UNLEASHED – As Yggdrasil Trembles

If only all Viking Metal acts could have been creative as the experienced Unleashed, this sub-genre would have been credited even more. Unfortunately, Unleashed are more or less one of its kind, especially when it comes down to quality. Although there is a resemblance to the British Bolt Thrower on some manners of the music and lyrical themes, the Swedes, on this new album, have the upper hand over their British counterparts.

What we have here is a war cry of Viking warriors or just plain aggressive Swedish soldiers. Unleashed’s new baby, As Yggdrasil Trembles, is a travel through time, back and forth, from past to present. From a horde of Viking warriors bearing their weapons for mass assault, through a bloody carnage by a battalion of armed to the teeth machine gun units. Without a doubt, those are well done themes for a forthcoming old school Death Metal experience.

As Yggdrasil Trembles serves as a milestone for Unleashed as it is their tenth studio album and it will be their twentieth anniversary soon. With this new emblem, Unleashed share their devotion to plain old school Death Metal while not taking measures to new kinds of trends. Even their production, led by the band’s lead guitarist, Fredrik Folkare, merely shows the simple nature of the band’s spirit. This kind of production, unlike on their past three releases, gave them a new/old edge as a veteran Death Metal band.

As for the band’s music, it is an all out war of old school prowess. These four guys are plain amazing. The great early 90s feeling of the once immensity of Death Metal shines through the notes of firing tracks. Those tracks sanction uprising solos, nice touches of semi-melodies, old school deathly riffs and understandable classy growl vocals. Even though there is the epic sense involved, it is still something that is rather easy to enjoy instead of some crappy stuff that comes out every day. As Yggdrasil Trembles is a mere gift to an old school fan. However not everything right in front of you is the actual unblemished gold, yet, it is one of the best works of the band.

Unleashed of 2010 is a scream of experience and valor over years of extreme Metal making. As Yggdrasil Trembles is maybe another cup on their long tray of albums, yet, it shows that the true nature of Death Metal is not forgotten. May the tribe of angry Vikings will keep on punching and pounding with no mercy for additional twenty years. Happy anniversary mates!

Highlights: “Return Fire”, “Cannibalistic Epidemic Continues”, “Dead To Me”, “Courage Today, Victory Tomorrow”, “Wir Kapitulieren Niemals” (Viking Death Metal!!!), “This Time We Fight” and “So It Begins”. March with the cry for war!!