This week I bought a handful of new releases based solely on their album art. I have not heard of any of these bands before and had no idea what to expect, so here’s the results of my expectations colliding with reality. Band: Hermóðr Title: Two Ravens Label: None Release...
Sweden
On the weekend of August 23 – 24 2019, Swedish folk metallers Månegarm held their first edition of Månegarm Open Air in their home town of Norrtälje. The scene was set in Pythagoras Mechanical Workshop Museum (Swedish: Pythagoras industrimuseum) which showcases old machinery with the predominant festival area in the...
On an overcast day in Norrköping, Sweden I was joined by Linus Lundgren to discuss the upcoming releases from Year of the Goat, Nocturnalia and of course, cats. Born in Linköping, the most prominent of his current work has been with Sweden’s Year of the Goat. Established in 2006 in...
Once again the Swedes set the bar for what is amazing metal. This time it takes the form of Nekrokraft from Linköping and their new album Servants. Released earlier this year, it’s harsh and unforgiving, but still has that slight melodic feel that is iconic of Swedish metal. Suitingly I...
At the Gates is one of the more familiar names floating around the melodic death metal world and rightly so. Since 1990, they have maintained almost the same line-up and have a distinct sound that has set them in to the highest echelons of Swedish metal. Not a band to...
Brand new Romanian/Swedish symphonic power metallers Crossing Eternity are gearing up to release their debut album “The Rising World” to the world June 15, 2018. “The Rising World” blends elements of modern metal with psychedelic soundscapes alluding to the innocence of the 70s’ rock music. The album contains thirteen epic...
Maybe it’s just me, but Swedish death metal bands can almost be put at a disadvantage sometimes if they are constantly compared to the Swedish greats that came before them. It can be a daunting task to try and emulate these predecessors while creating a distinctive, original sound. Sweden’s Demonical...
Dark Tranquility, one of the more prominent Swedish melodic death metal bands, has been dishing out one great album after another since their 1993 release Skydancer. For 13 years they have been defining the genre, so it is completely disheartening to hear their latest album, Atoma. The meat, albeit bland, is definitely...