A step up from Age of Winters, the vocals are still boring and uninspired (though slightly improved), but the riffs are tighter, more dynamic, and the overall feel of the album is more confident and energetic. The production is still off, but it kind of works for these guys, and it matters less on this album as the instrumentation has notably improved. The drumming takes a back seat (once again) but there's enough cool fills and simple but solid patterns to keep you bouncing without distracting you from the great guitar playing. The final two tracks are the best material The Sword has written.
All things considered, some will find this mind-numbingly dull, others will marvel at the gritty, heavy, ass-kicking riffing. Personally I find it enormously refreshing to hear this kind of "old school" metal done so well in 2008.
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