The Fathers of Swedish Death Metal Unleashed are back with their 13th full-length album The Hunt For White Christ. Created in the winter of 2018 at Chrome Studios, Stockholm the album is the fourth of a continued story aptly named “World of Odalheim and their Midgard Warriors”, which is inspired and crafted by founding member Johnny Hedlund (Bass/Vocals).
Warning: Prepare for continual raising of hand signs that universally associate themselves with metal worldwide! Right from the get go, The Hunt For White Christ launches into utter chaos with opener and first single off of the album “Lead Us into War”, a driving blast beating track with a palm muted sections that could actually force one’s head off of ones shoulders!With the openers marauding energy we’re left with an assuring fact, sonically the The Hunt For White Christ pommels the four pieces previous release Dawn Of The Nine (2016) production wise.
There may be gentler ways to put the case forward but the pure girth of The Hunt For White Christ is unrelenting and captivating. “Stand Your Ground” is another direct example of the locked in power of Unleashed’s style of pure metal! The chorus lyrics (being the title of the track) tidal wave over the demolishing riffage by Fredrik Folkare and Tomas Olsson (Guitars) shouts of “Stand Your Ground” gives an opportunity to chant over and over as the track pounds away!
The gargantuan stand out during The Hunt For White Christ is the writing across the board, presented is a variety of insane guitar solos, one of many proving examples of such thing features on “Gram” which sees the fret board become a tapestry of precise notation as it wails on. Soon after one experiences the taunting percussive terror by Anders Schultz (Drums) on “Terror Christ” and again the guttural vocal offerings by Johnny Hedlund drive the nail home on every track! This is no clearer than on “They Rape the Land”, the title in itself gives the clue that this tale isn’t for the faint hearted nor for the easily offended, be sure to grab the lyrics book for this one, it’s poetically brutal! Wow!
Again, capturing the brutality of history in a time where Odin ruled with iron a brawn the title track “The Hunt For White Christ” makes no apologies with lyrics “We will hunt you down!” giving absolute confirmation that Unleashed are well set in their beliefs and back them with conviction and with every muscle each member possess!
With a career that has spanned almost three decades Unleashed have chosen to not ride into the sunset with their legacy left in question! Instead the Swedes have again removed any doubt of slowing down or phoning in as The Hunt For White Christ is a fresh serving of absolute heaviest of all the METALS!
Crank it loud and shout it proud!
