Heavy Metal doesn't come more "true" than Grand Magus and I salute them for it – Ave!

Stockholm's "Old Guard Metal Lords" Grand Magus return with their first album since 2016's 'Sword Songs' and a mighty reawakening it is too! 'Wolf God' finds the sledgehammer-heavy power trio in indomitable form, taking no prisoners, snapping necks and breaking skulls with their inimitable, timelessly bombastic class and style. I've seen this hoary Swedish mob play live all over Europe through the years and these new tracks are guaranteed to be total crowd pleasers wherever they are played.

Guitarist/lead vocalist Janne "JB" Christoffersson, bassist Mats "Fox" Skinner and much-famed drummer Ludwig Witt (Spiritual Beggars) are masters of the heavy riff, their music being crushing yet tunefully crafted; it's an art that a lot of other bands could do well to learn from. No-one is suggesting that Grand Magus are reinventing the Heavy Metal "wheel", but what they do is simply excel in its execution and you simply cannot find fault with this at all.

Curiously, as I write this review, there is little or no information about a release date and no accompanying media notes/bio either. Even their own social media platforms are stubbornly unhelpful – which is most frustrating! I do know they worked with producer Staffan Karlsson (Arch Enemy/Firewind/Spiritual Beggars) and a fine job he has done as well. I find myself thoroughly enjoying the bludgeon riffola of powerhouse numbers such as 'Dawn Of Fire', 'Glory To The Brave' and 'A Hall Clad In Gold'.

The group's music hits a swaggering groove with ease; there is nothing forced nor manufactured about their sound or feel and it's as organic as it's possible to get. You can see why Amon Amarth have chosen the band to be their tour-mates this time around – it's a totally natural pairing. For interested festival-goers in the UK and Europe, the group have so far been confirmed for both the Bloodstock and Summer Breeze Open Air events with other appearances still to be announced before the summer season commences.

Heavy Metal doesn't come more "true" than Grand Magus and I salute them for it – Ave!

Chris O'Connor