Unleashed "Sworn Allegiance" (Century Media)
By Brian Anderson
Monday. Oct 25, 1:13 PM
They're back... thank the Norse Gods!

Unleashed may have never received full credit for their hand in the development of Swedish Death Metal, but they have remained one of its main influences and forefathers. Just take a look at their history: bassist/vocalist Johnny Hedlund was a member of the band that pretty much started it all, Nihilist. When he departed, that band became Entombed. Need I say any more? However, the difference between Entombed and Unleashed is that the latter are still hammering out the sound they helped create. 15 years after their formation, there is still no denying the ferocity of Unleashed. From Johnny’s growls to the crushing devastation of the trademark distortion and riffs, Sworn Allegiance has the same unrelenting attack that made Where No Life Dwells such a quintessential release.

Sworn Allegiance is a return to form after a few lack luster albums. The band have forged a release that will appease the Viking Gods at a time when others have slipped off. “Winterland” not only opens the album, it crushes the listener with Unleashed’s signature sound. Just a few notes in and the “ahhh…” from Johnny leaves no doubt as to who this is. Fredrick and Tomas’ chugging riffs are all over the place, and “The Longships are Coming” not only proves to be one of the album’s best songs, but also one of the better grooves since early Cannibal Corpse. Plus, it deals with the band’s favorite topic of their ancient Viking godfathers. According to Johnny, “Lindisfame is said to be the first evidence of a Viking attack in 793. One can only imagine what it must have been like for the monks in the monastery when they realized what was coming their way. Praying to God for help didn’t help much…” No wonder they love those Norse and Pagan themes.

Although the theme of Sworn Allegiance is (as usual) set around their Viking heritage, Unleashed have also taken lyrical content to a few different topics this time around. There is the social commentary of “CEO,” the anthemic “Metalheads,” and The Lord of the Rings-inspired “Destruction (of the Race of Man).”

Sworn Allegiance is a true return to form. With devastating riffs, tempo changes, and melodic yet fitting solos, Unleashed are yet again showing what Swedish Death Metal is all about.
www.unleashed.nu
www.centurymedia.com

Brian Anderson

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