Essentially speedy power metal with blackened death vocals, these Germans cover all the bases, from the Manowar-length spoken word intro (concept/story regarding Norse mythology) to singing half of their Celtic-influenced battle metal hymns in their native tongue, a few also in English. The narration (after nearly every track, makes the presentation stilted and recorded at a higher volume, makes listening a little difficult (one point demerit for shoddy production).‘Gullveig’ is a lilting violin and pipe jig. ‘Das Unterpfand’ also makes use of the violin, before breaking into more deadly territory. ‘Von Rachsucht Und Luege gallops on a familiar grandiose Teutonic beer hall rhythm, as does ‘Burn Vanaheim’, one of the few English lyric tunes. ‘Andacht’ shows why German is typically not used in low, acoustic ballads, the guttural language a bit too morose for soft, caring passages. The concluding Soeldnerschwein begins with concertina and fiddle (even banjo a little later), before becoming a lively multi-voiced sing-along. Alestorm would kill for a song like this. Pass the stein!