A bland thrash blemish on Candlelight’s exceptional year from ex-members of Einherjer that shows that you should just let sleeping Vikings lie.

Norway’s Einherjer were on of Viking metal’s early darlings with a level of creativity and experimentation that set them apart from the sword swinging hordes. Then how is that a thrash band formed by three members of the seminal act (rounded out by two members of Headblock), is such a complete wash? How is it as revered act can suddenly turn into a half hearted attempt at ripping off The Haunted, try to make it sound like classic European thrash, yet still be as utterly lifeless as this? I’m not sure and really don’t care, but either way it’s dishearteningly average.

There is literally not one moment or riff on this album that grabbed my attention. Not One. The10 banal tracks crunch with an effective gait, but the song writing is as tepid as a unsigned bar act. Vocalist Sigurd Olaison (Headblock) shouts with the same monotone and undynamic presence as the songs (except for a thankfully brief clean intro to “Derelict”), songs which cover the usual thrash mantra; a few so slow and deliberate (“Demagog”, “Parasight”, “Flagellant”) tracks but mostly the fast and choppy (“Oblivion Awaits”, “New Lament”, “Not One”, “Industrial Killing”), neither style being particularly enjoyable.

In a year of hits for Candlelight, Battered is a massive miss, but I forgive them because the good certainly outweighs the bad so far this year.

[Visit the band's website]

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