Runemagick
The Supreme Force of Eternity

Face to face with melodeath and related genres

Chapter IV - Barbaric fury of dead metal, epic and a bit over-the-top

In the vast global metal scene, crossovers of styles are very common, and it may happen that some bands, while not inventing anything new, manage to blend what has already been done by others in such a way as to achieve remarkable results. If this happens with their debut album, subsequent works will clarify whether it is true talent or just luck; in any case, at least one noteworthy album will bear the name of the band in question. And the band in question today is Runemagick, which doesn't seem like a hard name to remember, and could be of interest to those who, upon waking up in the morning, find themselves undecided whether to listen to In Flames or Manowar.

So it's melodic death metal we're dealing with, but also epic metal, as we have a growling voice, death metal onslaughts, thrashing riffs appearing here and there, and melodic inserts that nostalgically evoke the most epic eighties, those of the purest and most uncontaminated metal, of metal or death, of visceral passion and the most intense self-exaltation. After all, just look at the cover: that brawny warrior with a two-meter-long sword could decapitate all four Ninja Turtles in one bold strike, because for the enemies of metal there is no escape! It’s clear, in fact, that the band's sound is influenced by the most over-the-top and uncompromising current of epic metal, namely Manowar with their anthems and leather briefs, and although they might remind one in certain moments of their fellow countrymen Amon Amarth, the difference between the two bands is striking, as the latter have a much more "Christian-slaying" style that certainly owes a debt to Slayer. Nevertheless, a vague aura of Nordic melancholy is present in the compositions, after all, the band was born in Sweden in the nineties and certain influences are indelible, fortunately, I would add.

So what else to say? Take this album for what it is, which is anything but a masterpiece, but a good work that gives the right energy when you're in the mood for some light listening.

P.S. In case anyone is interested, the year of release is 1998, and the bassist is Peter Palmdahl, just out of the glorious Dissection. The group's leader is Nicklas Rudolfsson, a musician who has played in many Swedish bands, none of which, however, have gained any significant fame.