viking

For some reason as of late, I’m particularly anti “poseurs” in metal. And I don’t mean the pretty boy, hair metal variety that when it’s bad, it doesn’t even need someone to point out how ridiculous it can be or sound, when executed poorly, but I hate the “cosplay” metal, the metal that it’s pushed as a gimmick, the outlaw/desperado BS, the fake bravado shit, the hillbilly macho BS, anything… but particularly “Viking” metal. So you can imagine how much the title of this album, checked all the “wrong” boxes… I had to even question my editor in chief, asking him, if he was joking or expecting me to roast the band…
 

Sarpedon were formed back in 2005, by Torgeir P. Krokfjord (ex-Throne of Thor, ex-Vargariket), and they released two demos, one in 2006 and the second in 2008. They had been working on their debut all these years, when that was possible; they had been trying to do so by finding time between the members’ other responsibilities with several bands and projects. Torgeir’s brother Eirik P. Krokfjord is on vocals, Carl Engstrom (Attentat, Carpticon, Endezzma, Troll, Astaroth, ex-Moloch, etc.) and Andreas Wærholm (Unspoken, Astaroth) on bass.
 

I remember wondering while reviewing their previous album “The Hunt”, if anyone would expect any kind of musical change on behalf of the band. I guess that flirting with the Vikings couldn’t have ended up in any other way. Grand Magus have made an opening to more classic metal paths here. Even the Viking or epic ones have to admit it!