Sweden's Brothers of Metal originally released Prophecy of Ragnarok back in 2017, but they've since been picked up by esteemed power metal label AFM Records, and here we are with the official release of the album just in time for the holidays. The 'brothers' are a large scale power metal act that ironically contain only two siblings it appears out of the eight members, who include:
Ylva Eriksson - Vocals
Joakim Lindbäck Eriksson - Vocals
Dawid Grahn -Guitars
Pähr Nilsson - Guitars
Mikael Fehrm - Guitars
Emil Wärmedal - Bass
Mats Nilsson - Vocals
Johan Johansson - Drums
Unless you've been hiding under a rock the last few years, the theme of this album should be pretty obvious, the band deciding to do a full blown concept album on Viking legends and specifically the tale of the mighty Asgardians Odin, Thor, Loki, the Norns, and more. With three guitarists, three vocalists, and a rampaging rhythm section, Brothers of Metal put forth huge, fist pumping power metal here guaranteed you to get up on your feet and banging your head. While some might find this a tad high on the cheese meter, the band obviously had a blast recording this album, and that carries over instantly to the listener with one anthem after another like "Son of Odin", "Defenders of Valhalla" , "Yggdrasil", and "Tyr". Guitar riffs are furious and lethal, the drumming intense, and with the occasional keyboard flourish adding a symphonic edge, this is a very epic sounding album from start to finish. The real draw however are the vocals, with Ylva Eriksson's soaring delivery just gorgeous, and she's complemented by the more gruff styles of Mats Nilsson and Joakim Lindbäck Eriksson, making for a potent power metal attack that works on all levels. Though some tunes border on silliness from a lyrical perspective, like "Siblings of Metal", "We Believe in Metal" (yes, we get it!) and "The Mead Song", this is all very well done and a lot of fun for those that enjoy this sort of thing.
Great production and awesome packaging round out this enjoyable AFM debut from Brothers of Metal. You too can help fight the coming of Ragnarok by doing your part to take the journey and check out this galloping heavy metal album.
Track Listing
1. Death of the God of Light
2. Son of Odin
3
. Prophecy of Ragnarok
4. Defenders of Valhalla
5. Concerning Norns
6. Yggdrasil
7. Tyr
8. Siblings of Metal
9. Gods of War
10. Freya
11. The Mead Song
12. Sleipnir
13. Fire Blood and Steel
14. We Believe in Metal