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Unleashed: Hammer battalion

02/07/08 || Kampfar

“Hammer battalion” is Unleashed’s 9th full-length – some of which are classics, influential and shit, and that for real, not just in my head – but many years have now passed since they churned out anything worth tattooing their logo for. Not that I ever did or would do such a thing, but I wouldn’t be surprised if some found the motivation needed after listening to “Shadows in the deep” a couple times too many. With “Hammer battalion”, as can be read on their home-page, the band has even greater goals. If you check the biography section, you will learn that it isn’t much of a biography, yes you will, but also that this very album is envisioned to make people around the globe form terrorist cells on line with Al-Qaida, Allah switched with Odin, to rebel against a conform and fucked up society.

(Yes, you are allowed to laugh)

I support the idea, as I am indeed a fan of chaos, even when it involves me, but I don’t think you will see a horde of Unleashed clothed maniacs blow up/down the UN building anytime soon. More like never. I’m sure there is some mean (and not just ugly) metal bastards out there, ones more than able to beat, or otherwise mutilate me into pulp, but my experience is nonetheless that 95% of metal twats are easy prey, confused at it. Unleashed shan’t be accused for being confused, hail Odin on that, as this lot, quite steady line-up and all, have more or less made the same album for the last 20 years or so. This must, however, not necessarily be taken as a negative remark, Bolt Thrower alone making it so. While not shining as bright as any Bolt album, without Dave Ingram on vocals, that is, or their own best work, “Hammer battalion” at least showcases a band still full of vigor and will. Not to forget attitude.

This thought to be riot inducer opens with a decent kick in the face, “The greatest of all lies” convincingly screamed and half-blasted into place. But when we speak Unleashed, something I seldom do, break-downs are ever lurking, the quality of them often deciding whether a song will please or not. I’m, if not overly happy, at least reporting that “Hammer battalion” is, if not very choked, pretty much littered with reasons to headbang. This is not only thanks to a fine effort from the guitarist, and the band in general, but also due to a recording session well captured. Some might think of the production as clean and polished, I think powerful and with oomph.

Time to be a sourpoop, for “Hammer battalion” is not a perfect album, “Midsummer solstice” and “Home of the brave” both very close to shit and not something a perfect album would include. Uninspired and generic is my verdict. Those two might be the only close-to-shitters, but I would prefer if they had let it be with 9, max 10 songs. It’s not like the Swedes are stuck in one gear or anything, they have like 3 or 4, but 45 minutes of their formula is circa 10 too many.

Apart from increased, close to excessive soloing, and a light use of proper blasts, “Hammer battalion” is exactly what Unleashed has been doing since the early 90’s, like it or not.

7 not to take place riots out of 10.

Information
Released: 2008
Label: SPV
Website: www.unleashed.se
Band
Johnny Hedlund: vocals, bass
Fredrik Folkare: guitar
Tomas Måsgård: guitar
Anders Schultz: drums

Tracklist
01. The greatest of all lies
02. Long before winter’s call
03. Your children will burn
04. Long before winter’s call
05. This day belongs to me
06. Marching off to war
07. Entering the hall of the slain
08. Black horizon
09. Carved in stone
10. Warriors of Midgard
11. Midsummer solstice
12. Home of the brave
13. I want you dead

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