Viking Metal, when you think about it there are no other two things that mix together like Viking themes and Metal music. Yes the ancient Viking warriors heralding axes that managed conquests over Europe, probably have never though that one day they would be immortalized by Metal music.

"Tiwaz" is the fifth release of German based Viking Black Metal band THRUDVANGAR. Everything sounds meaner in German; add the theme and the music and you should have an explosive Metallic shell. The real issue is that I never listened to any of their previous albums so I dived in with a clear mind and here is what I found.

Through "Tiwaz" there is a mix of traditional Black with some touches of Death Metal and some melodic parts, hence the Viking Black Metal deliverance. However it does seem that THRUDVANGAR concentrated on the blackened matter, yet it didn't diminish anything from the album's quality, just change of focus.

Be sure not to miss "Sonnenwende" delivering a classic type Black Metal with energetic tempo, great riff and squeamish vocals very IMMORTAL oriented. "Der Letzte Weg" bounded by the great Viking musical directive, surging with powerful main riff. A great song indeed.

The best comes near the end with "Heimat" that intros with an acoustic guitar and low whispers that evolves into to a massive Black Metal riffing incorporated with tremolo picking thrills, largely incorporated to old school Death blasphemies, a classic in the making.

Overall, "Tiwaz" turned out to be a great Viking Metal album, blackened as it can get with several glimpses towards past horizons.