viking metal

Album Review: Ereb Altor — “Eldens Boning” (EP)

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The oft-disputed subgenre of Viking metal is something I’ve always found hard to define in metal. Is it really a subgenre or just slightly blackened folk metal? Whereas Enslaved, Falkenbach and maybe Månegarm are sometimes referred to as being viking metal, I think Ereb Altor actually really encapsulates—I don’t want to say the sound—but the essence and idea of viking metal really well. The Swedish band is, much like the famous Christmas goat, based in Gävle, a town that’s definitely not pronounced how you think it is. The band’s new EP Eldens Boning features only four songs so that means we get to focus on each and every one of them.

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Profile: Viking Death Metallers Last Legion

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LAST LEGION
Last Legion

NY’s Viking death metallers Last Legion released their sophomore album Muspelheim back in January and if you missed out here’s your “should’ve had a V8” moment. It’s Scandinavian death metal fused with furious riffs and tons of Norse folklore that is even bigger and heavier than the album artwork eludes to. Plus, there’s ties to acting amongst the band but more on that later. Bottom line; this album rips from start to finish and it should be in your ears immediately, if it isn’t already. Behind the album’s release we had the opportunity to speak with bassist Rich Mollo and guitarist Dubek Kim to ask them our set of Profile questions and they were extremely generous with their answers. Head inside to see what they had to say and by all means support the band via the links contained within. Continue reading →

The Nine Circle ov… Amon Amarth

CoreyLeave a comment

amonamarth2016

Almost two years ago, I stood before you… er… I sat behind a computer screen and told the tale of my ten favorite tracks by viking metal legends Amon Amarth. We were known as Horns Up back in those days. My, oh things have changed. While it has been a little more than two months since Jomsviking dropped (March 25th, to be precise), I find myself very much appreciating the path Amon Amarth has gone in with their first concept album. Keeping that in consideration, it’s just about time to make some minor adjustments to my previously composed list. There are some duplicates, to be sure, but there are some new faces. And also one less face. Because 9 vs.10. Anyway… let’s get our drinking horns out and begin! Continue reading →

Receiving the Evcharist: Enslaved and Knob Creek

Corey2 Comments

nergal3

Hey, what do ya know, it’s that time of the week again. Aren’t we all excited? Now, I don’t want to say we all only live for the weekends, because that would imply almost 75% of our lives are spent waiting — which just sounds super depressing. But the reality is, for us jabronis in office jobs, the weekends are cherished. Looking beyond that, fun fact: I also felt kinda shitty this week, despite my regular intake of alcohol (because of?). For that reason, this weekend couldn’t come soon enough. I like infecting my office as much as the next person, but it’s just easier to waste away in peace. And it’s for this reason that I turned to two of my most reliable sources of enjoyment for this edition of Receiving the Evcharist. The Metal: Enslaved’s RIITIIR. The Booze: Knob Creek, Rye Whiskey. Continue reading →

Album Review: Amon Amarth – “Jomsviking”

CoreyLeave a comment

Amon Amarth - Jomsviking

Amon Amarth is a band that very much comes and goes with me. Obviously, over the years, the vikings of heavy metal have become among the most popular bands in the extreme metal scene. While the albums of the early to mid 2000’s piqued my interest — Death In Fire through With Odin On Our Side — the last three releases have just kinda… blended in. The same powerful, battle-ready music, but just done without enough advancement from the preceding work. Were they bad? Of course not. But they just weren’t anything I would get hyped up about. The same was true as the release date of Jomsviking began approaching. I figured I would inevitably listen to at some point, but I wasn’t exactly counting the hours until it dropped. Well, that ‘at some point’ turned out to be this past week and I am thrilled to report that this is the most impressive work Amon Amarth has put forward in some time. And I find myself once again on Amon Amarth’s longship, ready for battle. Continue reading →