Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
It is rare to find yourself in the company of a rampaging jungle beast or the anger of an animal of the plains, one that has come home from a long tiring day at work hunting wildebeest and stamping the timecard without success only to find that their partner has run out of sauce to smother the kill. Anger, boiling rage and seething fury, the lion and the rhino may have it all in abundance when consuming or giving into their very nature, their animalistic experiences but it is nothing when compared to the temper of a band throwing themselves into the pit of aggression with indignation drawn and flashing like a ceremonial blade against the desert sun.
The all encompassing Nordic/Scandinavian Metal scene, one that really has gotten under the skin of anyone who has taken it to their own rampaging hearts, who have gnawed at the carcass of other genres and now suckle with contentment on the feast before them, is to feel the relish on offer from Helhorse and their third, self titled, album.
If a footprint can be captured for all time on a murky beach, then a giant’s or that of the King of the plains will surely test the definition of how Time is measured, for in Helhorse, Time has no dominion except that in what it installs upon itself; the lion may finally succumb to age and the strength of the new pride but no one who ever heard its roar will forget the spine tingling sensation and wonderful fear that shudders through the grooves.
It is in the spectral, almost haunting and demonic vocals of Mikkel Wad Larsen and Aske Kristiansen that dominate the album and as each song comes across the void between speakers and ears, delivered by the lioness offering the body of nutritious slaughter, what is noticeable, what is alarmingly clear is just how brutally cool they are.
In songs such as Among The Wolves, Fortune Favours The Bold, Raise The Black Flag, the fantastic My Haven/ Your Hell and No F**ks Given, Helhorse ooze control, power and genuine cool.
If there is anything rotten, according to the Bard, in the state of Denmark, then Helhorse are right at the front of the fight to offer musical excellence; dramatic and thrilling, some things are worth stalking the plains for.
Helhorse release their third album Helhorse on May 13th.
Ian D. Hall