The fifth album by Argentine metal band Skiltron sees them plant their flag firmly in Scottish soil. They clearly hold Scotland dear to their hearts as they adeptly plait together classic metal with nods to thrash and doom with plenty of bagpipes added to the mix. "Highland Blood" opens things up in rip-roaring fashion. Bagpipes are skilfully added to the pounding thrash metal drums that emphasis their warrior spirit. Thematically the album follows the medieval lines of uniting clans to fight, presumably, the English. These are impassioned songs of courage and patriotism with odes to brave warriors wielding their mighty swords.

That fervent spirit is maintained throughout the album. "Committed To The Call" opens with swelling synths and a steady bass line before a classic metal riff and bagpipes take over. The song clearly takes its cues from British metal greats Iron Maiden and Judas Priest at their most epic. "Sailing Under False Flags" is a rollicking pirate drinking anthem perfect for those joyous days of looting and plunder. You can almost taste the mead and salty sea air. "The Taste of Victory" possesses a memorable, galloping sing-a-long chorus akin to Saxon at their most exhilarating. "Sawney Bean Clan" is one example where the band shows off their more folk metal side. It contains a particularly bouncy distorted riff that gives it a rousing quality. "All Men Die" exhibits plenty of metal fury. It is by far the fastest song on the album in a Judas Priest-do-thrash way. It is a welcome rush of adrenaline after the number of mid-paced songs that make up the second half of the album. Album closer "I'm Coming Home" is a patriotic sing-a-long epic that will make you want to don a kilt and strap on a sporran.

Calling this album a folk metal album is something of a misnomer. This is straight up heavy metal served with a Scottish twist. The use of bagpipes is handled with restraint and adds something interesting to the songs. The main criticism would be that there are one or two too many mid-paced songs. The second half of the album gets bogged down with patriotic calls to arms over often ponderous would-be-epics. When the band ups the intensity they really are something to behold. On the whole it is an accessible entry point to the band and the whole Celtic metal movement. That said there is still plenty to enjoy for all lovers of heavy and thrash metal.

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