Solid, tight and downright compelling: that's what I shall say about this Demo by Italian Metallers KRYGAR. "From The Lands Of North" is a five-track record released independently as a very promising Melodic Death Metal act.

The last thing you'd expect to hear about KRYGAR after having heard their demo is they're Italian! The music is an amalgam of Old School/Viking Swedish Death Metal such as AMON AMARTH (something about them definitely reminds me of DISSECTION as well) and typical Finnish Melodeath, this might be due to the band's Power Metal origins.

Every track is different yet the whole Demo has a uniform, fluid and seamless touch. Christian's powerful growl over crunchy and catchy riffs and anthemic choruses make this demo one hell of a record, especially for a demo. The production is top-notch, and again, those Italians did an impeccable work at re-created a true "Northern" sound, so to speak.  Yet still, the band is well beyond a mere Melodic Death Metal legacy rip-off. KRYGAR displayed their potential of writing vigorous material that features prominent Viking Metal influence while still preserving a decent style devoid of any clichés.

"From The Lands Of North" is roughly twenty-one minutes yet flows so smoothly that it actually sounds much shorter. Songs like "Blood" and "Fight for Your Life" are instantly-likeable. However, I find "Bloody Flag" to be the most enjoyable track on this Demo. "Guardian of Cemetery" and "Cry of the Banshee" sound a tad Thrashy and have a slightly different vibe with minor Black Metal influences but are still perfectly-fitting among other material.

KRYGAR did an amazing job for a demo. "From The Lands Of North" is definitely promising and I would strongly recommend that to fans of Epic Melodic Death Metal.