Next month Swedish masters of painstaking traditionalism - AMBUSH will release their debut effort called "Firestorm" on High Roller records. Two back to back songs from this upcoming devastation are featured on the faithful single "Natural Born Killers", made available on black and white 7" vinyl. High Roller Records always chose to support the bands who are truly driven, thereby letting them burn with their own ambition. Recently at Ragnarokker 2014, I purchased the JAG PANZER - "Ample Destruction" re-master CD offered from this label.

Växjö's AMBUSH released a four song demo in August 2013. They filmed a rough and raw video for the catchy song "Don't Shoot (Let The Burn)". Linus the drummer is wearing a MERCYFUL FATE shirt. About a minute and 20 seconds in one of their female Hellbound fans even gives us a glimpse of her dedication. The war footage adds to the sensationalism, and I like the nostalgic elements as well; especially when they demonstrate their album on cassette.

Overall, AMBUSH represent that classic early 80's sound like Chicago's own METALUSAFER or another band I saw at the festival  -  Sword & Chains Records artist: VISIGOTH who hail from Salt Lake City, Utah - home of the look of the Morman. However, this act are a bit more epic and heavily influenced by the likes of early TWISTED TOWER DIRE, OMEN, and CRIMSON GLORY. Whereas AMBUSH maintain that SWEDISH sound similar to GOTHAM CITY, OVERDRIVE, MEAN STREAK, SCREAMER, or KATANA. Although, Oskar does sing similar to Jonny Aune when he was with VIPER and now that he fronts TTD.

None of the two - in your face - propositions are involute or strike with a wizard of Ahhs of Oohs, neither will make you quiver or quail, but they still stand out as well-penned compositions.  The obvious MAIDEN & PRIEST offerings are ever present, but digging below the surface, more subtleties are unearthed. "Natural Born Killers" is a bit simple and more Rockin' and it seems to borrow from a Molotov cocktail of ignited inspiration including: TYGERS OF PAN TANG, TOKYO BLADE, VIRTUE, JAGUAR, and BLEAK HOUSE while the more prolonged and enduring "Heading East" has a BATTLEZONE, PRAYING MANTIS, HOLLOW GROUND, CLOVEN HOOF meets TRAITOR"S GATE often purgatorial perpetration. Oskar Jacobsson's range is more pronounced as he adds the necessary screams. The bellicose and historical lyrics make this a better selection, and the gang vocal shouts give it a bit more of the Teutonic terror vibe in the vein of SCANNER, TYRAN PACE, NOISEHUNTER, or GRAVESTONE.

I am excited to hear more beastly, preternatural, burning, killer cuts hopefully heading my way soon...