England-based duo FOREFATHER are back with a reissue of their 2000 belter "The Fighting Man". Their sound is not one easily pinpointed as it changes so much throughout the album. I had done no prior reading or listening to FOREFATHER before this review and I'm so glad I didn't. I'm like a child in a candy store with this release. They have been around for almost 20 years and have continued to release solid, enjoyable albums so I feel privileged to be able to review such an iconic album.

Right from the first note of the title track we're greeted to aggressive tremolo riffs that stay throughout the album. The vocals are no doubt the focal point of the entire album, they can go from brutal Black Metal-esque screeching to calming and soft clean vocals in a split second. The tempo changes in this album are second to none, one minute you will feel like charging into battle and the next, drinking mead with your Viking brethren. No matter what you're looking for in this album, likelihood is you are going to find it.

The stand out track for me comes in the form of "Together They Stood". Everything is so beautifully done. The music in this track evokes feelings, passion and emotions. The clean vocals are especially beautiful. You can hear the pagan undertones in his vocal structure and it makes for extremely enjoyable listening.

My only pet peeve with this album is the guitars have a tendency to overdo the main riff in some tracks and sound very "mechanical". Now, you may be thinking what I mean by mechanical, well, have you ever download audio mixing software and was having a play around with the samples on there? Well, that's what the guitars tend to sound like in some points. It's hard to imagine an actual person playing the instrument.

I am making no qualms about admitting that I adore this album and I am shocked at myself that I'd never had the pleasure of listening to this duo before. This is a tradition I will not be keeping from here on out. Any metal fan in any shape or form will find something to love about this album. This is one record that needs to take pride of place in your collection.