VANIR

Allfather

MIGHTY MUSIC Danish warriors proffer a postfestive axe to the back of the head

Allfather confirms that Vanir have matured into one of Denmark’s most formidable bands. This is vigorously straightforward stuff: a raging, bombastic take on Amon Amarth-style melodeath with flashes of folk metal pomp and plenty of noble classicism to boot. On ripping opener

Vaeringjar and the immaculate savagery of

Shield Wall, Vanir are simply world class and it’s hard to imagine metalheads not embracing this in their hairy droves. Fejd steps firmly into overwrought prog metal ballad territory, but Vanir’s perpetually gritty gait ensures that the song fits perfectly in place. A furious and grandiose cover of Manowar’s Thor

(The Powerhead) plays things deadly straight and robustly honours the original as a result. Metal as fuck, basically.