Rob Darken returns with more epic metal for national socialist heathen warriors of awakened Europa/Sonnenrad consciousness, evolution and the will to power under the rule of the sun Balder & Allfader Wotan! I wonder if it's intentional though that Darken is still keeping his stuff extremely minimal, without the acoustics he tried in the Lord Wind album [first one] that truly would spice up Graveland too. He isn't trying to go experimental, though there are more and more of these epic soundtrack marches that you can get album-fulls in later Lord Wind.

"Raise Your Swords" is of the same school of Bathory-inspired pagan/viking metal as the last two releases, Creed of Iron and Raiders of Revenge were. The epic intent has been further developed and despite some lack of enthusiasm for Creed, I was forced to raise my sword and ale into a mighty hail when I heard this MCD. It's compact and warlike and the hate you hear in his voice when he sings in his native tongue, on the last track which is a remaking of a Raiders... track, will stir some deep emotions in your heart.

© 2002 black hate