Heavy Load was formed by two brothers Ragne and Styrbjorn Wahlquist 50 years ago in Stockholm, Sweden in the winter of 1974-75.As producers and owners of the Thunderload Studio they shaped a sound that quickly became the blueprint for European Doom Metal starting with Candlemass'  “Epicus Doomiscus Metallicus” album followed by the bands iconic “Nightfall” The Vikings heritage has been an an important source of inspiration ever since their childhood and the brothers emotional connection to people of a remote past, hence the song writing and album artwork a Seventies Rock with Viking settings which became Viking Metal, inspiring later bands from Sweden and around the globe. The brothers song writing also are songs and stories are set in other settings connected to the brothers emotional life. This is Heavy Loads fifth album, the first album since 1983 hence their 40^th Anniversary Album.

“Ride The Night” kicks off the album its a old fashioned Heavy Metal Track of old fast paced, nice crunchy guitars riffs, with keys blended in which makes it a little different and unique. ”We Rock The World” is has a classic Seventies classic feel to it, the guitar riff sounds so cool with the synth melodies and vocals. ”Walhalla Warriors” has some orchestral moments which work well with the heavy sound ,a song which is more of a story about the mighty Vikings. ”Angel Dark” follows, It is in the same vain but has heavier riffs. ”Slave No More” is a nearly eight and a half minutes long track which is another song which is more of a story ,a bit more dramatic and operatic vocals, with some nice guitar riffs. ”Raven Calling” is a heavy track mixed with synths  and violins which make this track sound more dramatic and powerful, I guess this is Viking Metal! “Sail Away” is another track which sounds so good mixed with those orchestral parts of the song which make it a music spectacle. ”Butterfly Whispering” a bonus track, is a acoustic instrumental which sounds really relaxing ,It is played superbly a beautiful peace of music.

“Riders Of The Last Storm” is a good album. I had never heard of Heavy Load before I got asked to review this album, never heard of Viking Metal! but I appreciate good music. I love the way that it sounds dramatic, the orchestral parts in-twined in that heavy metal its very clever and well put together. Definitely worth listening to, its a great listening experience.