Hammerheart

Salacious Gods – Oalevluuk Review

By Iceberg on October 15, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 6 comments

“Second-wave black metal worship is like that regular at your local dive: omnipresent, predictable with their order, and armed with the same old stories for whoever happens to be within earshot. They’re not bad for business per se, but familiarity has been known to breed contempt. And few styles are as familiar as Norwegian black metal of the early ’90s, inspiring generations to revere and—occasionally—innovate upon that trademark of “trve evil.” Enter mercurial Dutch black metallers Salacious Gods, rising from the ashes of self-imposed exile to bring us their first record in 18(!) years.” Salacious layoffs.

Cross Vault – As Strangers We Depart Review

By Steel Druhm on May 27, 2021 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 44 comments

“There are certain key words and taglines that all but guarantee your friendly stronghold Steel will seize a promo as his own, jealously guarding it from interlopers, pretenders and would-be promo usurpers. Putting “Viking doom” in your promo blurb alongside reference to Bathory is one such way to score a hard ticket to the iron reviewing table. Germany’s Cross Vault have been toiling away in relative obscurity since 2014, heavily influenced by acts like Warning and crafting downcast material that often feels like a follow up to that act’s monumental Watching from a Distance opus. By 2015 a heavier, more grandiose sound made an appearance alongside the Warning-isms, somewhat justifying Viking era Bathory comparisons. After 4 years of silence, third album As Strangers We Depart sees the band once again searching for that perfect blend of doom, gloom and epic sounds.” Doom n’ boom.

Atlantean Kodex – The Course of Empire Review

By Steel Druhm on September 10, 2019 in 2019, Epic Metal, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 73 comments

“After impressing the metalverse with 2013s The White Goddess, the band took their sweet time crafting a followup, and the long-awaited The Course of Empire definitely dials up the Bathory-esque epic Viking side of Atlantean Kodex’s mammoth heavy metal sound. Along with the band’s usual While Heaven Wept meets Manowar on Manilla Road take on oversized throwback metal, there’s a powerful Hammeheart influence under-girding the already titanic, soaring compositions, making for a heavier, darker sound.” Atlantean Empire rising.

Professor Black – Sunrise Review

By Steel Druhm on October 3, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, High Roller Records, Reviews, Viking Metal, Heavy Metal, 63 comments

Chris Black (A.K.A. Professor Black) is an entire music scene unto himself. He’s played with Pharaoh, Superchrist and Nachtmystium as well as being the founder of Dawnbringer, High Spirits and Aktor. Now he’s releasing not one, not two, but three new albums under the Professor Black brand, all on the same day, all with vastly different styles and intents. Because I’m powerful and full of Viking ape rage, I took Sunrise, which is a lovingly trve ode to Bathory’s Viking era, as well as classic metal artists like Running Wild and W.A.S.P.” Black for the Viking attack.

Ereb Altor – Ulfven Review

By Steel Druhm on July 19, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Epic Metal, Hammerheart Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Epic Metal, Viking Metal, 53 comments

Ereb Altor is a band I’ve reviewed more than almost any other since joining the AMG metal collective in 2010. They’re a prolific bunch and stick to a regular release schedule despite also releasing albums under the moniker Isole, and their material is consistently good if not great. Ulfven is their newest release, following 2016s Blot Ilt Taut which was a series of Bathory covers. This was appropriate as Quorthon has always been the wellspring from which the band draws their inspiration.” Reforge the sword.

Nechochwen – Heart of Akamon Review

By Steel Druhm on September 12, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Bindrune Recordings, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 84 comments

“I’ll freely admit to having thrown up my hands and walked away from the majority of black metal over the past five years. Whatever drew me to the style in its infancy with Bathory and onward through Emperor and Darkthrone has all but died. I’ll still pay attention to releases by the big names, but for the most part I’ve given up the ghost. One of the rare bands that still holds a special place in my nonblack heart is West Virginia’s quirky and obscure Nechochwen.” It’s time to get your ass into the Spirit World!

Yer Metal Is Olde – Bathory – Hammerheart

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 27, 2015 in Black Metal, Blog Posts, Swedish Metal, Viking Metal, Yer Metal Is Olde, Black Metal, Viking Metal, 84 comments

“”Spirituality” is a word that causes many people to assume the focus of the coming conversation will be one of a religious context. But I find the word to be broader than that (so does Webster’s Dictionary).” And this old chestnut has a lot of spirit.

Ereb Altor – Nattramn Review

By Steel Druhm on April 20, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Cyclone Empire, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Viking Metal, 11 comments

“Ereb Altor, the other project by the men behind Isole, are back to wage the next phase of the battle for my favoritism. I enjoy both acts and it seems with each new release my loyalty shifts, with Isole’s recent The Calm Hunter putting me back in their camp, at least temporarily. Is it moving day again? I feel so temporary.

King of Asgard – Karg Review

By Steel Druhm on August 4, 2014 in 2014, Melodic Death Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Viking Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Viking Metal, 18 comments

“Formed from the ashes of the highly underrated and (AMG worshipped) Viking metal act Mithotyn, King of Asgard has more or less continued the mission statement of releasing odes to the northern winds, Viking valor and snowy landscapes, all heavily influenced by latter period Bathory as well as Einherjer, Ensiferum. Karg is their third such endeavor and it observes the traditions of its ancestors with all due reverence, while moving things in a darker, more stripped down direction.” Do you feel the need to plunder and pillage? If so, here’s your liege lord.

Falkenbach – Asa Review

By Steel Druhm on November 4, 2013 in 2013, Black Metal, Folk Metal, German Metal, Prophecy Productions, Reviews, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Viking Metal, 25 comments

“There’s music meant for a summer drive with the top down (old Van Halen), hitting the weights hard (Slayer, Pantera) and a night of hard-drinking in sketchy beer mills (Fireball Ministry, Orange Goblin). Likewise, the new slice of folksy Viking metal from Falkenbach proves perfect for chopping wood in the brisk Fall air. While I recognize “wood chopping” or “lumberjack” metal is an under-served medium, I feel confident saying this is the finest chopper album I’ve heard all year.” Grab thine axe as Steel Druhm weaves his tales of Viking rage and folksy tomfoolery.