StormWarrior
Heading Northe

March 2008
Released: 2008, Dockyard 1/Sound Pollution
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: Anders Sandvall

This German power/heavy metal outfit continues its quest on the seven seas with this third album, titled HEADING NORTHE. The previous album, NORTHERN RAGE, was released in 2004 and was followed by a single live disc. The band has both a new label as well as a new bass player, Yenz Leonhardt. One of the band’s biggest fans is Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray, ex- Helloween) and according to the bio the band has a huge fanbase.

Just as the title hints, the album is all about Vikings, mead, warriors and everything in between. I feel that the band has a purer heavy metal approach when compared to prior albums since there are more twin guitar duels and the tempo has been slowed down a notch - but that doesn’t affect the band’s music in a bad way. Sure, the theme has been sung about before, but Stormwarrior does it in a funny way and I can’t but love their energy.

The songs are extremely catchy and it is clear that the band is influenced by early Helloween and Running Wild. Compared to the previous album, the songs and music are more solid and stronger; it’s definitely German metal at its core. As a Swede, it’s fun to hear the Vikings in the song “Lion of the Northe” speaking Swedish. The band adds nothing new to the genre but they execute their music with such joy and passion that I’m totally charmed. One thing that worries me a little is that this is their third album and they still write about Vikings and Scandinavian mythology. I think they have to reinvent themselves on the next album or they risk becoming boring.

I love this simple yet charming album, but I think the band should be cautious in the future if they wanna continue their Viking theme. I strongly recommend this album to every fan of heavy metal, power metal, or anyone with a Viking fetish.