Swedish Metal

Eleine – We Shall Remain Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on July 15, 2023 in Reviews, Symphonic Metal, 21 comments

“As all know, corset-core is not exactly my jam. But in 2020, Eleine set out to impress old Grier. And impress they did! And impress they did, and you all got to make various inappropriate comments as you experienced the heaviness of Dancing in Hell. And that heaviness and the vast supply of riffs impressed me the most about Eleine. Sure, the song structures are always about the delivery of the chorus but rarely did a song overstay its welcome. And the hooks were as pleasing as bourbon punch. Now Eleine is back, hoping to deliver their finest album yet and push Dancing in Hell off the mountaintop.” Come on, Eleine.

Bloodbound – Tales from the North Review

By Holdeneye on July 14, 2023 in Reviews, Power Metal, 44 comments

“It’s been a mere two years since I relieved Steel of his blood-bond to review Bloodbound, and the Swedes are already back with a follow-up to 2021’s Creatures of the Dark Realm. I enjoyed Creatures enough to feature it on my Honorable Mentions list for that year, and I stand by that, as my return listens have found the album to be as strong as ever.” Blood Eagley.

Yer Metal Is Olde: Bloodbath – Resurrection Through Carnage

By Saunders on June 18, 2023 in Yer Metal Is Olde, Death Metal, 33 comments

Bloodbath’s ginormous debut full-length is one for the ages. It’s also really olde now. Is the blood still wet? You bet!

Vomitory – All Heads Are Gonna Roll Review

By Steel Druhm on May 25, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, 46 comments

“It’s been a good, long time since we’ve heard from Swedish death metal royalty, Vomitory. From 1996 through 2011 they regularly assaulted the metalverse with high-quality material adroitly blending vintage Swedeath ideas with American death of the Floridian persuasion. It didn’t break barriers but it sure as hell busted skulls, and ghastly platters like Blood Rapture and Carnage Euphoria stand the test of time. Their last album, 2011s Opus Mortis VIII, was a great parting shot full of ripping riffs and bashing brutality, and they were sorely missed when the silence settled. Now 12 years later the beast arises.” Assume the hurling position.

Industrial Puke – Born into the Twisting Rope Review

By Saunders on May 11, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Hardcore, 14 comments

“Hardcore sometimes gets a bad wrap in metal circles, however, there is no doubting the potential for hardcore and metal to join forces in ways that transcend the often-maligned metalcore tag. Industrial Puke is a newish act straight outta Sweden, but don’t let that fool you, dear listener, this is an experienced outfit featuring members of Burst, Obstruktion and Rentokiller.” Clean up in aisle all.

Örnatorpet – Evigt Främmande, Evigt Fjärran Review

By Thus Spoke on May 2, 2023 in Reviews, Ambient, Dungeon Synth, 22 comments

“Dungeon synth. ‘That might be a nice palate cleanser. That might be something chilled and easy to listen to.’ So thought I when I read the promo. This is somehow the seventh album from Swedish dungeon synth/ambient project Örnatorpet. Even after reading Dear Hollow‘s not especially glowing review of their previous, I maintained a grain of optimism, because how bad could it really be?” The death of optimism.

Runemagick – Beyond the Cenotaph of Mankind Review

By Steel Druhm on April 28, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 23 comments

“Sweden’s Runemagick have been banging away at the extreme metal world since the late 90s. With a sound traveling from basic nuts n’ bolts death metal into doom-death, these magick wielders have put in over 3 decades of sweat equity with 12 albums to show for their efforts. That makes it all the weirder that I’ve never heard them until grabbing the promo for album number thirteen, Beyond the Cenotaph of Mankind. Making my decades-long oversight all the more glaring, Katatonia drummer, Daniel Moilanen has manned the kit for Runemagick since 2002. Oh, the shame! With a poser check on Steel frantically underway at AMG HR, I ran back through their voluminous back catalog to sample their wares.” Spells of concealment.

Black Oak – Egolution Review

By Maddog on April 25, 2023 in Reviews, Hardcore, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, 20 comments

“Egolution was a tough nut to crack. I picked up the debut from Sweden’s Black Oak based on the promo’s bold namedrops of Cult of Luna, ISIS, and Palms. When I started listening, I expected standard sludgy post-metal. I was wrong. Fifty-three minutes later, my head spinning with variants of “what the hell did I just listen to,” I panicked. Black Oak’s restless blend of post-rock and hardcore with electronic influences, prog, classical flourishes, and more left me confused.” Let go my Ego.

Evermore – In Memoriam Review

By Holdeneye on April 24, 2023 in Reviews, Power Metal, 29 comments

“I probably picked this promo because the band name is so similar to my favorite band of all time; you can’t spell Nevermore without Evermore! But before I tumble down a tearful slope of despondency over the loss of the great Warrel Dane, let’s talk about Nevermore sans the “N.” Sweden’s Evermore is a relatively fresh face in the European power metal game, having released an extremely promising debut in the form of 2021’s Court of the Tyrant King.” Never, ever, MOAR.

Mezzrow – Summon Thy Demons Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on April 24, 2023 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 30 comments

“Another rando and another band I should already know but don’t. Mezzrow has been around since the late ’80s, trying to bring America’s brand of thrash to the halls o’ Sweden. For various reasons—issues with their label and losing band member after band member—all that came out of their struggles was 1990’s Then Came the Killing. A ’91 demo later, and Mezzrow was no more. Fast forward sixteen years, and the band reforms for a live performance. Their small but passionate fanbase was excite. Would Mezzrow record a new album?” Not Merzbow.