Viking Metal

Vintersorg – Vattenkrafternas spel Review

Vintersorg – Vattenkrafternas spel Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 24, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal, Viking Metal, 24 comments

“After releasing the sequel to their debut record in 2017, things have been quiet on the Vintersorg front. But now they are back with Vattenkrafternas spel sets out to take that same infusion of the Vintersorg of old with the Vintersorg of new that we heard from Till fjälls del II. Which I can’t complain about, considering I love it when the band knocks out some of those nasty black metal licks. Not that they have abandoned those influences in the last decade or so, but it’s a touch more prevalent on Vattenkrafternas spel. But, how far will they go, and how well will it work?” Early vinter chills.

Burden of Ymir – The Long Winter Review

Burden of Ymir – The Long Winter Review

By Twelve on August 31, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Viking Metal, 22 comments

“Joe Caswell of Sudbury, Canada first caught the attention of this blog in 2023, as the sole member of Drowstorm and Burden of Ymir. Both projects released albums in 2023, impressing all who wrote about them. In my case, Heorot was a fantastic introduction to the latter band, a blackened-yet-folky display of Viking metal that appealed to both my appreciation for mythologically-themed metal and my long-held belief that the accordion is the most metal of all the instruments. Now, just over two years later, Burden of Ymir return with its sixth full-length release (in as many years!): The Long Winter, with an album cover that promises just as much blackened goodness as we’ve come to hope for.” Summer’s end.

Jordfäst – Blodsdåd Och Hor Review

Jordfäst – Blodsdåd Och Hor Review

By Killjoy on July 28, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Viking Metal, 13 comments

“Sweden is a metal country in more ways than one. As I just learned from the promo blurb for Blodsdåd Och Hor, the iron and steel industry has been an integral component of its economy and culture for centuries. Of course, Sweden is not lacking in metal from a musical standpoint either. Jordfäst is the latest of these purveyors, whose brand of melancholic black metal seeks to honor their country’s long history of metalwork and warfare, mixed with a healthy dose of Norse mythology.” Blood and iron.

Havukruunu – Tavastland Review

Havukruunu – Tavastland Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 3, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Viking Metal, 124 comments

“Be it the melodic interludes, big Viking choirs, or endless riff changes, Havukruunu continues to bring inspiration with each new record. Which, as hinted at, is difficult to do with a style that has been around since the ’80s and ’90s. And it’s no different for this year’s Tavastland. It’s a fifty-plus-minute journey of Viking and metal culture that’ll have you banging your head, swimming in oceans of melodic beauty, and barking out anthems of an ancient time never forgotten.” Everything’s runed.

Jeris Johnson – Dragonborn Review

Jeris Johnson – Dragonborn Review

By Dear Hollow on August 26, 2024 in Reviews, Deathcore, Electronic, Folk Metal, Hard Rock, Metalcore, Nu Metal, Post-Grunge, Punk, Viking Metal, 191 comments

“If you don’t know Jeris Johnson, let that horrendously edited self-portrait that would feel like a masterpiece of character design on Nintendo 64, like Lara Croft’s pyramid boobs, really sink in. For the uninitiated, he’s that guy who partnered with Papa Roach for a “reloaded” version of “Last Resort;” he did a collaboration with Bring Me the Horizon for a remix of “Can You Feel My Heart.” For the initiated, he is big on YouTube and TikTok. For his first full-length Dragonborn, you might be confused about what exactly this album sounds like. I’ve repeatedly spun it, and I remain confused.” Dragon, why do you cry?

Kvaen – The Formless Fire Review

Kvaen – The Formless Fire Review

By Cherd on June 20, 2024 in Reviews, Black Metal, Blackened Death Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Viking Metal, 49 comments

“Three albums into Jacob Björnfot’s run as quasi-one-man meloblack band Kvaen, certain areas of dependability have become apparent. For one thing, you know each release is going to be all about the guitars: the riffs, the leads, the melodies, the harmonies, the blistering, soaring solos. Any “atmosphere” is incidental. It’s not the point. You know those riffs and melodies are going to be easy breezy, memorable, and highly repeatable. You know on the songwriting front, you’ll get some scorching sprints and some rousing epics. And at least one song about fire.” Fire in the Home Alone.

Týr – Battle Ballads Review

Týr – Battle Ballads Review

By Steel Druhm on April 9, 2024 in Reviews, Folk Metal, Heavy Metal, Viking Metal, 40 comments

“The Fisher Kings of Faroian metal are back and on the hunt once more with ninth album Battle Ballads, and all is right in the metalverse. Ever since these lads put the tiny Faroe Islands on the map way back in 2002 with their How Far to Asgaard debut they’ve been highly reliable purveyors of a unique blend of trad/folk/Viking metal that has no peer. 2019’s Hel provided highly entertaining and classy tales of swords and shields and I wanted more almost immediately. After a 4 years wait we finally get more from Týr.” Salt/sword life.

Borknagar – Fall Review

Borknagar – Fall Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 22, 2024 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal, Viking Metal, 120 comments

“No matter who fills in on vocals, guitars, and drums, the Borknagar continues releasing one fantastic album after another. After 2019’s fun and accessible True North, this year’s Fall reaches farther into the past to reset the needle, delivering some blackish attacks and headbangable energy. Worry not, they forever will retain that classic epicness, melody, and beauty.” Trust Fall.