Tag: Viking

Borknagar – Fall Review

There is something beautiful about Borknagar’s career. In many ways, they’re a poster band for consistency. Their sound has evolved so much over the years that they probably lost a few second-wave-of-black-metal-die-hards. Still, for those

Triumpher – Storming The Walls Review

Has anyone ever asked you the seemingly basic question, “Why do you like heavy metal?” Sometimes that question comes from a place of disgust, as in, “How can you listen to all that noise?” Sometimes

Diamonds & Rust: Enslaved ‒ Mardraum ‒ Beyond the Within

Enslaved’s career is one defined by eras. They started as perhaps the most prodigious band of Norway’s second wave of black metal, releasing their Hordanes Land EP when guitarist Ivar Bjørnson was a mere 15

Diamonds & Rust: Bathory – Blood On Ice

[Artwork by Jan Kristian Wåhlin / Necrolord] Let’s kick things off by chewing on the following statement: « Blood On Ice is Bathory’s best album » How do you enjoy them apples, Hyborians? Whoa! Put

Enslaved – Utgard Review

The greatest artists tap into something beyond themselves and speak elemental truths from everyday syllables. Certainly in the case of music, the presence of a sympathetic or at least engaged listener helps to close the

Enslaved – E Review

I hated Vertebrae for nine years. Unless you’ve been a part of the LR crew, you probably weren’t privy to that particular tidbit. And now that you are aware, it’s quite likely that you don’t really

Sons Of Crom – Riddle Of Steel Review

It’s funny how directly imitating a unique, legendary band can lead to wide variety of reactions among both critics and fans. There aren’t a lot of Meshuggah clones out there that have gotten more than

A Devil’s Dozen – Bathory

In terms of both creative achievement and scope of influence, Bathory is rivaled by only the most revered names in metal. Despite spending its entire career in relative (and to an extent self-imposed) obscurity, Bathory’s