Heroes aren’t born overnight. The difference between a one-hit wonder and an overnight sensation is the consistency of their creative work, their long-term significance for the scene. Unleashed count without doubt among the death metal elite and are also considered pioneers of a Nordic mythology metal of the special variety. Since the beginning of the Nineties, the quartet from Sweden have come up with wonderful albums that have regularly caused a stir on the scene and have been celebrated enthusiastically by their fans. Unleashed signed a new contract with Steamhammer/SPV in summer 2006, bringing out their current release and eighth studio album, Midvinterblot. The audience had better prepare themselves for a tough-as-nails metal manifesto bursting with energy and the “high level” mentality that is so typical of this band. “Get ready for one of the most impressive albums in the history of death metal,” band leader Johnny Hedlund warns his fans. “The new contract with SPV marks the start of a totally new era of extreme music … the era of warriors!”

Starting with the tough opener, ‘Blood Of Lies’, Unleashed prove for over 45 minutes that these words are more than mere lip service but actually reflect reality. Whether in brutal numbers such as ‘We Must Join With Him’, doom-laden compositions along the lines of ‘In Victory Or Defeat’, ‘Psycho Killer’, ‘Salvation for Mankind’ and ‘Triumph Of Genocide’, the four musicians, Johnny Hedlund, Tomas Måsgard, Fredrik Folkare and Anders Schultz, always keep the energy at the same level. All in all, Unleashed drive home their merciless riffs and rhythms on Midvinterblot through fifteen brand-new songs without ever taking the foot off the accelerator.

There are no compromises with other varieties of the genre, Unleashed live up to their awesome reputation in every single track, yet prove themselves to be a contemporary band that has developed in terms of craftsmanship and composition. “Naturally, every new release marks a number of developments, but we have never changed the basic elements of our music,” drummer Anders Schultz explains. “Starting with our first album, we did what we wanted to do, i.e. simply play death metal, and if and when we change this we will also have to change the band name. It’s as simple as that!”

Unleashed’s typical Viking lyrics are also part of the unmistakable philosophy that has been considered good form with the band from Scandinavia for over fifteen years. “To us, these lyrics are part of the story,” Schultz explains, adding: “Viking stories simply fit in well with the sound of death metal. Other bands sing about gore, death or war - we wrap our aggressive lyrics in Viking mythology.”

And they have been doing this for over one and a half decades with truly impressive results. Unleashed have been around since the end of the Eighties and have - merely interrupted by a brief creative break at the end of the Nineties - released seven studio albums and two live cuts. Bassist and vocalist Johnny Hedlund founded the band in 1989, following the demise of the unforgotten death metal underground pioneers, Nihilist, releasing in 1991 together his new line-up Unleashed’s debut, Where No Life Dwells, featuring a pitch-black orientation in terms of music and lyrics. Tours with acts such as Death, Morbid Angel, At The Gates, Cannibal Corpse, Bolt Thrower or Samael frequently documented the group’s exceptional position. Their masterpiece, Shadows In The Deep, arrived in 1992 and saw Unleashed embark on a successful course once and for all. Following the release of Warrior, they brought out a glorious comeback album in Hell’s Unleashed.

With their eighth studio album and SPV debut, Midvinterblot, UNLEASHED has further refined their nearly unmatched ability to craft uncompromisingly heavy material that crackles with infectious creativity while never resorting to the speed-by-the-numbers routine that has marginalized too many of their counterparts. Forged with the blood and spirit of their Viking ancestors and tempered with the bands patented razor-sharp attack, Midvinterblot storms the shores brandishing a smoldering, ferocious intensity that instantly vaults the album into the realm of death metal's very best.

Like a fire raging atop the hallowed walls of Valhalla, Midvinterblot stands proud as a beacon that shall summon all true warriors towards their ultimate destination. All hail the masters return!