J-Man Although the concept of viking metal will probably feel gimmicky to some people until the end of time, acts like Sweden's Månegarm prove that nothing about the genre has to be inherently cheesy. The band's mix of lethal black metal, folk-inspired melodies, and a deep appreciation for their homeland's mythology has led to a critically successful career spanning nearly twenty years, and with 2013's Legions of the North, these Scandinavian warriors show no sign of slowing down.

I'll confess that this is my first experience with Månegarm's music, but I've been quite impressed with the material offered on their seventh full-length album. The generally epic atmosphere throughout Legions of the North suits the band's bombastic lyrical approach perfectly, and the mighty vocals (delivered in both harsh and clean singing styles) make the experience complete. Though the production is perhaps too polished for fans of blackened folk metal with a raw edge, each instrument here sounds clear and powerful.

Månegarm's strongest asset lies in their ability to create cheese-free viking metal that sounds both instantly catchy and startlingly heavy; whilst it may not seem earth-shattering to experienced listeners, Legions of the North is an exceptionally well delivered album that few metalheads would regret hearing.