HAVAMAL were formed in 2016, and they are from Stockholm, Sweden. The melodic Death Metal outfit released one EP and two full-length albums. Their third album "Ages Of The Gods" has a length of 45 minutes and it was produced by HAVAMAL. It was released via Spanish Metal label Art Gates Records. The album starts with an orchestral, tension-building intro to "The Pagan Path", leading into a mid-tempo verse part with tight guitar riffing. The vocals are growls varying around the medium end of the guttural range. The orchestral arrangements remain very prominent throughout the track, with the strings and brass being the main contributors. The track offers an extended break, introduced by the strings, however, at its center there is a contributing lead guitar solo. The melodies of the track are dark with the chorus melodies being epic, intensified by the orchestral arrangements. "Wolfraiders" continues with the dark sound at mid-tempo. The guitar riffs are powerful and tight, while the melodies remind me on classical melodeath themes. The vocals offer some tonal shifts towards higher pitched growls. There are prominent orchestral arrangements during most parts of the track. The highlight is the extended lead guitar solo. Altogether, the track has many ARCH ENEMY vibes.

"The Day Of Reckoning" starts powerful at a measured tempo with thunderous guitar riffs accompanied by the strings. The vocals utilize a few deeper growls during the verse parts. The melodies are grim, melancholic at times, and epic during the choruses. The break is introduced by the strings and brass, while the vocals have choir support. The lead guitar solo is excellent, and it uses twin guitars. "The Day Of Reckoning" was released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below. "Sigmund Fafnirshame" has a fast start with tight guitar riffs accompanied by the orchestral arrangements. The growling vocals are a bit higher compared to the previous track. While most of the verse parts are fast with powerful guitar riffs, there are some twists in between, where the tempo slows down and the orchestral arrangements get more prominent. The break is played at mid-tempo with a never-ending lead guitar solo driving the track forward. The growls during the choruses are slightly deeper compared to the verse parts. "The Shaman" starts frantic with a blast-beat thunderstorm, leading into a mid-tempo verse part. The guitar riffing is thunderous at times, while the melodies have plenty of Folk vibes, in particular during the choruses. The orchestral arrangements are, once again, very prominent, with the strings leading the charge. During the break, the tempo slows down to a measured tempo for the lead guitar solo. "The Shaman" is one of the album highlights.

The strings introduce "Hymns Of The Fallen". It transitions into a verse part at mid-tempo with powerful guitar riffs, and a delivery of a catchy but dark melodic framework. The track has hardly any changes in rhythm, with verse, chorus parts, and break all being at the same pace. There is a lot of instrumental work going onto the track, in particular during its middle part.  "Lokis Damnation" is another mid-tempo track with powerful guitar riffs during the verse parts, accompanied by a lot of double-bass drumming. The orchestral arrangements are mostly in the background; however, the strings and the brass are notable at times. The melodies remain dark, and they are catchy during the choruses. The break is introduced by the strings, and they lead into an extended and contributing lead guitar solo. The album finishes with "Ashwalker" and it has a fast start with the guitars and the double-bass drumming. The verse part is at mid-tempo with thunderous guitar riffs supported by the strings and the brass. There are some fast episodes in between with tight guitar riffs and the double-bass. The choruses deliver epic melodies, while the break offers another contributing lead guitar solo. "Ashwalker" represents the main album sound very well and is a good way to end the album.

HAVAMAL deliver a good third album. "Ages Of The Gods" is a symphonic melodic Death Metal album, driven by a strong orchestral component, which is a main contributor to the epic melodeath sound. The lead guitar solos are a standout feature of the album. The melodies are often dark but not overly melancholic. The album is well produced. "Ages Of The Gods" is not a classical melodic Death Metal album due to the prominent orchestrations. It is also not the classical symphonic Death Metal album due to the presence of a strong (catchy) melodic component. Melodic Death Metal fans, who have a soft spot for orchestral arrangements will like the album of HAVAMAL.