review by: Roberto Martinelli

Part two of two of this latest, Viking inspired chapter from this metal institution features more of the same vibe found on part one, and even more bad yet epic singing. But we love it because it’s Bathory.

Truly, now, the singing is very, very bad - like the worst stuff in Nordland I, but throughout the entire record, and much worse even than the landmark Twilight of the Gods album. The sort of melodic, kind of screamed and very strained vocals work if you try hard throughout to keep in mind that the singer is a Viking warrior. I mean, beyond the mastery of the patented “o-o-o-o” style, Vikings aren’t supposed to be able to sing well, are they? (Well, not the men, anyway.)

This aside, the music on Nordland II is perhaps the most epic yet from this seminal metal band. Things get more aggressive at times, like on the thrashy parts of “Death and Resurrection of a Northern Son,” but mostly the music speaks of how fucking great it is to be a Scandinavian warrior. The sound has a definite old school feel to it, and those who have loved Bathory for a long time will surely not be disappointed.

And that’s really it in a nutshell. Bathory fans will love this, but Johnny-come-latelys might not get what the big whoop is all about. Being into Bathory is as much about being interested in the music as it is in the mystique and history, and if you get that, then buy this record.