashed attacks Xtiany while
extolling the virtues of Viking mythology and philosophy. Unleashed has
released what to me is probably their best effort since Across the Open Sea.
Hammer Battalion is the first truly great album from 2008 for me. That is
a statement with a band that has been around for nearly 20 years. I hope
to see these warriors at the gates of Valhalla!