Formed in 2012, Swedish true metal warriors Brothers of Metal return with all the riffs on third full-length studio release Fimbulvinter (AFM Records). Consisting of eight members, four of whom share two surnames without actually being related, does seem to confuse some people for some reason. Although to be fair, eight-piece bands aren’t exactly common in metal, and one with three vocalists and three guitarists even less so.

So, as usual, the completely unrelated vocal partnership of clean-toned Ylva Eriksson and the gruff Joakim Lindbäck Eriksson is completed by the even gruffer Mats Nilsson while (again, unrelated) guitarist Pähr Nilsson and Dawid Grahn partner up for axe duties, with contributions from recently recruited live guitarist Christian Larsson. 

Opening with a suitably cinematic intro, “Sowilo” kicks things off with a mid-paced gallop, an anthemic chorus, and clear and confident vocals from (Ylva) Eriksson. “Flight of the Ravens” follows and is clear evidence of what happens when Manowar and Amon Amarth get drunk and sexy with each other at the local tavern.

“Giantslayer” comes with orchestral backing and dramatic riffery while “Heart of Stone” features (Joakim) Eriksson sounding like prime Udo Dirkschneider, the song equipped with a refrain that sounds like a sneaky reworking of Manowar classic “Holy War.” Traditional Viking balladry meets modern on power metal on “Rivers of Gold,” another cut with an irresistible chorus and a sensational melodic guitar solo while “Blood Red Sky” possesses a distinctly Celtic feel, its weighty core backed by Viking chanting.

The Rhapsody of Fire-esque “Ratatos” carries a powerful melody and playful keys before the simple but effective “Chasing Lights” and the throwaway fun of “Heavy Metal Viking,” a metal-worshipping single with an equally fun promo video. Bassist Emil Wärmedal and drummer Johan Johansson drive “The Other Son of Odin”  forward, another guaranteed crowd-pleasing anthem despite a dubiously cheesy “breaking the jaw” line.

It’s no surprise to find that “Berserkir” is one of the heaviest tracks on the record, this surge of power offset by the power balladry of “Nanna’s Fate” into which Eriksson packs arguably her best performance of the album, and which in all honesty probably doesn’t need the male backing vocals. The apocalyptic title track brings the curtain down in the best possible way, its name an omen portending the arrival of Ragnarök.

Rammed to the rafters with catchy hooks, mighty riffs, memorable choruses and just the faintest whiff of cheese, Fimbulvinter is pure Viking power metal at its finest.

Buy the album here:
https://www.afm-records.de/en/

8 / 10
GARY ALCOCK