Vredehammer is a metal band out of Norway. They have released several EP's over the years, but only one prior full length called Vinteroffer. They have also toured extensively in various countries with the likes of Vreid, Keep of Kalessin, and Satyricon. Now in 2016, they have released their sophomore effort, Violator. I am happy to say that, new to the group, I am quite impressed.
Whether you're a fan or not, there is a strong Lamb of God comparison here. The vocal approach is quite similar to Blythe's, as are a few of the groove metal riffs that have been infused with a certain Southern-fried style. "Deadfall" is perhaps the most obvious track carrying these similarities, but they permeate throughout the majority of the runtime. However, as is sometimes the case, getting the elements in just the right proportion can cause me to overlook a lack of originality. This is absolutely the case with Violator.
The pummeling double bass, the incredibly energetic hooks, the powerful vocal performance: it all adds up to a well-played and highly enjoyable experience. Hell, "Deadfall" is probably my favorite track. Furthermore, this is closer to my favorite era of Lamb of God (As the Palaces Burn) than the last decade of LoG albums. It has that dark, unpolished quality that make tracks like "Cyclone" sound so raw.
To avoid beating a dead horse, I also want to mention the aspects of the album that branch out in unrelated ways before closing out this review. "Ursus" and the killer closing track "Blodhevn" are more in line with the viking metal style of groups like Amon Amarth. Riffs abandon (or at least pull back from) the thrashy groove in favor of a particularly folky brand of melodic death metal ripe for war charges. It was a nice added touch that increased the level of variety and also proved that Vredehammer have more than just one style in their repertoire.
If the stream below catches your fancy, you can order Violator (out March 18th) via Indie Recordings at this link: http://www.indierecordings.no/vredehammer