Tag Archives: Sweden

Reviews

(review) Civil War – Invaders (Napalm Records)

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Year: 2022

Power/Heavy metal

After the album called Coat Of Arms, drummer, both guitarists and keyboard player of Sabaton left the band and formed another, called Civil War. Swedes continued in a way where they left off with their previous band, but also continued in a bit less melodic and bit more metal oriented harsher war metal style. Lyrics deal with warfare and battles throughout the centuries with some keyboard based melodies on top of guitars like in Dead Man´s Glory which kind of reminds me also of folk metal songs. Musicianship is awesome, especially keyboards, courtesy of former Sabaton man Daniel Myhr. This is the first full length album with new singer Kelly Sundown Carpenter, who replaced Nils Patrik Johansson and sounds high pitched, yet melodic and versatile enough for such music not to be sunken among all the mediocre ones. Songs like Andersonville, Warrior Soul, Battle Of Life or the title song, Invaders are sure to make your old metal warrior´s heart beat faster. This is great metal record by great band.

7,5/10

News

A Case Of Corona: New Single by Venerea!

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After their massive single “Summer of 94” spreading a very positive vibe – the next single release for Venerea’s new album also does have something to do with spreading and positivity. But well, in a way different way…
“A Case Of Corona highlights a positive side effect of Covid (for a-holes.) It describes a relationship running on empty, so the narrator fantasizes about his partner getting sick so that he can feel needed again.”, says the band about the new song “A Case Of Corona”.

“Practice at empathizing with fictional idiots is only one reason why listening to skate punk will make you a better person. Physical fitness is another, since the cracking tune will surely make you want to jump about enthusiastically”, explains the band further.

Venerea first rose to infamy during the Swedish mid-nineties punk boom, with genre-defining albums such as Both Ends Burning, Shake Your Booty and One Louder.

They have toured extensively through Europe as well as occasional visits to Asia and North America, alternating headlining stints with festivals and package tours such as Vans Off The Wall, sharing stages with everyone from Snfu and Bad Religion to NoFx and Propagandhi. 

The next chapter begins on August 26th with the release of new LP/CD Euro Trash on Sbäm Records, filled to the brim with instant classic bangers such as pre-release download single Summer Of ‘94 featuring guest vocals from Kola (Millencolin), Geir (Adhesive) & Ingo (No Fun At All) but even without the all star cast they have never sounded better.

The band’s popular brand of melodic hardcore & dual guitar/dual vocal approach is instantly recognizable & the new tunes will stick like glue. The lyrics keep coming from out of left field, with topics including possible byproducts of covid, morbid rubbernecking, needy musicians, forced adoption, extreme nerdery, obese hijinx, the biography of an ex-drummer’s wife (in two parts), requited self-deception, the imaginary world, & the importance of sucking. 

Euro Trash was expertly produced by Gustav Brunn (Atlas Losing Grip) at legendary Tambourine Studios, Malmö.

Reviews

(review) Watain – The Agony & Ecstasy of Watain (Nuclear Blast)

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One thing must be said, much respect to these Swedes for being true to themselves and keeping the bloody flag of melodic epic black metal from North alive and high. After immense void left by the demise of Dissection there was a long time no successor, who would take the fallen sword and lead the charge. When Watain started their fight, I knew there was something special about them. Now, sixth opus is upon us. Ten songs of aggressive black metal with some thrash undertones, but done in that Swedish way, with melodic epic guitar work, blast beats mixing with more slower atmospheric parts and Erik Danielsson´s trademark vocals that are snarling yet understandable, not dissimilar to late great Jon Nodtveidt. But, although Watain reminds of that legendary band, they are black metal for the new dark millenia. Besides more aggressive songs like excellent The howling, there is also some slower, but so strong songs like Serimosa, one of my personal favorites on this record. Its rolling melody sounds like thunder on the dark mountain. Black cunt is another lovely song I must mention, very technical with lots of rhythm change and bringing kind of darkened sensuality from the other worlds. The sheer ferocity of Leper´s grace reminded me of early Immortal, Battles in the north era of songwriting, no holds barred black metal attack. After an instrumental intermezzo Not sun, nor man, nor god, there is a second chapter and this brings out the heavy artillery or the best this album has to offer. Songs like Before the cataclysm or We remain with its haunting clean vocal melody, are lesson in darkness. This is for sure one of the best black metal releases this year.

9/10