Tag Archives: Swedish

Welcome to day 20 of my ‘Album of the Year 2016’ top 30 countdown. I’m exactly two-thirds the way through this mammoth annual undertaking and the quality music just keeps on coming and keeps on getting better and better. To those of you who have been with me since the beginning, I thank you. To  Continue Reading »

Artist: In Flames Album Title: Battles Label: Nuclear Blast Date Of Release: 11 November 2016 In Flames. Where do I begin with my review of ‘Battles’, the Swedish juggernaut’s thirteenth album of their career? How about at the beginning, with a little personal context? In Flames were the very first band that I was exposed  Continue Reading »

Artist: Enbound Album Title: The Blackened Heart Label: Inner Wound Recordings Date Of Release: 18 November 2016 If I’m honest, I thought Swedish melodic metallers Enbound were one of those bands that had been sadly consigned to the ‘one album wonders’ dustbin, having released the marvellous debut ‘And She Said Gold’ back in 2011 only  Continue Reading »

Artist: Hammerfall Album Title: Built To Last Label: Napalm Records Date Of Release: 4 November 2016 Hammerfall were one of the first bands that I listened to during a period of power metal discovery around the turn of the millennium, when I simply couldn’t get enough of this genre. Alongside Gamma Ray, Sonata Arctica and  Continue Reading »