Turisas
Stand up and Fight

June 2011
Released: 2011, Century Media Records
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Metal-Rules.com UK Team

The fury freaks on Viking metal band Turisas have hit our world with yet another great album. Stand up and Fight is your standard Turisas album. Chocked to the brim full of battle hardened metal chants, fist mumping guitar riffs and that bombastic classical instrumental side to it. Prepare for the hammer of Thor to smash your face in during every single song, because Turisas are ready for war. PREPARE FOR BATTLE!



With every album, Turisas try to ensure that their audience have something to be a part of. Something to chant to, something to bang their head to, something to air trumpet to, and Stand up and Fight does not let this trend down. You have nine songs here which could all be played at a Turisas Concert: A. For their catchiness and B. For there bombasticness which is required in every Turisas song. Tracks like: “Take the Day”, “The Great Escape” supply the audience with fist pumping anthems which could easily ignite into a pit even if you are listening to it by yourself at home. Plus when you get to the chorus’s of “Take the Day” your voice will be fucking shattered after attempting to chant along with the powerful voices of Turisas!



What makes this album special is the title track ‘Stand up and Fight”. It’s this track alone which puts the Viking metal into Turisas. Sure, most other songs are performed in the style of Viking metal, but “Stand up and Fight” really adds the danger and fighting spirit you want to see from the mighty Turisas! That opening riff sounds so royal and regal giving a hero’s welcome when frontman’s Mathias Nygard’s voice sings through the melodic chorus and charges head first through the battle chant styled chorus. You listen to that song (Mainly the chorus) and you tell me if you don’t feel a part of the Turisas National Army.



Some of you out there will think Turisas to be a bit of a gimmick; Well, they are, but who cares really? They play kick ass metal! Sure, they may have a song called “Hunting Pirates” about a feud between themselves and Alestorm, but its all a bit of fun and in the end it’s only a band dressed up in war paint and fur coats who hate pirates. Seriously, it adds to the style of music not makes it stupid.



Let the Hairy Bastards loose, because Turisas are out for blood, pirates blood, and they wont stop making great albums until they pillage and plunder every ear drum in the world!



Reviewer: Matt Seddon