Metal Track of the Week: The Swedish Pagans Return!

Another week stuck at home, but at least here in the UK we have signs of hope that the end is near. That sounded a little bleaker than I had intended, the end of lockdown I meant. That first festival after almost 2 years is going to be carnage! On a musical front, Swedish power metal legends Sabaton return, and plenty of crushing metal from Brand of Sacrifice, Avalanche Effect and Vexed.

Swedish pagans Sabaton released their first track in their native song since Carolus Rex. Livgardet is an anthem to celebrate the Swedish Royal Guard, and will feature an English language release in April. Fellow Swede’s Metalite released another track from their upcoming third album A Virtual World. I thought it was weird that a power-pop metal band would release a cover of an In Flames classic. But alas it is an original track, continuing their trend of infection hooks that you will need a bone-saw to remove from your brain.

We got the first of 4 EPs due this year from Of Mice & Men in Timeless, accompanied by the final single release Anchor. Dealing with the theme of an uncertain future in an ever changing world, fitting ever so perfectly in the current state of Planet Earth. Does the release of 4 EPs signal what could become of the future of music releases int he age of streaming?

I got introduced to German metalcore band Avalanche Effect this week, with the release of their latest single The Veil. The clean singalong passages are very nu-metal, but with an excellent heavily downtuned riff. Whilst it contains all the standard components of a DIY metalcore kit, the execution is terrific. The subtle synth accompaniment to the chorus is expertly layered to just add to the sound without taking centre stage. And of course, the breakdown is on point – the staccato background synth again works perfectly.

Alongside the release of the stunning Omega album from Epica came latest single The Skeleton Key. Taking us on a journey through gloomy, gothic opus as Epica have made themselves the premier name in. Are Combichrist teasing a new album with the release of single Not My Enemy this week? The long time industrial metal pioneers continue doing what they do best – punishing EDM from the gates of hell.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if someone released a blackened rock n roll record? Well Norweigian Viking metal band Einherjer made it happen with new release West Coast Groove of their latest album North Star. Newcomers to the scene, djenty crew Vexed announced their debut album Culling Culture, joined by single release Hideous. Sitting somewhere on the djent/prog/deathcore spectrum, but not straying too far into the prog spectrum, leaving plenty of straight forward pumping groove to show off your head banging skills.

Joining the party was carnage incarnate from Canadian deathcore pummelers Brand of Sacrifice. Altered Eyes, off their upcoming album Lifeblood is brutal, crushing, and fills your bree quota for the day. The outro breakdown is heavy enough to weigh down a fully grown mountain lion. Looking for more deathcore? Take Me To Hell from Florida’s Bodysnatcher is there to answer. Brutal down tempo down-tuned chugging and pinch harmonics to give you the Slam feels.

So there have been plenty of top tracks released this week. Feels like we have been hit with a wave of heavy crushing enough to flatten a city. I am going to give it to Brand of Sacrifice as this week’s winner with their bone crushing track Altered Eyes. Close runner up goes to The Veil from Avalanche effect with a perfectly executed metalcore hit.

Check out last weeks Metal Track of the Week.

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