The guys toured with some legit death metal bands, and when I saw them with Cannibal Corpse, Obituary, and Frozen Soul, it became clear they are not a death metal band, just a classic-sounding metal band with Viking window dressing. After being blown away by Cannibal Corpse, you might think they've taken a harder look in the mirror to see if they are keeping up with the times. But no, here we are with the same old, same old: "Eight Legs of Thunder" is effective, but it sounds like every other song I have heard from these guys.
Things change, and you begin to think perhaps they might have been taking notes as the growl shifts to a lower gurgle for "Kasir's Blood". Lyrically, it's the same old Norse mythology, which you gotta hand it to them for staying on brand. "We Rukle the Waves" has a more deliberate head-banging gallop. The drums speed up on the chorus. Played very loudly, it works best. "Upphaf" is more melodic and shows that side these guys could lean into more if they wanted to cross over into folk metal. Not groundbreaking, but they are expanding the dynamic of the album, which is a plus.
"Die With a War Cry" finds them digging into the chug and coming acorss as being more serious about claiming the death metal label. "Raven God" is the kind of triumphant anthemic march you expect from these guys. Harmony guitar parts that create a more Iron Maiden-like sound, but it really only works for Iron Maiden and, upon occasion, Metallica. The fist-pumping chug of the title track is effective if not playing it safe. I seem to remember their earlier albums had more grit to them. The last two songs kinda run together; the last ong have more stomp of the two, though maybe not the catchiest riffs.If yo uare a fan of these guys, this is the album you want; they are bringing you a great sound amplified to grandiose fantasy proportions, but it does not always maintain its edge as it feels like they play it too safe, so I will give it an 8.5.
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