Like quaffing on a horn of ale Finland's mighty Turisas' latest effort is meaty, intoxicating, and leaves you wanting more. "Battle Metal" as an album comprises of a mixture of folk, black and pure heavy metal that is always more than simply a sum of its parts.

Following the haunting instrumental opening of "Victoriae & Triumphi Dominus", "As Torches Rise" hits you in the face like some sort of axe of pure folk metal power and if it wasn't for the later track "Rex Regi Rebellis" this would undoubtedly be the highlight of the album. Following this is the equally strong "Battle Metal" (a re-made version of the track "The Heart of Turisas" from their demo) and these two songs form a strong opening that quite simply wants to make you jig, not a quality you find in many metal songs these days. Indeed Turisas' blend of jolly violins and accordions and riffing almost black metal guitars is not the sort of music your typical metal fan could merely sit listening to as it almost demands some sort of activity to go with its boisterous styles!

"Battle Metal" is not without its weaknesses however. Tracks such as "The Messenger" and "Land Of Hope and Glory" whilst enjoyable on there own do not seem to fit into the pace and style of the album when taken as a whole. "Land Of Hope And Glory" in particular is jarring from the overall mood of the album with its use of samples in the intro which break the listener from the dark ages vibe the band had so masterfully created previously. Luckily this effect is not truly jarring enough to truly spoil the enjoyment of the album.

Undoubtedly this is an album that will not appeal to all; If you find the idea of a group of Finnish men taking on such names as "Warlord Nygård", dressing up like warriors and playing songs about epic battles and Paganism at all over the top or silly then "Battle Metal" is not for you. Unlike some other bands who have such "unique" elements there is nothing arch or knowing about Turisas' efforts at such and this straight faced delivery for myself made the album only more enjoyable.

Overall "Battle Metal" is a very strong debut release despite a few weaker tracks and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has taken interest in the growth of such Folk and "Viking" bands such as Finntroll, however, such a comparison is not entirely accurate as "Battle Metal" is unique enough to have an identity, and hopefully a fan base, all of its own.

Standout Tracks:  As Torches Rise, Rex Regi Rebellis, Battle Metal.

Overall Score:   8 /10