Brothers Of Metal: Emblas Saga (AFM, 2020)

It seems like just yesterday that 8-piece Swedish band Brothers Of Metal burst onto the scene with their extremely enjoyable debut album Prophecies Of Ragnarok, but they’re already back with a follow-up for us to raise our fists/alehorns/warhammers to. It’s called Emblas Saga, and it’s another over-the-top heavy metal experience.

With Emblas Saga, Brothers Of Metal took everything that worked about Prophecies Of Ragnarok – the Norse mythology themes, the huge melodies, the interplay between their three vocalists (aggressive male, clean male and female) and the theatrical symphonic elements – and dialed them all up to eleven. The battle anthems are even catchier, the different vocal styles are that much more pronounced, the production is slicker and the chroruses are that much easier to sing along to. It’s still very much in the Sabaton/Orden Ogan/Elvenking lane, with some obvious nods to Manowar, but at it’s catchiest and most symphonic Emblas Saga brings to mind eary Battle Beast as well. Once you get past the scene-setting opener, Emblas Saga serves up a dozen foot-stomping, fist-pumping Viking battle anthems that are impossible to resist. “Njord” has the perfect mix of massive heaviness and folk-infused melodies, “Powersnake” and “Hel” make you want to march to war, and “Chain Breaker,” “Brothers Unite” and “Ride Of The Valkyries” are as gloriously cheesy as they are gloriously melodic. With Emblas Saga, Brothers Of Metal have established themselves as one of the most exciting bands in the new power metal scene. This is a strong early contender for best power metal album of 2020, and something fans of Orden Ogan, Sabaton, Gloryhammer, Battle Beast, Powerwolf, Elvenking and Beast In Black should not hesitate to check out.

Album Rating

Summary: All power metal should be this much fun