Sweden – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Haimad – When Night Rode Across the North

Vicky

In case you’ve been living under a gigantic stone (not even a rock) for the past three or so decades and you have no idea what’s been going on in Northern European Black Metal, here’s a not-so-gory-and-without-too-many-details close-up: there was this Norwegian band called Mayhem, that started playing Occult Metal, did all sorts of highly “interesting” things, and got a lot of media attention due to two deaths in the group – the suicide of Per Yngve Ohlin (a.k.a. Dead), and the murder of Øystein Aarseth (a.k.a. Euronymous), committed by fellow bandmate Varg Vikernes (currently of Burzum). Now, with that in mind (and without too much morbid information on the topic, you’re welcome), we can go on and talk about the new Haimad material, the band’s debut album, When Night Rode Across the North. For your information, the band has been active for 25 years, however, as aforestated, this is their first full-length material.

Vintersorg – Vattenkrafternas Spel

Metalcatto

I guess it’s time for us to get really folky! Vintersorg is back, and there aren’t many bands in the Black/Folk/Prog world that have managed to keep such a unique blend alive without turning into a parody of themselves. Vattenkrafternas Spel has the complex task of continuing the almost perfect run the band has maintained for so long. Also, I couldn’t find confirmation in the promo material, but wouldn’t this be the end of the elemental tetralogy? I mean, water was the only one missing, so it would make sense! I’ll admit it—I’m a sucker for long and high-risk conceptual endeavors.

In Mouring – The Immortal

Metalcatto

Saying that I was excited about In Mourning’s The Immortal would be an understatement. I’m old school; I’ve been a fan since Monolith and Shrouded Divine. Everything after that has been the highest level of MeloProg consistency ever seen in that niche. If anything, the band could easily top a list of the most underrated acts in Metal. However, with every great release, the risk of the next one being a flop increases. The Bleeding Veil was outstanding, but can the band keep up with this ridiculous run? Let’s find out!

Korp – And Darker It Shall Become

Metalcatto

It’s been some time since we checked in on epic comebacks. Not that there have been many this year, but I was hoping Korp could deliver one for us. And Darker it Shall Become has everything, in principle, to succeed at this task. There’s nothing like an album you can’t easily define to do the job. This one is a strange mix of Death, Black, and Thrash Metal that I feared might leave us numb—but you know, the past is always full of disappointment and regret, which is why I approached it cautiously. Sick artwork, though! Let’s do this.

Unleashed – Fire Upon Your Lands

Metalcatto

Unleashed is an institution in Swedish Death Metal. The band was there at the dawn of time, back when everyone played with the same rancid distortion pedal and accidentally created a music subgenre. Fire Upon Your Lands is supposed to be a health check for a band that still feels fresh despite its years. I know — a Swedish band singing about Viking stuff already feels like raining over the ocean, but when you have such a classic act, things can go either really well or make you regret being a Metalhead. Let’s see which one we end up with here, ok? Wish me luck.

An Abstract Illusion – The Sleeping City

Metalcatto

I was there when An Abstract Illusion released Illuminate the Path and blew me away. Little did I know the band could reach even greater heights with Woe. Ever since Opeth traded Progressive Death Metal for Dadcore, Sweden hasn’t had a band to carry that torch. Meanwhile, scenes in Australia, Norway, and Germany have been thriving, building names of their own. But it was about time someone from the land of meatballs and cinnamon buns responded with authority. The Sleeping City could be that answer. The catch? The band is stepping into an almost impossible challenge. I mean, Woe was the Prog album of 2022, right? Let’s go.

LOMMI- 667788

Metalcatto

There’s something you need to know about me as a proud Stockholmer: I can’t miss a chance to make fun of Gothenburg. So you can imagine my disappointment when I got LOMMI‘s 667788 (or as I like to call it, grandpa’s password) and not a single member was named Glenn or Jimmy. You’d have to be deep in the culture to get that joke. Still, I promised myself I’d put my prejudice aside and give this Heavy/Groove Metal outfit a fair shot. Will I be biased because of city rivalries? Absolutely. But I’ll try to behave.

Shadows – Miseria

Metalcatto

I might’ve said it before, but this year seems to be a big one for Blackened Death Metal, and Shadows wants in on the trend with Miseria. At first glance, the album gives the impression that it’s more than ready to do the job—punching a hole through your emotions and unleashing the evil beast that lurks inside your heart. Does that make any sense? No clue. But what I do know is what this album offers, and I’m about to tell you.

Floating – Hesitating Lights

Metalcatto

Let me say something straight: I meant to review this way earlier, but life (and summer holidays) got in the way. Even after the delay, I couldn’t bring myself to ignore Floating. A band claiming to mix Death Metal with Post-Punk? That doesn’t happen every day. I needed to hear it to believe it! Hesitating Lights might just be that weird record that ends up on the “best genre fusion” list by the end of the year. Or am I being overly optimistic? Is it too soon? I don’t know—but let’s get to work, ok?

Eternal Darkness – Eternal Darkness

Metalcatto

I usually don’t give much context about the bands we review at MER, but this time is different—and not just because it’s a Swedish band again. Eternal Darkness – Eternal Darkness is a debut that took 35 years to get done. I wasn’t even born when the first idea for it started emerging! And yet, I find out the band has already split. Dead before being properly born—well, it can’t get more Death Metal than that. Let’s get to it!