A recap of the band’s recent albums, such as “Dawn of the Nine”, “The Hunt for White Christ”, and “No Sign of Life”, tells us beyond doubt that the new album holds up the powerful and energized formula. Unleashed brings to fans a powerful direction in the vein of old-school death metal. The veterans fronted by Johnny Hedlund (bass, vocals), Anders Schultz (drums), Tomas Måsgard (guitars), and Fredrik Folkare (guitars) return to claim their throne under the banner of the mighty Thor.

One of the main aspects that struck me was how Unleashed perfects its approach to its Viking brand of death metal; the album has the classic aesthetics of the early albums, such as “Midvinterblot”, “Hammer Battalion Unleashed”, and “Odalheim“. The songs are sinister and full of melodic guitar hooks, packed with riffing barrage and melodic solos, characterized by epic and powerful majesty in the opening tracks “Left for the Dead” and “A Toast to The Fallen”.

The riffs groove fiercely through fast-paced and mid-tempo sections, showcasing their ability by dropping killer main riffs and thus creating hefty dynamics with the stomping drum beats and blast beats. Each track on this album offers top-notch precision from the veterans, who constantly batter your skull on tracks like “The Road to Haifa Pier”. The dual guitars provide technical efficiency, creating a cinematic war-like atmosphere that sweeps off with driving rhythms, swift melodic leads, and blast beats.

However, the fifteenth album continues the story of Odalheim from Norse mythology; many of these songs, such as “War Comes Again” and “Fire Upon Your Lands”, feature the grit and ferocity typical of Unleashed.

The blazing solos unmistakably carry an epic influence, not to forget the excellent and charismatic raw vocals of Johnny Hedlund. The guitars have a massive impact tone with powerful riffs layered between the dark passages, and the attitude of the vicious growls. The production is stellar, and the songwriting on the album is the best since “The Dawn of the Nine”.

Although this time the melodies, the guitar solos fire up the intensity, the songs contain chaotic tempos before the drums gallop into straightforward blast beats, and there are no dull moments. Unleashed keeps the raw riffing effect steady on “Loyal to The End”. The riffs are so catchy and powerful, and it feels like the album has some patterns taken from the band’s classic album “Where No Life Dwells”.

The riffs are epic, while the slow tempos are heavy and crushing. There is enough room for atmosphere to shine when the intensity slows down to focus on galloping mid-paced sections. “Midjardarhaf” is one of the darkest and brutal songs, with melodic inspiration from the guitars and bludgeoning aggression and atmosphere. Unleashed seems to capture the old classic sound.

The solid aggression on “Hail the Varangians!” is brought at the speed of lightning-like strikes and ferocity, firing out thrashing drum beats and majestic anthemic choruses. The layered guitar work burst into windmilling power and Viking rage. There are plenty of hooks and blasting drum fills. If anything, “Fie Upon Your Lands” has convincing riffing structures and enough backbone to the songs.

“To My Only Son” is one of the examples of excellent musicianship; the guitar work slays and forces you to head-bang to the savage riffs, organic drumming, and riffing gallops that fit the abrasive style of Unleashed.

“Hold Your Hammers High!” and the closing track “Unknown Flag” are both epic; they offer a steamrolling slow tempos and driven riffs focusing on atmosphere and acrobatic solos. The brutal pace is maintained to the maximum, delivering one of the memorable songs, and giving the guitar work great balance over the war-like growls and blazing riffs.

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