NAPALM
One of Viking metal’s early pioneers, Norway’s Einherjer had a career of peaks and troughs, releasing four albums between ’93 and ’04 before splitting, returning in 2008 after four years in Valhalla. But rather than reaching in vain for past glories, this eighth album marks not only Einherjer’s return to Napalm Records after 25 years, but a return to form, a defiantly potent mix of death and black infused with the proud swagger Viking metal needs to truly rouse. Be it lead single Stars, Higher Fire or Echoes In Blood, there’s a militant, mid-paced pomp to their sound, muscular riffs and solos sufficiently righteous to get the blood and, hopefully come festival season, fists pumping.
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