Review by Adam M on May 27, 2025.

This is a solid album that has all the ingredients to move the discography of Amorphis forward. It is more accessible than previous works and features a very spiffy and nicely produced sound. This is perfect for a modern Amorphis vibe because it is catchy and easy to digest. There is also a folk aspect that makes the songs vibrant and full of life.

The musicianship on the album is solid with melodic guitars leading the charge. The vocal performance is as strong as ever on an Amorphis album and rises above the rest of the musical aspect to make this album vibrant and strong. This is also a nicely produced and fits in nicely with the more modern Amorphis sound.

If there is a flaw to the album it is that it is not as innovative as Elegy, for example and simplu and extension of their previous material into something fresh and exciting. This shows itself in the manner of crafting something new and exciting and simply providing more excellent tunes by the outfit. It won’t turn any heads with seemingly more of a good thing on display.

In conclusion, Skyforger is a high point in the band’s discography, but does indeed take a backseat to the wonderful Elegy album. It is another helping of beautiful folk influenced music by the band and is as strong as any in their catalogue for the most part. Fans of the band will be highly interested in checking this album out.

Rating: 7.5/10

Review by Felix on May 28, 2023.

Double strike! Fasten seat belts, because "Angel Cry" and "End of Time" kick off the ninth full-length of Sabina and her instrumental supporters in a very impressive way. A smooth riff creates a frictionless flow, the chorus connects a somehow cosmic guitar with the background inferno and sticks in the mind in a matter of seconds, while the energizing speed of the song completes the picture. "End of Time" scores with its dynamic tempo changes, the high degree of pressure and the effective, drilling chorus. After many, too many albums without real killer tracks, these two fireworks light up the sky in the most glittering colours. With a view to the discography of Holy Moses, this opening begs the question of whether "Strength Power Will Passion" is able to endanger the top position of "Finished With the Dogs". Unfortunately, the masterpiece from the year 1987 remains untouched, not only for nostalgic reasons.

This is not to say that the album has nothing else to offer than its first two highlights. The easily memorable chorus of the rapid "I Will" leaves its mark in view of the effective back vocals and the mid-harsh "Sacred Crystals" connects crude melodies during the verses with an intensifying chorus. Needless to say that the barking of Sabina adds the extra portion of rudeness. Nevertheless, the record does not achieve the density and intensity of the band's reference work. Songs like the double bass driven "Symbol of Spirit" are absolutely okay, but this highly appreciated pinch of insanity is missing. Anyway, the here presented work confirms the upward trend of "Disorder of the Order". Rather boring pieces like the slow-moving "Space Clearing" remain exceptional, because a proper number of ominous leads offer good entertainment.

Some parts of the songs border on punk and hardcore. The staccato of the back vocals and the stubbornness of the unswerving gang point in this direction as well. Finally, the voluntary renunciation of unusual or even progressive song patterns underlines the weakness of the band members for simple music. Admittedly, the album fails to transport the feeling of juvenile anger which is typical for hardcore formations, but I do not think that Holy Moses had the intention to create the most impulsive approach. Instead, the full-length shows a more or less mature facet of the formation. Sabina and her motivated guys are able to channel their energy in a clever way. I still worship the aspiration for total annihilation that Holy Moses celebrated on "Finished with the Dogs", but the accurate method on "Strength Power Will Passion" commands respect, too. No doubt, the second half of the full-length is not overloaded with brilliant compositions (the verses of "Rebirthing" are lent from "In the Slaughterhouse", albeit in a slightly weaker configuration), but the sharp guitar sound and the authentic mentality of the protagonists form solid tracks. Give it a try, the two openers alone are worth the money.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by JD on April 16, 2011.

Every now and then, I come across a band that makes my jaw hit the floor. After all of the years of playing and writing about metal, those times become few and far between as the years pass. I now found that moment again and I cannot believe my ears as UK Prog/Thrash masters Hunted assaults my soul.

Mixing with equal parts of Progressive music and a massive wall of Power/Thrash metal, then add in elements of some classic Speed as well - Hunted is on the prowl for your metallic souls. Sort of like Dream Theatre and older Megadeth with some hinting of Iron Maiden with vocals a la Rob Halford (Judas Priest) as well. It is these parts, that come together to make a headbangers wet dream.

Songs like the strong riff power of 'Chose'n resonate with power while the more lyrically massive track called 'Scars' show this is a band that is at the top of its game. With mega talent as well as this uncanny knack for penning songs that are so intelligent while remaining gigantically heavy... I think bands like Dream Theatre need to be looking over their collective shoulders because Hunted is right on their heels.

I sit here, sipping a coffee and listening to the album again while I finish writing this review. This album still holds such power for me even though I have listened to the album abut twenty times (doing a review, I usually do three or four). This is still as good as the first and I love the Halford like vocals. Must be the old school metalhead in me. It is just a joy to be doing this review right now; looking forward to hearing more from Hunted.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 9.5
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.3 out of 10

Review by JD on April 16, 2011.

Every now and then, I come across a band that makes my jaw hit the floor. After all of the years of playing and writing about metal, those times become few and far between as the years pass. I now found that moment again and I cannot believe my ears as UK Prog/Thrash masters Hunted assaults my soul.

Mixing with equal parts of Progressive music and a massive wall of Power/Thrash metal, then add in elements of some classic Speed as well - Hunted is on the prowl for your metallic souls. Sort of like Dream Theatre and older Megadeth with some hinting of Iron Maiden with vocals a la Rob Halford (Judas Priest) as well. It is these parts, that come together to make a headbangers wet dream.

Songs like the strong riff power of 'Chose'n resonate with power while the more lyrically massive track called 'Scars' show this is a band that is at the top of its game. With mega talent as well as this uncanny knack for penning songs that are so intelligent while remaining gigantically heavy... I think bands like Dream Theatre need to be looking over their collective shoulders because Hunted is right on their heels.

I sit here, sipping a coffee and listening to the album again while I finish writing this review. This album still holds such power for me even though I have listened to the album abut twenty times (doing a review, I usually do three or four). This is still as good as the first and I love the Halford like vocals. Must be the old school metalhead in me. It is just a joy to be doing this review right now; looking forward to hearing more from Hunted.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 9.5
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.3 out of 10