Gjallorhorn
NORDHEIM

September 2005
Released: 2005, SPV
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Evil Rocker

Even the cover of this album looks like DOOMSWORD! The similarities between GJALLORHORN and DOOMSWORD are incredible. Well, not really incredible, rather, fully expected since GJALLORHORN is essentially a pseudonym for the Swedish/Italian project a.k.a. DOOMSWORD. Although this is a 2005 release it was recorded in 2003.



As far as I am concerned, GJALLORHORN plays "Viking Metal" as it should be. It is on the raw side, lyrically true and picturesque, and acceptable amounts of chant and animal howl effects. This album may be somewhat faster than DOOMSWORD but it is essentially the same material if a bit shorter at 39 minutes total playing time. GJALLORHORN fits well into the Viking metal genre and indeed is right up there with the best of them.



This album has elements of a variety of Viking Metal bands heard throughout the CD, including FALKENBACH, WYRD, EINHERJER, BATHORY (note that album title), some old THYRFING, and an occasional reminder of PRIMORDIAL. Of note, track four "Chaos Unleashed" has a distinctly MANOWAR Triumph of Steel riff at the outset.



Note that this is in no way death metal based, as some so-called Viking metal bands are. It is classic/traditional metal based. Overall this is a solid album. It could have been somewhat longer and the production could have benefited from some sharpening here and there.