This ladies and gentlemen, is the sequel following the previously released EP The Clans Are Marching which Rebellion released to prepare the public for their planned masterful lesson in power that is Arise: From Ginnungagap To Ragnarok - History of the Vikings, Vol. III. This mighty, rebellious, pagan, epic and majestic effort might just be the best power metal I have heard in a very long time. I was not very fond of their earliest albums, but the aforementioned EP and this, which by the way sounds like a highly successful fusion of Grave Digger and Forefather, is very able to kick your ass all over Midgard. Very few power metal bands can be described with words of powerful caliber like face-stomping or head-smashing, and very few can be said to have an overflow of manly genitals. Rebellion possesses whatever is necessary to deliver a heathen blast to the stomach, and whoever was excited for their EP will not be disappointed in the slightest.

Following the same path that Wizard took earlier this year, Rebellion slams a massive jug of mead in the wooden table and set out to plunder and conquer new realms with pure force. Though this a bit harsher than Wizard, the message is the same and Rebellion delivers it just as good if not better than their fellow label-mates. This isn’t very speedy, but the heavily chugging riffs, absolutely brilliantly performed, rumbling and thunderous vocals provided by Metal Chief Michael Seifert and the strictly punishing drums makes you feel trapped in the middle of a battlefield with hordes and hordes of Vikings storming you from every corner of a ruin-filled village. A small down for some may be the constant thick riffing that might come off as a little lackluster when it comes to variation, as well as the fact that some power metal fans might not like the heavy, aggressive, crushing and nearly keyboard-less path they have chosen. However, for us who are sick and tired of the generic power metal bands popping up everywhere covered in Nintendo-sounds should definitely like this, especially if you’re not addicted to speed and prefer mid-paced heavily crushing instead.

For those of you who haven’t noticed yet, Rebellion have with this and their past albums told a story surrounding the Vikings and their beliefs. This is, from what I’ve heard anyway, the last in line. This might just be me, but I find this on a whole different level than their earlier stuff as the quality of the songwriting is much better; they capture the mood perfectly and make you want to turn this right on again when it’s done in the spinner. Listen to the epic and absolutely majestic Thor to get an idea of what this album will deliver. A brilliant track that represents all that is good with this band and alone should be a reason for you to get this. The songs do vary in quality of course, but there is nothing here that can be considered anywhere near filler. Every song has its place, every crushing riff is perfectly placed, and the battering rattling drums will smash everything trying to resist to pieces. War-lord Seifert’s constant battle-cry-bellowing is nothing but inspiring, and no-one can ever question these guys’ engagement.

If you’re looking for downsides, there are very few of them and even less that is worth mentioning. The most distinct and aforementioned, is perhaps that this is not as varied as some may crave for it to be interesting. Well that’s their problem, they’re missing out on what might be power metal album of the year. Highly recommended, this is fucking amazing.