German Melodic Death Metal outfit Battlesword returns with their fifth studio full-length (XX)V – Of Tales And Tragedies. This is a landmark release as it also marks their twenty-fifth anniversary, hence the (XX)V.
Battlesword – (XX)V – Of Tales And Tragedies (MDD Records)
Release Date: 26 September 2024
Words: Jools Green
Sound-wise, there is a strong echo of ’90s Swedish Death Metal in a similar way to the work of Rogga Johansson, which also carries that same echo. So it is an instant winner for me. Lyrically, Battlesword are once more regaling tales across the subjects of death, battles, religion and mythology.
(XX)V – Of Tales And Tragedies delivers eleven tracks, spanning just under the fifty-minute mark. We open with The Apparition, a reflective guitar-led, scene-setting instrumental that flows into Memento (te hominem esse), an up-tempo driver interspersed with hugely engaging bursts of an up-tempo repeating melody that packs an immediate punch.
A strong message is delivered both here and on every track. A key factor for me is Axel’s vocals, deep and raw growls with superbly sustained protraction.
That engaging edge is maintained with the predominantly up-tempo chugger Break The Seven Seals, which has repeating, dramatic, sinister pace drops. Midway, there is the added impact of a sinister spoken element and also an extra vocal element towards the close in the shape of higher, more acidic vocals.
The next piece, Brethren Of The Sword, could definitely be seen as an introspective homage by the band to themselves. Again, an up-tempo, head nodding, repeating riff-fest, the vocals are superbly protracted over the top and some rousing militaristic blasts of drum work.
Into The Maelstrom Of Old opens on reflective, clean guitarwork followed by slow, crushing riffs and pounding drum rhythms with a suitably protracted vocal delivery. The melodic side is haunting and dark, making it an understatedly powerful piece.
Opening and closing on the sound of crows, Follow The Deathbird’s Call begins on superbly haunting riffs that drop away at the arrival of the vocals. It is an engagingly evocative piece with riffs that rise and fall in repeating waves delivered once again at a slower, heavy pace.
Obsidian Faces starts to bring the pace up. It is a gradual builder with sharp riffs and slick direction switches, breaking into a brief, intense frenzy of drum battery and intense riffing midway through. The second half takes on a more haunting mood before another of those intense drum and riff bursts. The superbly protracted growls towards the close are just superb.
Storm Of The Coffin-born bursts forth as another pounding driver, the vocals cutting through with sinister precision and unnerving protraction. A hugely engaging piece with complex twists and drops.
Initially haunting and reflective to open, The Days That Never Were pans out into another punch-delivering beast but with a reflective side and surprising pace switches, all of which are guaranteed to hold your interest. That haunting reflective melody returns midway and again towards the close.
The longest piece, You Are The Fire, at over seven minutes, is another predominantly driving beast but has interesting dropbacks which feature swathes of haunting, clean backing vocals, adding another dimension to the sound.
Final offering, the keyboard based instrumental A New Hope, is another reflective piece that rounds the album off nicely.
As with the predecessor, (XX)V was recorded and mixed by Michael “‘Freio’ Haas at the Big Easy Studio in Hennef. The mastering was once again done by Dan Swanö.
This is an album which should be of interest to fans of lldisposed, Deserted Fear, Amon Amarth and Swedish Death Metal in general, particularly anything by Rogga Johansson.
(XX)V – Of Tales and Tragedies will be available in jewel case CD and vinyl format via MDD Records or digitally via (XX)V – Of Tales And Tragedies | Battlesword (bandcamp.com).
