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date: 01 6 2008
As I previously said in Grave's last album review, it seems to me there's a strange conspiracy in the Swedish death metal scene. Dismember started the show, followed by Grave, and now Unleashed is completing the circle, with their latest release - "Hammer Battalion". From the early 90's to nowAdays, these guys have stayed true to their music and refused to surrender in front of various modern trends in the metal scene.
I know what you're going to say about "Hammer Batallion": nothing new on the Northern front; this is just another Unleashed album; and, of course, the same invocations of Odin and other local gods resting in Valhalla. You know what? Damn right it's just another Unleashed album! But what an album!! Personally, I don't want to hear some ultra-technical bullshit when it comes to Unleashed. Swedish death metal is about simple and efficient guitar riffs, balanced drumming and a lot of feeling. "Hammer Batallion" has it all: slow, fast and sometimes furious riffs, unexpected guitar solos, great drum work, the necessary balance and loads of feeling. Unleashed is marching on without giving up their both musical and religious beliefs - no compromise IS allowed, just old school death metal at its best.
The album is perfect in terms of production and mixing process. The sound is excellent, clean and focused especially on the voice and the guitars. In my opinion, Johnny is the "star" on "Hammer Batallion". His vocals express pure hatred, giving the album the necessary power to blow your head off. The guitar work is also outstanding, in terms of simplicity and efficiency. Just listen to the solo on Hammer Battalion and tell me it hasn't a Dream Theater touch! It may sound crazy, but this sprang into my mind when I first listened to this superb solo.
Unleashed is a perfect mechanism which proves that death metal is far from being dead. Swedens's flagship band is in an excellent shape, fresh and more furious as never. Favourite tracks: Long Before Winters Call, Your Children Will Burn, Hammer Battalion, Black Horizon, This Day Belongs To Me. In the end, all I can say is: "The order is to kill, fire at will!!!".
10/10
Ciprian
Lineup
Johnny Hedlund - Bass, voce
Fredrik Folkare - Lead guitars
Tomas Måsgard - Rhythm guitars
Anders Schultz - Drums
Tracklist:
1. The Greatest of All Lies
2. Long Before Winters 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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