•
Rating: Over time, the creation of "JB" Christoffersson has become a benchmark in Scandinavian heavy metal. In the home of the most extremist black metal, the simple and old style proposal of Grand Magus went almost unnoticed, slowly and with difficulty making its way.
The beginning is largely influenced by early stoner rock, echoing compatriots Spiritual Beggars (a band in which Christoffersson also played). Moreover, the style of Grand Magus also calls to mind a very personal and atypical Viking sound made of rocky riffs, but light-years away from the abrasive dominance of Amon Amarth. Theirs is a compact, solid mix with no smudges: these characteristics have allowed them to produce good/excellent works, including the eponymous debut CD, "Monument," and "Iron Will."
Hammer of the North is the latest platter that the Stockholm band has given birth to: since 2008, the year of "Iron Will" release, the lineup has remained unchanged, as have the foundational elements of their music. Christoffersson’s guitar prevails, but Fox Skinner's four-string also appears more involved: a prolific union that finds its climax in the title track, powerful, fluid, and a true gem of the album. Everything is still as good as ever, but if in the past, the quality level was always consistently maintained throughout the entire platter, in this case, Grand Magus loses the first shots. Indeed, if "Northern Star" confirms the good they are capable of, tracks like "The Lord of Lies," "At Midnight They'll Get Wise," and "Bond of Blood" frankly result lacking in interesting cues: some well-placed choruses are missing, the epic and sustained pathos that brought success to the early records is missing. Mannerism? Superficiality? It's difficult to answer, but in "Hammer of the North" there is a subtle state of fatigue that inevitably impacts the final result: certainly, there are interesting and energetic pieces (listen to "Black Sails"), but they too are beginning to become part of the usual band repertoire. The Swedish trio shows they know what they are doing: a certain degree of humility is especially evident, but unfortunately, the freshness of the beginnings is lacking. A sufficient album for a group that can undoubtedly give much more.
1. "I, The Jury" (4:14)
2. "Hammer Of The North" (5:13)
3. "Black Sails" (5:07)
4. "Mountains Be My Throne" (3:45)
5. "Northern Star" (4:19)
6. "The Lord Of Lies" (6:13)
7. "At Midnight They'll Get Wise" (3:44)
8. "Bond Of Blood" (4:43)
9. "Savage Tales" (4:42)
10. "Ravens Guide Our Way" (5:52)
Tracklist and Videos
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By Hellring
The final result is that of a flat, weak album, twisted around itself.
There is a noticeable lack of 'compositional verve' in what could be their least genuine work.
