If you long for old-school Swedish death metal, look no further than Hammer Battalion, the latest from legendary act Unleashed. This band, for years one of the most respected and consistent acts on the extreme metal roadmap, have once again delivered a solid platter of Viking flavored death metal here, sprinkled with just the slightest touch of black metal, again showing the world why they have received so many accolades since their inception way back in the early 90's. Led by the recognizable vocals of Johnny Hedlund, Unleashed tear through a dozen melodic yet brutal death metal classics here, tunes such as "Your Children Will Burn", "Marching Off To War", "Entering the Hall of the Slain", and the exhuberant title track, all containing plenty of furious riffs, manic drum blasts, and memorable arrangements that will have you instantly banging your head to the pummeling fury. The great thing about this band has always been their ability to throw in some tasty guitar solos in their songs, so look for Fredrik Folkare & Tomas Masgard to do much of the same here, as well as add some majestic acoustic passages to tracks like "Black Horizon" and "Warriors of Midgard".
Hammer Battalion is just classy death metal all around, an album that gives the term 'Viking Metal' all the justification and clarification that it needs. Give a listen and be prepared to hoist your sword, your pint of ale, and scream "To Valhalla We Storm!"
Track Listing
1. Greatest of All Lies, The
2. Long Before Winter's Call
3. Your Children Will Burn
4. Hammer Battalion
5. This Day Belongs To Me
6. Marching Off To War
7. Entering the Hall of the Slain
8. Black Horizon
9. Carved In Stone
10. Warriors of Midgard
11. Midsummer Solstice
12. Home of the Brave
13. I Want You Dead
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