It’s time to stop being pussies, lock and load and go into battle, Unleashed are back and it’s killing time again soldiers. There must be the foul stench of death in the air as with a thunk the sound of heavy artillery hit my doormat with albums by Unleashed, Grave and Cryptopsy all turning up at the same time. Well the Canadians may well have thrown a bit of a curveball into their new release but as far as the Swedish ‘masters of death’ are concerned it’s business as usual and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Johnny Hedlund’s army have been ever reliable since they first (ahem) unleashed ‘Where No Life Dwells’ back in 1991 and all this time later they still very much have an ethos like the Daleks and want to exterminate everything in their path. Not that they are going to do it with any laser beams; swords, axes and other up close and personal sharp objects will do just fine thank-you very much.
13 songs, 45 minutes, play hit, charge! There is no slow build up as ‘The Greatest Of All Lies’ ploughs in with a mighty roar and drums get a good solid whacking. The elongated vocal ‘roaaaar’ really does sound like a lion going in for the kill and playing with its prey. In the case of much of this album and indeed this opening number that prey is good ole religion. Nice cutting guitar solos flagellate along the way as this sets up to crucify all in its path. Nobody is safe from this assault apparently even ‘Your Children Will Burn’. Perhaps they should be careful that they don’t miss any, look what happened with Conan. Speaking of which, this has all the barbarian credentials you would anticipate and the title track itself certainly knocks you silly with its infectious ploughed out carnage.
On the whole this does not at first strike you as having many really catchy songs such as the fantastic ‘Don’t Want To Be Born’ which kick-started off ‘Hells Unleashed’ in such style. However this time round it is the two last songs that are the ones which will probably have you really getting into them and wishing you could get in the pit and head-bang to them right now. ‘Home Of The Brave’ is a blinder; great gnarly vocals hammer the song title into you without mercy. The grinding guitar weaves, flailing solos and hefty drumming add to the onslaught perfectly. “Welcome to the hammer” infuckingdeed! I wonder if this would have been a better opener though? Likewise ‘I Want You Dead’ is the perfect closer and does exactly what it says on the ammo tin.
If you love Unleashed, you are going to be as happy as grunt in the firing line with this. If not, well wave a white flag and run home to your mamma.
http://www.unleashed.se
