Viking

Viking is an American thrash metal band from California. They released a 1986 demo and the debut album Do Or Die (1988). A later album, Man Of Straw, and subsequent events including a conversion of a member are discussed in contemporary reviews; the band dissolved after that period.

Associated with Metal Blade/ Brian Slagel for their debut; reviewed as heavily Slayer-influenced. Review sources report Ron Eriksen adopted Christianity and the band split, with Brett Eriksen later joining Dark Angel (all details appear in the provided DeBaser review).

DeBaser's review criticizes Viking as heavily Slayer-influenced, pointing to raw production and limited compositional ability. The 1986 demo and 1988 debut Do Or Die are discussed alongside the later Man Of Straw and the band's subsequent dissolution after a religious conversion. Production and drumming are singled out as major weaknesses. The reviewer finds the output derivative and uneven.

For:Fans of 1980s thrash metal, collectors of underground metal, readers interested in critical album reviews