Review UNLEASHED “Fire Upon Your Lands”

Unleashed is a band that has been around for a long time. The band’s roots go back to 1989. The band that became a forerunner of Swedish death metal was started by him after Johnny Hedlund and Nihilist parted ways.

The four-piece premiered in 1991 with an album called “Where No Life Dwells”, marking the beginning of an ongoing death metal endeavour. The band’s latest album is set to be released soon and “Fire Upon Your Lands” is the 15th album from the Swedish metal band, showcasing the relentless power of Hedlund and his bandmates.

The current line-up includes Johnny Hedlund (bass/vocals), Anders Schultz (drums), Tomas Måsgard (guitar) and Fredrik Folkare (guitar). The band has been playing together for 30 years, and this collaboration functions as a well-oiled death metal machine.

This long-lasting musical relationship is one of the reasons why the latest album shines. The guys are not only great musicians. They are also in sync with what they are doing: executing thunderous death metal.

Thematically, “Fire Upon Your Lands” picks up where the band left off with “No Sign of Life”. Still navigating in the Viking world, Unleashed are connected to the World of Odalheim, and the 11 battle hymns on the album showcase a band that plays sophisticated yet untamed death metal with some melodic guitar solos.

The album opens with the roaring blast of “Left for Dead”, which the band placed at the top of the tracklist. The song is about the warriors of Midgard who decided the fate of the captured son of White Christ. It’s a great start to an album that has no weak spots.

Unleashed have kept their songs sharp and to the point. There are no dramatically long tracks on “Fire Upon Your Lands”. Most of the tracks are around three minutes long, giving the album a sharp musical spirit.

‘The Road to Haifa Pier’ is a furious death metal blast, while the band shifts gears with the intense “War Comes Again”. The title track is a treat thanks to its archaic punch: a mid-paced anthem with an evil grin. One of Unleashed’s greatest strengths is Hedlund’s vocals. His raspy growls add to the band’s heaviness and, at the same time, have a certain narrative quality. Listening to the songs on “Fire Upon Your Lands” is like enjoying eleven musically accentuated short stories. The blend of music and lyrics creates a fascinating momentum when listening to these tunes.

The galloping beat drives “To My Only Son”, while the slower-paced “Hold Your Hammers High!” combines aggression with a melodic approach. The slowed-down chorus is the highlight of the song and has enough potential to become a permanent part of the band’s future setlists.

The final track of the record is entitled “Unknown Flag”. It is a very exciting ending to the album, with powerful rhythms and great guitar parts. The filigree solo sections provide a welcome distraction that fits perfectly with the context of this song.

With their 15th studio album, “Fire Upon Your Lands”, Unleashed prove that they are still on fire. Driven by a shared passion for heavy metal, the Swedish veterans deliver an impressive album that will put your neck muscles to the test. Headbanging to these tunes is not optional. It’s a must. Horns up!